THE MEIJI TIMES Toy k JAP o AN
TEL EP 111 - H O N E 111 111
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1900
Issue No. Seventeen
FAX -222 -222
Japan modernizes along Western lines 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 News
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Japan modernizes along Western lines
Samurai on horseback
Page 2 Japan Financial Crisis Page 3 Japan’s new fashion A peasants view
Samurai
Page 4 Exclusive interview with exsamurai Page 5 HELLO
Emperor Meiji
THE MEIJI TIMES!
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The First steam train from Meiji’s goal of modernization
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
Emperor Meiji
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 Charter Oath
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THE MEIJI TIMES!
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The Yen
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The Japanese stock market crashing
FINANCIAL CRISIS IN JAPAN
The 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. The Mitsubishi Logo
Zaibatsu were also a key part in helping solve the financial issue in Japan. Zaibatsu BUY A NEW SUIT WITH were individually owned companies that HAT INCLUDED FOR often grew into large industries. The most ONLY 10000 notable Zaibatsu’s were Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Ya s u d a , F u r u k aw a , K aw a s a k i a n d 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
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THE COLLECTOR!
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Japan’s new fashion 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
1900’s Fashion
A peasants view on the Land tax 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
Interview
A Japanese farm
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH EX-SAMURAI
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?
Me: How do you feel about the new Charter Oath
Samurai: I like to write poems now because i have alot of free time with Japan in peace
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, only during ceremonies which i feel reduces my usefulness.
Me: Where does your income come from now?
Me: What is your main job now that Japan is unified?
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.
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
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