Transformation of Tokugawa Society into Liberal-capitalist Japan as both Confinement and Liberation - Essay Example

Transformation of Tokugawa Society into liberal-capitalist Japan as both confinement and liberation Introduction According to a well known historian and diplomat, Edwin Reischauer, despite of the sharp disagreements among Japanese as well as Western Scholars over the definition of “modernization” in general and the dynamics of Japan’s process of change during the past century, there is nonetheless wide agreement that something went wrong in Japan in the late 20s and 30s of this century. This agreement created a big question of whether this really existed and in order to prove this we should gather more data to support the arguments. In contrast to this, W.W.Rostow argues, that modernization necessitates technological and lateral innovation. He also states that aside from the question of power, the great lateral innovation had widened the market, thereby producing new types of specialization as well as interdependence which include international interdependence in manufacturing. This research was done to analyze what went wrong in Japan between approximately 1890 and 1941. This also includes the analysis of a major assumption that something was right. In the “Panorama of Enlightenment” and Utopia of the Prisonhouse Maeda Ai the Transformation of Tokugawa Society into liberal-capitalist Japan as both confinement and liberation was discussed. This interpretation has a direct bearing on whether the Ishin was a revolution, restoration, or something else. In this paper the new Japanese nation state are also evaluated and included in the discussions are the changing role of the emperor and the new geochronocultural tableau. Ishin This research discussed the various interpretations of Ishin in Japan which the historians regard as the major turning point in the political, social as well as economic development of the country which allowed Japan to modernize. Japan had a long tradition of being isolated from the western world after expelling Western European missions during the sixteenth century. The Japanese government had not wanted any contract with foreigners and they had prevented them from entering the country. They had even gone so far as to ban all the Western technology and knowledge in order not to affect the culture of Japan. They do not believe that their isolation should end however internal pressures when combined with foreign pressures prompted the Ishin. For centuries, political change had been resisted in Japan, until the Ishin took place, which surprisingly created a historical debate. Threat from abroad has been frequently mentioned as the primary motivating factor in the efforts made to modernize Japan, in order to survive the threats from the major powers such as Britain France, and closer to home, the United States.1 The warlords or shoguns which competed in order to control the Japanese state and held more power that the emperor did based their claims to rule legitimately on their ability to keep the country free of foreign intervention as well as maintaining domestic law and order. Within the Asian region, foreign intervention is not new with the Spanish, Dutch as well as the Spanish long established colonies. Japanese are more concern on the British, French, and Americans who had all used gunboat diplomacy to force significant concessions from China, and possessed navies that could reach Japan unharmed. It was a amply demonstrated in the Opium Wars that without modernization the whole Asia would be under threat of being dominated by the West. The shoguns were aware that if the Western powers arrive in Japan they have to follow their demands because Japan had no modern military equipment and no modern ships to defend itself.2 There are views that the West is significant in bringing about long overdue political and constitutional change in Japan. On the other hand, the achievement of those political and constitutional reforms led to the social, economic, and technological transformation of the country. Britain and to a lesser extent the United States served as the role model for the liberal reformers in Japan. Britain was admired, as it was an Island like Japan that had the world’s largest navy as well as the first country to be industrialized. The United States was admired because the country was industrializing at such a rapid pace.3 In reality the events of 1846 was regarded as pivotal in shaping the reform process in Japan. The arrival of a squadron of American warship in Japanese waters caused the government to give into American demands to open up to foreign trade. They do not have a single gun or modern ship that would match with the American squadron, thus they had to back down.4 Ishin would promote emergence of electoral politics in Japan instead of competing of shoguns to gain power in the country. Shoguns had been opposed to electroral politics as that was deemed to be an unacceptable innovation inspired by Western societies. During 1878 there were prefectural elections and later on there were village, city, town ward elections, which led to Assemblies in 1880. Further changes in 1881 the Jiyuto was introduce, followed by Kaisshinto and Teiseito in 1882. Such changes have improved freedom and popular rights in Japan through features such as Fukushima and the Chichibu.5 Majority of history books argued that the choice was between political revolution, and constitutional and administrative reform6. There was a fear among the Japanese governing circles that the failure to introduce effective reforms would increase the prospects of the country being dominated by aggressive foreign