Reasons for the success of the Meiji modernization.

The success of the Meiji modernization was beyond doubt by the turn of the 20th century. Internally, it possessed an efficient administration, a comprehensive educational system, strong military forces, full-range industrial developments and so on. Externally, it had defeated China and Russia, signed an alliance with Britain, and got rid of the unequal treaties. The slogan of “Fukoku Kyohei” was more than accomplished. The following discussion is a summary of the main reasons that explained the success of the Meiji modernization.

Legacy from Tokugawa Japan -- the Meiji government inherited certain assets from the Tokugawa period which enabled it to carry out reforms more smoothly. First, the Meiji Restoration in 1868 was largely a bloodless incident. For this reason, the Meiji government inherited a reasonably stable political and social order, and this facilitated the implementation of reform programmes.
Second, the seeds of modernization were already laid during the late Tokugawa period. As we have seen in previous sections, Japan before 1868 was politically, socially and economically on the verge of drastic changes. These favourable conditions also facilitated the carrying out of reforms.
Third, the Meiji government could take over the fruits of modernization of the late Tokugawa period. To give but an example, the new government took over those naval dockyards from Satsuma and Choshu and these became the basis of future military (naval) reforms.
Lastly, the ideas of Rangakusha and Kaikokusha were gaining ground in late Tokugawa period. This prepared Japanese minds in the opening of the country and in the adoption of western models for reforms.

Acceptance of the need for modernization — that the Japanese accepted the need for modernization was only partly attributed to the influence of Rangakusha and Kaikokusha. The more important reason was the sense of national crisis among Japanese minds. Many understood that Japan might slip into a semi-colonial dependence upon one or more of the western powers if no self-strengthening were undertaken. Indeed, they could see and take warning from what was happening in China which was twice humiliated by the West in the Opium War and the Arrow War. Meanwhile, the failure of the Iwakura mission 1872-3 spurred the Japanese government to make greater efforts to hasten the modernization of the country. It understood that only by imitation of the West could Japan save herself from being colonized for the time being and rank equal with the West in the future. For these reasons, the Japanese were enthusiastic with modernization.
Needless to say, the tradition of culture borrowing made the acceptance of westernization much easier in Japan. In the past, Japan had learnt from China. Now that the position of China was replaced by the western countries for obvious reasons, the Japanese decided to learn the strong-points of these nations.
The above factors (influence of Kaikokusha, sense of national crisis, tradition of culture borrowing) accounted for the support of the Japanese people as a whole to accept modernization under their leaders. The later group further cultivated the force of nationalism by a variety of means. Consequently, national unity was strong at all levels, and the reform programmes of the leaders enjoyed the cooperation of the people at large. The entire country was at one in heading towards the goal of “Fukoku Kyohei “.

Able leadership -- the Japanese were fortunate to have able leaders in their modernization drive. The old ruling classes of the Tokugawa period-- the shogun, the daimyo -- were pushed aside to give place to a new generation of young and energetic samurai. This group of Meiji leaders, commonly known as the Meiji oligarchy, possessed several qualities that made them capable of performing their task well. They were not fresh starters in the field of politics and modernization. They owed their leadership in the new government by virtue of their successful careers in the Satcho-Hito domains in which they had already undertaken reforms effectively.
Furthermore, the Meiji leaders formed “a group which was homogeneous in age, social origin and political experience.” Most of them were in their middle age when assuming leadership of the new government. In the process of modernization, those who disagreed with the top priority of internal strengthening dropped out (such as Saigo, Itagaki) and the remaining members cooperated more cohesively towards a common goal.
Thirdly, the Meiji leaders were “pragmatists and utilitarians, ready to adopt whatever techniques, institutions or ideas seemed useful.” In other words, they carried out reforms by adopting the various examples of the West. For instance, they followed the German military system, the British naval model, the French judicial procedures, the American business practice, and so on.
Finally, many of the Meiji leaders lived well into the 20th century. Their long period of leadership thus “gave a consistency and continuity to their actions which enabled fresh habits to become deep-rooted.”

Full-range reforms -- the Meiji leaders were vigorously dedicated to the cause of modernization. They were far. sighted enough to perceive that modernization rested with full-range reforms. They believed that military strengthening was not sufficient in itself. They understood the value and usefulness of western institutions and civilization. Consequently, they carried out a full range of reforms. They set out to modernize her government, to westernize her education, to industrialize her economy, to update her legal system, and to proclaim a constitution. All these reforms, profound in consequences, were carried out gradually throughout several decades. This was made possible because the Meiji leaders stayed long enough in power to push forward the programmes.

Government patronage -- first of all, the Meiji government provided overall planning from above. This means that the modernization programme was not in piecemeal fashion nor was it carried out half-heartedly without support. The government made provisions for planning and adjusted its actions in accordance with circumstances. At the same time, the whole population was behind the modernization drive.
The government also sponsored and patronized most of the reform programmes energetically and wisely. For instance, the government took the lead in industrialization at the expense of agricultural interests. Later in the l880s, it let the private enterprises take up the task of industrialization. In education, the government adopted a nationalistic and utilitarian approach with the aim of creating patriotic and. productive citizens. Rather wisely, it granted a constitution in the emperor’s name to silence opposition from below. In addition, it was unwilling to borrow money from the western countries for fear of consequences even in times of financial strait.

Little foreign intervention -- Japan was fortunate in that the western powers were less aggressive with her than with China which was a more obvious target for imperial ventures. At the same time, the western powers were preoccupied with other affairs beyond Japan. The United States was riven by the Civil War and its aftermath. Britain was troubled by disturbances in India. France was facing the menace presented by Prussia. For these reasons, Japan was relatively free from foreign intervention in her modernization campaign. Her accommodating attitude with the West also contributed to various forms of foreign assistance in Japan’s modernization.

For the above reasons, the Meiji modernization was successful by the turn of the century.