How Did Industrialism Affect Japan

As we progress through the twenty first century, the once feudal country of Japan has raised its status to the world's third largest industrial producer. It has been one of the most significant and unexpected changes of its recent history since World War II. Plans to overtake the leading industrial countries like the United States, and the European union, by building powerful and technologically advanced industry almost from scratch, and to establish a leading position in the world market, has attracted wonder, and admiration from all over the globe. Japan, a well-known destination, the home of the world’s advanced technologies, and Asia’s wealthiest country, also had its beginnings before becoming a sought after industrialized nation. Japan’s

primary mode of subsistence as an industrialist (Morton & Olenik, 2005) impacted other aspects of its country from economic and political organization, to social change, and even gender relations within the country.
To understand Japan’s tremendous growth it is important to understand the country’s beginnings. Long before Japan became the archipelago, as we now know, it was once connected to the Asian mainland that consisted of China, Korea, and Russia. The earliest society of the country existed between 2500-250 B.C., whom is known as the Jomon people. Jomon is considered to be an ancient pottery and is associated with this culture, thus giving them the name Jamon society. The first inhabitants of Japan were not farmers, but relied on hunting and gathering edible materials from forests for sustenance (Morton & Olenik, 2005). Long before Japan became the industrialized country it is now, its ancient members were foragers. However, the lack of food casted famine over the people, and brought this civilization to an end.
With the end of the Jomon society, a more advanced civilization referred to as Yayoi inhibited Japan. During this era Korea brought modern ideas of the use of metals, and the introduction of agriculture were made. Rice is what made Japan a prosperous nation. Yayoi society was centered on rice cultivation. It became a primary monetary entity used throughout Japan, and was also placed under taxation. It was because of this grain, which united communities, and sustained Japan’s expanding population. Social class started to evolve; there were new forms of power including a hierarchy. Landowners were also given power, because of the land used for farming rice (Morton & Olenik, 2005). During the time of Yayoi, it was clear to see Japan has placed a significant amount of importance on agriculture. Majority of the world’s rice was from farms located on Japan. Over time the country went from being foragers to a more sophisticated civilization, which showcased Japan as an agrarian state. This was the way of living for the Japanese before pre-war.
In 1637 the Tokugawa shogun period threw out all foreigners and closed the country to the world. No Japanese were allowed to travel out, and there were restrictions on who could come to shore. Japan was at peace and there were no wars for the next three hundred years. It is also important to note that during this time period a single emperor ruled Japan, in a feudal system. A feudal system consisted of several classes asides the emperor, which was the shogun, daimyo, samurai, craftsmen, fishermen, and merchants. It was the Tokugawa era that became the foundation of modern Japan. They did not cave into the pressure from the outside world, and kept to themselves. During the three hundred years with no contact with the Americans, Japan kept track of their progress through literature. Decades later they realize that Japan could not become a better country if they continued to live in isolation. The decision to finally let down their guard, were to learn the ways of the westerners.
One of the most dramatic changes occurred during the Meiji era. It was in this era between 1868 and 1912 that lead to the industrialization of Japan. Meiji leaders were convinced that Japan would have to make fundamental changes. Within fifty years, Japan traded in hundreds of years of history of having a feudal structure in order to become a modern nation. The emperor of this era believed that by modernizing, and industrializing Japan it would become a stronger nation. Japanese advisors would leave the country to observe and take note of twelve other countries. On their return the Japanese noted the West’s had a varied stages of economic and a strong military unit. That was exactly the same goals of the Japanese, which was to build a rich country and strong army (Morton & Olenik, 2005). They will soon take some ideas from the west and implement them in Japan.
Industrialism was on its way, first in a form of economic change.

Rice always played an important role in Japan. It provided food, work, and a way to provide for one’s family. In the early Meiji years Japan had another economic break. Silk was already an establish industry, but it became a favored fabric, and Japan doubled its production with new silk-reeling technology, making it available to local factories. Silk proved to be an important staple for exportation. With new technology available like steam power, that was used in the West. Modern factories could be established at an early stage of the industrialization process. With an abundant labor force, Japan has the potential market and possibilities for export. Since silk was already established in Japan it was encouraged to set up a cotton industry as

