How Did The Meiji Restoration Change Japanese Society

The Meiji Restoration was the climax of an accumulation of foreign and domestic pressures on Japan that led to a complete overthrow of the former government, the Tokugawa shogunate, and introduction into the Meiji era. During this period of time the Japanese were reclusive from the rest of the world and were suddenly forced to open their doors by the West. This Western Pressure acted as a catalyst to the internal conflict dwelling within Japan and caused the Japanese people to revolt against not only the current government but also fundamental ideals at the time. The years following the Meiji Restoration determined the path that Japan would take and exemplify the struggles that the leaders underwent in order to ensure the prosperity of the

This is seen in the Meiji Constitution, where the first topics of discussion are on the emperor and his right to lead the nation based upon “[ascension to] the Throne of a lineal succession unbroken for ages eternal” (Meiji Constitution 1). While many things changed for the Japanese empire during this time, by returning their emperor to power, the Japanese leaders chose to value the ways of their ancestors. Although before the Meiji Constitution, the Charter Oath was read aloud in 1868, painting a very different picture of the government than the Tokugawa regime. The Charter Oath drastically changed the society of Japan in many ways. By abolishing the class system, the Japanese people were viewed by the government as being equal. This also meant reducing the samurai class to the same level as commoners. This reduction of status led to resentment, and later on rebellion, from the former samurai class. The Charter Oath concluded by stating, “knowledge shall be sought throughout the world,” (Charter Oath). Expressing the desire of the Japanese to no longer be confined to the country of Japan and learn from other nations. Emperor Meiji followed through on this oath by sending a group of Japanese statesmen to the western nations, primarily Europe and America, in order to learn from “the most enlightened nations”(Meiji 1).

While the statesmen were travelling they realized that they were very similar to the western nations, “it is all a matter of education” (Jensen 356). The statesmen decided that the best way for Japan to flourish would be through enhancing education or “we will not be able to elevate our country’s prestige in a thousand years” (Jensen 356). The statesmen sent on the Iwakura mission were able to discern how they could better their country by observing the western nations and set out to apply these methods to Japan. Although, the statesmen on the Iwakura mission had to be called back to Japan because the leaders who had stayed behind on the mission had begun to plan an invasion on Korea. While the members of the mission had been considering new ways of advancing Japan, the members who stayed behind were still considering expansion as the only method. Before an emissary was sent to Korea the Iwakura statesmen were able to argue to “put the project on hold,” (Jensen 363) because of how dangerous it would be to incite a war that would likely involve China and European nations. While the Iwakura statesmen were able to prevent the hostility torward Korea it caused the leader of the of the plan, Saigo Takamori, to leave the government and return to the Satsuma Province along with many soldiers and leaders who remained in Japan during the Iwakura mission. The experience