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Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
Inside this Issue
Years of War Page 1Economic Development Page 4Life & Style: Spring fashions Blossoming Page 5Memoirs of a Scorned women Page 6
Years of WarBy Tina Huang
Japan had started off as a small, isolated country far out east in the Pacific. Now Japan is no longer satisfied with that status and has
begun to expand their borders to encompass all they have conquered,
Korea and Manchuria. These lands were not just given but were a result of Japan’s success in wars against both China and Russia from
1894 to 1905. China and Japan had been competing against each other for
centuries with China as the stronger country. However since the Meiji
Restoration China’s dominant role was finally being challenged. Japan was striding forward to work to achieve the ideal of “rich
country; strong military” which was based originally from an ancient Chinese ideal.
Korea As An Incentive The beginning of the Sino-Japanese war started with Japan’s
plans to invade Korea. Korea was known as the ‘Hermit Kingdom’ due to it’s isolation policy. Since the beginning of the Meiji
Restoration many Japanese encouraged an intervention in Korea
more so after Korea’s refusal to grant immediate recognition of the Meiji government. The Japanese government decided that for its own
security it was necessary that they had some control over Korea. Under the leadership of Yamagata Aritomo the conflict with Korea
was inevitable and that if it meant going to war with China than so
be it. Japan used Commodore Perry’s bullying tactics used against
themselves back in 1853 against Korea and forced them to open their borders. The Treaty of Kanghwa then opened up 3 Korean ports for
trade but the most important part was that Japan would then
recognize Korea as an independent state outside of China’s control. Continued on page 2
Map of the Pacific, showing the Korean Peninsula as a part of the Sino-Japanese War
MODERN MODEM Japan & the New Era:
1868-1912 Issue No. Twenty Tokyo, Japan
! PAGE2!
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
MODERN MODEMEmergence of War Japan and China sent troops into Korea at the King’s request to help stop a rebellion started by a
popular religious group, the Tong Hak Society which
had broken out against the corrupt government. When the troops arrived at Korea the rebellion had
already been put down by the loyal Korean forces. Even so, both countries refused to withdraw their troops for
each believed they had a right to remain. When Ito
Hirobumi made demands for the Korean Government to change, China refused.
So, left with no choice on July 23, 1894 the Japanese troops that had greatly outnumbered the Chinese seized
the king’s palace with orders for thee king to declare
Korea’s independence from China. The King of Korea at this point had no choice while
he was being held captive by the Japanese and so was forced to sign an order to expel the Chinese.
Japan’s Triumph Japan and China were now in war. The war lasted less than a year and Japan was the successful victor both
on land and sea.
The Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed by both China and Japan on April 17, 1895 which stated that:
• China must recognized Korea as an independent state
• The Liaotung Peninsula, Formosa and the
Pescadores Islands were given to Japan• 4 new Chinese ports were opened to Japanese
trades• Japan gained most-favored nation rights on China
• China had to pay an indemnity of 200 million taels
News of their triumph was spread across the world surprising many. It was an example of how swiftly Japan
mastered the art of modern warfare.
Port Arthur Massacre As part of Japan’s war with China they had chosen to invade Port Arthur, a
Manhcurian fortress that was considered the
strongest in Asia. Japan siege of Port Arthur was gruesome and lasted for 3 months. Japan
acted with no mercy, killing with joy. They marched through the streets and into peoples
homes, murdering anyone they encountered
along the way. However their loss of control reflected
badly upon Japan’s international reputation and they were forced onto the defensive while
word of their atrocities spread across the world.
Continued on page 3
A cartoon depicting Japan walking all over Korea to get to Chinese territory, Manchuria
! PAGE3
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
MODERN MODEMRussian Developments
Shortly following Japan’s success in the Sino-Japanese War was dampened by the Triple
Intervention, when Russia, France and Germany
forced Japan to give up it’s claim on the Liaotung Peninsula only 6 days after the signing of the Treaty
of Shimonoseki. Japan had no choice but to give in to the demands of the three major European Powers.
Only 3 years after, China was forced to grant a 25
year lease on the Liaotung Peninsula to Russia. This gave Russia the chance to create a new development,
the South Manchuria Railway by connecting their own port of Vladivostok to the Chinese Eastern
Railway--running across Manchuria that had an
extension line to major ports of Darien and Port Arthur. Russia moving into Manchuria began
worrying not only Japan but Great Britain as well.