well.
Japanese farmers were now treated to a new tax system that was based on Western patterns (Morton & Olenik, 2005). Land tax was now assessed individually rather than at the village level. Taxes were fixed based on the government’s assessment of land, and farmers paid their taxes in money rather than in rice. This was convenient for both the famers and the government. The government was given a certain amount of annual land tax while the farmers prospered when market prices increased. Leaders of the Meiji era were not content to have a country where everyone was fed and peace was characterized the landscape. The goal was to be a first-class nation and the annual collected revenue was insufficient to move Japan to become an industrialized power. So the leaders decided to invest in private individuals rather than state-run industries. The government gave the Mitsubishi family thirty ships and subcontracted the state’s property (Morton & Olenik, 2005). This eventually produced the enormous corporations such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, and Sumitomo.
With the introduction of industrialization in the country of Japan, the political organization gradually changed. It started with the removal of the feudal structure, which was a part of Japan’s history for hundreds of years. There was a final factor that the Meiji leaders needed to make Japan a contender for great power status, and it was a modern constitution. It was purposely made to mirror the world’s most powerful nations. On January 1, 1889 the Meiji emperor presented the new constitution as a gift to the people (Morton & Olenik). Japan’s new constitution was recognized by other nations, and now looked as a modern political institution. However, as years passed the duties as the emperor has lessened, and the system prevented him from making any real decisions. The emperor was no longer all-powerful, but continued to be a symbol of the State and the unity of the people. He was used to display patriotism and for his people to be obedient to the authorities. The actual power of the government was in the ministries and in the military.
Japan’s constitution was re-made four times before they introduced democracy in 1947 (Morton & Olenik, 2005). Their society was thoroughly transformed due to western influences. Power was divided within the Japanese political system, and the people of Japan were all considered equals. The Japanese culture took their work very seriously, and believed to raise above mediocrity it just takes work. And that is what they did. Japan exercised strong control over its business and its citizen. By becoming an industrialist country, the way the government viewed the production of food or any material was an entryway to gain status, power, and money.
There were increased populations in cities, with a decrease in population in farmlands. Since the population was growing in the country, more jobs were needed other than agriculture. More factories were built because of industrialization. Although more tools and machinery were made as well, new jobs were also created to promote more production. The greatest price that the Japanese paid to industrialize the country was the dehumanizing work that was required to keep factories running around the clock. The working condition was not always perfect for the Japanese people. An island termed “Battleship Island” in Japan had mines where people worked in scorching temperatures. Workers whom included men, women, and children removed their clothing before entering the mines, probably due to the heat trapped inside. Miner would sometimes work only on their knees because the tunnels were to low (Morton & Olenik, 2005).
Economic and political changes went hand and hand when it came to industrial change. The country of Japan like all others was once foragers. They grew into more sophisticated civilization, and realized they could be better. As the country grew they had to find new ways to provide for its people. When industrialism was introduced it affected the government, and as politics changed, so did the economy. However, that was not the only aspects of culture that were affected by the primary mode of subsistence.
Industrialization also affected social change in Japan. They were so focused on becoming a country that was equal with all the other great nations of the world (Morton & Olenik). They placed a great importance on becoming a better society that children learned to grasp that concept at a very young age. Even educators even pressed that onto their students. During the Meiji period the modernizing Japanese state made a commitment to universal education and literacy. The government sought to prepare all Japanese people for new roles in the industrial economy. Japan provided free public school for the purpose of strengthening the nation. By 1904 the literacy rate was about 90% (Morton & Olenik, 2005). The pressure was sometimes too unbearable for some students, that they would commit suicide. Until to day, Japan has one of the highest rates of suicidal tendencies.
Industrialist views also effects gender relations. Men were very loyal to their companies and they worked very hard. In spite of having one of the highest GNP per capita in the world, men continued to work hard because they still believed that their country was still poor. With all the hard work they put in everyday, they would enjoy a little unwinding at the bar. This eventually led some men to alcoholism. Priorities of a workingman would be his company first and family second. Even on his days off it would be hard to get a hold of him, either because he is catching up on sleep or having leisure time elsewhere. According to Morton & Olenik, working Japanese men were so committed to work it will be problematic for him as he ages. He would be too focus on a career that he never had the chance to find a hobby to enjoy later in life. Eventually, when he reaches retirement, he would become a lost man with no purpose in life. Also having spent little time with his family, he might even see his wife as a complete stranger.
The values of a woman however were kept the same. Family has been always in the center of her life. She would cater to her three dependencies, her father, her husband, and her children. Traditionally, women were kept as housewives. Although during the industrialization, where women were used as labor works in factories ages as young as seven. Women were offered many jobs, and slowly made a transformation into working individuals. Some women would opt out of the traditional marriage, home, and children. It offered more time for them to pursue an education. There was a changing role in society where 90% of enrolled students would be females, and the work force would be 50%. Women were advancing in the industrialized country (Morton & Olenik, 2005).
Social change and gender relations were both affected by industrialism.

It changed the views of the Japanese children and adults. Schools have always been given a heavy responsibility for character formation, and at a young age they were taught one should always strive for better. This somehow also had a negative effect on adolescence as they grew. Placing a high standard that was not met, could lead to a devastating end. There were also drastic changes when it came to gender, especially for women. More doors were opened and it was becoming a social norm for a female to post-pone marriage and children.

For the past two thousand years, the people of Japan have gone through tremendous change: from its first inhabitants of the Jomon people, to the rice production of the Yayoi era, to the change from a feudalism country into a democracy. Japan pulled together its resources and developed a culture that can be globally respected. Although it is not a first world country, its growth in a short period of time has gained a lot of momentum. It was the first Asian nation to industrialize, and to become an economic

powerhouse.