The Industrial Revolution transformed Japan between 1870-1912 during the Meiji Period. Prior to this period, Japan had a feudal system and isolated economy focused on agriculture with little technology or industrial development. In 1853, Japan was forced to open trade with Western powers through unequal treaties. During the Meiji Period, Japan abolished its feudal system, established a national education system and constitution, and invested heavily in railways, shipping, textiles, and other new industries. By 1912 at the end of the Meiji Period, Japan had developed a highly centralized government, elected parliament, modernized its infrastructure and industry, and established itself as an industrialized nation on par with Western powers.

1. Industrial
Revolution in
Japan
1870-1912
-The Meiji Period-
Julieta and Josefina

2. Before the Industrial Revolution
• Feudal system, Feudal Lords had the power
over the population
• Mostly agricultural, no factories
• Little technological development
• It was commercially isolated except for
Holland and China.
All this left Japan behind, and without the
recognition of the industrialized Western
Powers

3. In 1853, the USA proposed Japan a commercial treaty,
named Kuro-Fune Raiko, which Japan was obliged to
accept because it was too weak to refuse.
It couldn’t refuse to sign treaties with the other Western
Countries either.
This treaties limited their control over their own
foreign trades, and crimes concerning foreigners in
Japan would be tried in Western courts only.

4. Social changes
• Abolition of Feudal System gave people the
freedom to move and choose their occupation
• National Educational system for the entire
population
• Constitution (only the emperor or his advisers could change
it)
• Elected parliament (but only a 1% of the population could
vote until 1925)
• Change in the legal system inspired in France
and Germany

5. Economic changes
• Railways and shipping lines
• Investment in new industries and technologies
• Textile industry (production of cotton and silk)
• Consumer industry (sugar, cement,
chemicals…)
• Production of coal
• Telegraph and telephone systems

6. The most important feature of the Meiji period
was Japan's struggle for recognition of its
considerable achievement and for equality
with Western nations.
Anyways, they industrialized a lot faster, it took
half the time it took in Europe to complete the
Industrial Revolution.

7. Summing up..
When the Meiji period ended, with the death of the
emperor in 1912, Japan had
• a highly centralized, bureaucratic government
• a constitution establishing an elected parliament
• a well-developed transport and communication
system;
• a highly educated population free of feudal class
restrictions
• an established and rapidly growing industrial
sector based on the latest technology
• a powerful army and navy.