Anglo-Japanese AllianceThis resulted in the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
between the two countries. When Japan had the
backing of Britain they were in a much more
confident position to oppose the Russians. The main thing that the Japanese were looking for is for Russia
to recognize and respect their special position in Korea. When Japan made an offer to Russia at the
Imperial Conference to recognize each other’s rights,
Russia only partly agreed for they did not want Japan’s use of Korea for strategic purposes to
threaten Russia’s exclusive line of communication. When a decision could not be made, Japan decided
Korea would be won no matter the costs and so they
went in for the war.
Map of Japanese Expansion into Manchuria and Korea against Russia
Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905A Japanese naval force torpedoed the Russian naval fleet anchored at Port Arthur on February 8, 1904 without
warning and not two days later, war was declared. Russian troops were driven out of Korea in only 3 months and
then the Japanese army began pushing into Manchuria and capturing Port Arthur and Mukden along the way.
After the Russian fleet was destroyed in the battle of Tsushima , both countries agreed to the offer made by President Theodore Roosevelt of the United States to act as a peacemaker in the signing of the Treaty of
Portsmouth which effectively ended the war. The treaty called attention to the fact that Russia would recognize Japan’s interests in Korea, and the lease of
the Liaotung Peninsula, the South Manchurian Railway and the souther half of the island of Sakhalin were given
to Japan. Both countries also had to agree that should China make any decisions in the future to develop Manchuria that they would not interfere
Artwork showing fighting in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905
! PAGE4
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
Japan before the 1868, the Meiji Restoration was a
non-industrialized country. Most of the work force was focused on agriculture and whatever industries there were
used traditional emphasis. When the Meiji Era came
around, it brought about many changes. When feudalism was abolished the old financial and administrative system
did as well and so began the race to catch up with the West. The Japanese
then worked on achieving their goal
of “rich country, strong military” based on an ancient Chinese ideal.
Strategic IndustriesIndustrialization was one of the main focus’s during
the Meiji Period. The Japanese were introduced to modern industry and soon realized that if Japan wanted
to become a rich country with a strong military it was necessary for them to develop strategic industries which
modern military powers depended upon, heavy
industries, engineering, mining and shipbuilding. Thought this had begun before the end of the
Shogunate when the shogun had fell, the government focused mainly of developing defense industries that
could withstand Western menaces. Foreign instructors
were brought to give training for workers, there were engineering, technical and naval schools founded. The
best of the students were sent abroad to master the techniques that were required in these major industries.
Currency ConditionsAfter the shogunate fell, they left behind some serious
financial problems for the new government to deal with.
The amount of spending that was used to break the clans
when feudalism was ending outweighed the revenue received. The imbalance in spending and income effected
the economy resulting in high inflation rates, internal dropping of the revenue
and a poor currency.
As a solution, Japan adopted the yen as an official currency in 1871.
Many clans had made their own form of currency and so when yen was made
the official currency the exchange of clan notes or paper
money issued by the daimyo was suspended.
Imitating Banking SystemsWhen the Tokugawa period ended Japan actually
was not in such a bad situation save for the fact that it lacked a modern banking system.
This was addressed as soon as possible and in 1872, 4
national banks were established using the American system of national banking. However in only 3 years all
of them were experiencing serious financial difficulties because of the poor management, lack of co-operation
and their failure to compete with other foreign banks and
local institutions. In 1882, the American banking system was replaced with the centralized European banking
system and the first central bank, the Bank of Japan was formed.
Economic DevelopmentsMODERN MODEM
By Shokouku NagimeA NEW JAPAN: INDUSTRIALIZATION & MODERNIZATION
“Rich country,strong military!”
Japanese Yen from 1872
Chiyodagata,Japan’s first domestically b u i l t s t e a m warship, 1863
! PAGE5
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
Japan during the 19th century was in their modernization phase
and thought that in order to be accepted as equals in a world dominated by Western countries they too had to adopt all aspects of their culture.
During the first 20 years of the Meiji Restoration Japan
underwent a cultural revolution and everyone had almost an obsession with all things Western. The words of “Civilization and enlightenment”
were heard throughout Japan.
MODERN MODEM
Life & Style:
By Akinaga Sakuji
Find out the latest fashionable clothing inspired by the west
“Civilization and enlightenment!”