powers like that of China. The Emperor and politics had not always gone hand in hand in Japan. For centuries the shoguns had controlled the country in the name of the Emperor, however had held all the power themselves. Several major factors contributed to the emergence of Ishin movement and renewal of Japan. Among those that contributed to Ishin includes Satsuma, Choshu, Shishi, and Bakufu.7 The emperor made all the difference in the success or failure of the renewal process, which culminated in the Muutsuhito of 1867. There were signs of being a politics of violence within Japan and the efforts of the Emperors to gain and then maintain effective political power were assisted by loyalists such as the Kobu Gottai. The Ishin movement reached its most critical stage on January 3 1868 and its most important leaders proved to be Kido Koin, Saigo Takaamori, and Okubo Toshimichi.8 The eventual response of the oligarchs was to support the changes advocated by the promoters of reform, which include freedom to worship any deities or deity that individuals choose. However it was policies such as urban renewal, imperial processes as well as new deity based upon the Emperor himself.9 The renewal process brought about the introduction of laws which were meant to improve law and order and these includes, the public assembly law of 1880 as well as the peace preservation law of 1887. To enhance public order there was also the imperial rescript on education of 1890 which promoted loyalty to the emperor.10 One political ideology from the West had an increasing influence in Japan, is liberalism, however Japanese leadership do not promote too much political freedom for the people. Moreover, there was still lip service to liberal political reforms like the imperial promise of a constitution in 1881 and the imperial rescript on soldiers and sailors of 1882.11 The Japanese government believed that the civil service was not capable of running the country effectively, hence the introduction of widespread administrative reform from 1885. These administrative reforms were designed to assist the social as well as the economic reforms needed to successfully modernize the country. Administrative reforms included the introduction of the imperial household ministry, cabinet government, and the systemization of recruitment into the civil service. The introduction of the constitutional monarchy completed the process of renewal, starting with the constitution of 1889, with sovereignty residing in the Emperor. There was plenty of contradiction within the system. It increased the level of centralization yet still remained popular. The 1889 constitution encouraged participation, while the education system was intended to further enhance social and economic development.12 The Sino Japanese war showed how far Japan had been able to progress in its efforts to modernize itself and become a major global power rather than isolationist, weak and backward.13 The victorious outcome of the Russo-Japanese war, which led to a humiliating Russian defeat made the major fully aware of Japan’s increasing strength.14 There was policy contradiction in Japanese government circles over the best course of action to take in relation to Korea. Testimony of success of Ishin in modernizing the country is that Japan was able to intervene and eventually control Korea.15 Therefore it could be argued that the Ishin was an event of great significance for Japan and its people. Without the success of the reform processes in introduced Japan would never have been able to modernize, and would have been backward and weak. Instead Japan industrialized quickly and gained power as a result of that. High economic growth, as well as military and naval expansion was the main outcomes of the reform movement. Changing Role of the Emperor The Role of the Emperor in the 19th and 20th has gone through change from the way imperial ruler was originally developed. The greatest change after the World War II was brought about by the new constitution which was imposed by the American Occupation. The beginning of the rapid development of economic life in Japan occurred during the Meiji period in the 19th century. It is a period of Modernization as well as the emergence of new elites based on the expertise and technical knowledge. The 1868 Revolution, according to research, was the restoration of power of imperial dynasty, which led to the Meiji period and lasted into this century. Young samurai of the great western fiefs were the leaders of the restoration. They became a self perpetuating oligarchy which was more influential in the Meiji government than the emperor himself. Studies have shown that they were united in their conviction that they alone had the experience needed and the sense of responsibility to direct the affairs of the state. Two European institutions such as parliamentary government and political party were introduced which became the foundation of Japanese liberalism. In addition to that feudalism was abolished, and the Daimyo have surrendered their fiefs to the Throne. Thus, from being hereditary arms-bearers and pensioners to the status of commoners, the samurai were reduced, which led to considerable resentment among the more conservative elements. Moreover, adoption of a parliamentary system was also not without conflicts and bloodshed.16 Works Cited Kang, Hildi. “Under the Black Umbrella.” Cornell University Press Tanizaki, Junichiro. “In Praise of Shadows.” Leete's Island Press Webb. “Changing Role of the Emperor of Japan.” Lots Of Essays.com. LotsOfEssays.com. 1989, 29-30. modified 2007. Wilson, George M. “Patriots and Redeemers.” Chicago: University of Chicago Press Read More