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HELLO
THE MEIJI TIMES1900
Japan modernizes along Western lines
INSIDE THIS ISSUENews
Japan modernizes along Western lines
Page 2
Japan Financial Crisis
Page 3
Japan’s new fashion
A peasants view
Page 4
Exclusive interview with ex-samurai
Page 5
Issue No. SeventeenT o y k oJAPAN
T E L E P H O N E111-111-111 F A X222-222-222
Samurai on horseback
Samurai Emperor Meiji
At the enthronement of Emperor Meiji, Japans 122nd emperor the Charter Oath was unveiled. It is the first Constitution of Japan. There are 5 articles in this constitution, they are cont. on pg 2
THE MEIJI TIMES! PAGE2
JAPAN MODERNIZES ALONG
WESTERN LINES CONT
1. Deliberative assemblies shall be
widely established and all matters
decided by open discussion.
2. All classes, high and low, shall be
united in vigorously carrying out
the administration of affairs of
state.
3. The common people, no less than
the civil and military officials, shall
all be allowed to pursue their own
calling so that there may be no
discontent.
4. Evil customs of the past shall be
broken off and everything based
upon the just laws of Nature.
5. Knowledge shall be sought
throughout the world so as to
strengthen the foundation of
imperial rule.
The fifth article of the Charter Oath put
into the law that Japan would modernize
along Western lines.
The fifth article of the Charter Oath shows
that Japan would begin to Modernize along
the lines of Western countries, such as
Britain. The goals of the fifth article was to
create a “rich country” and a “strong
military”. These goals were set so that
Japan would never be at the mercy of the
Western countries. They wanted respect
and equality from the western nations. The
Constitution of 1868 was drawn up so that
the articles of the Charter Oath could be
taken into effect.
By Kanawa Yoba
The First steam train from Meiji’s goal of modernization Emperor Meiji
The Charter Oath
THE MEIJI TIMES! PAGE3
The Collector, 1234 Main Street, Any Town, State ZIP | 123-456-7890 | www.apple.com/iwork
FINANCIAL CRISIS IN JAPANThe Meiji government is in a severe financial crisis. After the defeat of the Shogun the cost of funding the war was very high. In 1868 the money spent by the National government equalled to 30 million yen, while the revenue was only 3 million yen. This lead to the severe inflation, and the revenue dropped. To overcome these problems the government adopted the Yen as the basic unit of currency, they also suspended the trade of Clan notes that had been issued by the Daimyo, they also adopted a banking system, and a land tax.
The Banking system was based on the American banking system. Four national banks were started in 1872 under pressure by the National government. By 1875 all the Banks were in financial trouble due to bad management, lack of co-operation and failure to compete with foreign banks and local institutions. In 1882 a European style of bank took the place of the American ones. The Bank of Japan, the first central bank was formed. It also encouraged other
specialized banks to form to finance industry agriculture and foreign trade.
In 1873 the government also set up a new land tax to help generate revenue for the government. Farmers had to pay 3% of their annual crop to the government. It became the largest source of revenue during the Meiji period, and also helped to finance it into its transition into a modern economy.
Zaibatsu were also a key part in helping solve the financial issue in Japan. Zaibatsu were individually owned companies that often grew into large industries. The most notable Zaibatsu’s were Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Yasuda, Furukawa, Kawasak i and Sumitomo.
These 3 main points were how the Japanese economy got back on its feet and help the nation become a “rich country” and have a “strong military”
By Kanawa Yoba
The Yen The Japanese stock market crashing
The Mitsubishi Logo
BUY A NEW SUIT WITH HAT INCLUDED FOR ONLY 10000
THE COLLECTOR! PAGE4
The Collector, 1234 Main Street, Any Town, State ZIP | 123-456-7890 | www.apple.com/iwork
Japan’s new fashion
1900’s Fashion
A peasants view on the Land tax
A Japanese farm
During the Meiji Restoration period, the government decided that Western clothes should be worn for all court and official ceremonies. the Morning coat was the standard dress for most formal occasions. Western style hair was also a big thing. The Western style was seen as a major symbolization of the Westernization in Japan
By Yukabob Onigiri
I feel that the government is taking too much of our produce. There are other ways of getting more revenue, not all of it has to come from us poor farmers. We are the lowest of the people in Japan and yet the government takes the most from us. It is very difficult to get by already without the government taking 3% of what we grow yearly. There are better methods such as taxing the rich, or giving less money to the Daimyo who should change their spending habits
By Yikabob Onigiri
We have just attained an exclusive interview with a Ex-samurai by the name of Taro
Me: What do you do everyday during the Meiji Restoration?
Samurai: I like to write poems nowbecause i have alot of free time
with Japan in peace
Me: Where does your income come from now?
Samurai: I don’t have much income, as my daimyo is used to his old lifestyle and is spending money everywhere. He is broke and the government his helping to pay for me.
Me: How do you feel about the new Charter Oath
Samurai: I feel it constricts my freedom and it has put me lower in the Social class. Now i am not allowed to wear my swords , on ly dur ing ceremonies which i feel reduces my usefulness.
Me: What is your main job now that Japan is unified?
Samurai: Usually i advise the Daimyo and help the government.
Me: What is the role of your swords nowadays?
Samurai: They are just symbolic, i have no use for them, they just show other people that i am of the Samurai class.
Me: How do you feel about the new peasant conscripted army?
Samurai: I don’t like them, because they took my job away. The government would rather use peasants then highly trained soldiers
Me: Well thats all we have time for, thank you Taro for giving us this exclusive interview with you.
By Yukabob Onigiri
InterviewEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH EX-SAMURAI