Morning CoatsNEW
Back when the Tokugawas ruled social classes were distinguished by the way they dressed. The upper classes would wear silk or satins and lower classes were only allowed to wear hemp or cotten. Now western dress is worn for all court and official ceremonies. It’s a new style of dressing! The “Morning Coat”, now standard dress for all formal occasions
Get yours now! Available at Okinawa Orderly, 82# street, Osaka Japan
UPDATE YOUR MAP COLLECTION
Buy yourself a new map that includes Japan and it’s new territory gained through it’s expansion. Purchase at Map Conquest, #273 Edo
Spring Fashions Blossoming
Dear Sakura, With the new developments during the Meiji Restoration, as a samurai there have been countless changes. We are now no longer allowed to wear our swords in public and wearing our top knots have now become optional. I’m ashamed that our role in society has been reduced so much. Now with the fuedal hierarchy changed to the new social classes now even civilians can enlist themselves in the military. What am I supposed to do? I’m starting to feel like a ronin. -The Lone One
~ Dear Sakura ~
Dear The Lone One, I understand the difficulty you are having to adjust to the new society Japan is embracing however you have no option. Japan is striving to move forward in this international world and in order to do so, it’s people must change as well. We will do what it takes, I suggest that you do as well -Sakura
! PAGE6
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
MODERN MODEM
All around the world, women are treated
unjustly. We are treated as inferior and worthless. That however was not true in Japan, back in
ancient times we had considerable influence. Our
high status was due to the pattern of marriage being centered around women; no matter what
social class, the husband was expected to join the family on the wife’s side or to live separately from
her and only visit on certain nights. Since then
however much has changed, the Meiji Restoration during the mid 1800‘s did nothing to improve the
status of women.
Decline of Women When Buddhism and Confucianism became
popular religions this impacted the treatment towards
women. Starting with the Taika Reforms, women were prohibited from becoming government officials
and their share of land was 2/3’s that of the a mans.
Picture of two women practicing Ikebana-traditional Japanese flower arrangement which originated from the ritual of offering flowers to Buddha.
Memoirs of a Scorned WomanBy Tomoya Satsuma
Then when the Shogun ruled with a war-oriented feudal economy property rights were taken from women and
given to the husband or their male heirs. This meant that they had to be more dependent upon their male relatives. From then onwards, the status of women decreased dramatically. When the Meiji Restoration came around,
many women hoped that they would be given political rights under their new constitution.
Interview with Kai WataguriI: How do you feel about the new constitution?
K: Japan is well under way developing itself to stand equal against all the other foreign countries ruling the world right now. This constitution should help enforce their views of modernization for the government and society.
I: What do you expect will result in this constitution?
K: I believe that since this is a period of time where Japan is trying to improve themselves in all aspects. I think this
includes the rights of the people. I trust that the government will justify both men and women.
However this did not happen, instead the status of women was diminished even further. In 1882, women
were forbidden from making political speeches and 7 years later in 1889 we were banned from participating in any activities related to politics. Then in 1898 when the Civil Code gave the head of the extended Japanese family
absolute authority which gave the husband the right to control family property, fix place of residence of every family member and approve or disapprove of family marriages and divorces. Wives were not allowed to undertake legal
action. Some even said that we were reduced to something similar to a cripple. Continued on page 7
! PAGE7
Modern Modem, Tokyo, Japan ZIP-72633 | Telegraph #1739273 | Printing Press
MODERN MODEM
Women for TradeBrothels were created throughout Japan. Many peasant families had to resort to
selling their daughters to prostitution.
Japanese girls were bought from their parents or abducted and forced into
working in foreign brothels through violent threats or necessity of money.
Portrait of a Japanese Geisha from a brothel
Disappointed and DegradedThe years of the Meiji Restoration did nothing to improve the lives of us women. We however on the other hand were a key factor to the success
and speed of Japan’s industrial revolution. Many women ended up
working in countless factories and were willing to work long hours for little pay. Without the labor of the women Japan’s industrialization would
not have been a success. The conditions at such work places were not well and often would work under inhumane conditions. Yet we were not
recognized for our contribution and role during Japan’s industrialization.
Women were not always treated as such inferiors. In fact we had it better
than most back during the Edo Period. Before our responsibilities went beyond just breeding and caring for children. Bring up the children was
not only the responsibility of the mother but of the entire family. Women
back then had much more freedom and rights than these days. The reforms carried out during the Meiji Restoration demeaned
us further. There were gender differences and our political and property rights were lost. We were only expected to be the good wives and wise
mother.
What is considered traditional Japanese gender roles now was the result of Japan’s vision to modernize. The thought of how far we have
fallen enrages me. Yet there is nothing we can do for as women, we are inferior and subordinate.
Women working at a bamboo basket factory
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