Emperor Meiji ruled Japan from 1867 to 1912. When he came to power, Japan was militarily weak and primarily agricultural, but through reforms he established a modern national education system, constitution, and built up industry, technology, railways, and military strength. By the end of his rule, Japan had transformed into a highly developed and industrialized world power with a centralized government and elected parliament.

3. EMPEROR MEIJI
(1867-1912)

4. MILITARILY WEAK
COUNTRY
PRIMARILY
AGRICULTURAL
TECHNOLOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT

5. REGAINED
COMPLETE CONTROL
OF FOREIGN TRADE
AND LEGAL SYSTEM
WON TWO WARS

7. THE ABOLITION OF
FEUDALISM MADE
POSSIBLE
TREMENDOUS
SOCIAL AND
POLITICAL CHANGES.

8. •BUILT RAILWAY
•TELEGRAPH AND
TELEPHONE
•THREE SHIPYARDS
•TEN MINES
•FIVE MUNITIONS WORKS
•FIFTY-THREE CONSUMER
INDUSTRIES

9. •NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM AND A
CONSTITUTION

10. THE
INTERNATIONA
L CLIMATE:
COLONIALISM
AND
EXPANSION

11. FOUGHT A WAR AGAINST
CHINA OVER ITS INTEREST IN
KOREA

12. 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; and
· a powerful army and navy.