The Japanese desire to, as Shelley, Mok and Chuu Yong (1990, P.21) assert, be immersed in a group, was a predominant reason for Japans’ accomplishment of widespread modernisation, especially in the sphere of industry and economy. “The nail that sticks out will be pounded down”(Bloomfield and Ludemann, 1990, P.5). This old proverb perfectly exhibits the seriousness of group loyalty in Japan. It has been claimed (Kalman, 1989, P.4), that the people were bound together by the cultural trait of group effort and allegiance, thus creating a highly productive work force, and consequently considerably improving the nation’s economic disposition. In their minds, if they worked hard, the company would strive, which in turn meant that the country would benefit… and that is just the case, as history has proven. In effect, Shelley et al. (1990, P.48) believes that the Japanese surrendered their individuality for the greater good of the country, sacrificing their lives in exchange for the development of the country into a leading power. In the end, Japan was able to rapidly and extensively advance its economy and industry, but this was only the beginning. Modernisation not only improved upon Japan’s institutional features, but also gave the people a thirst for learning, in order to themselves westernise.
During the Meiji administration, a spirit of national strength and unity swept through the country. In the Charter Oath, the Emperor urged his people to, as Laidlaw (1989, P.144) illustrates, abandon traditional or ‘unworthy’ ways and adopt Western traits. There followed an incredible enthusiasm, seeking knowledge among the nations of the world, in order to then share this gained wisdom with their fellow countrymen. In conjunction with a centralised education system, the country would, in the opinion of Rajendra et al. (1984, P.188), possess all the essential assets of a great nation.
In a bid to resist foreign pressures, radical changes took place throughout Japanese society. “Rich country, strong army” (Anderson, 2002, P.79). This was their ultimate aim, and as the Japanese prepared for modernisation, they realised that maintaining the ideals of loyalty and compliance were imperative. The education system ensured this.
Japan’s system of education, as recognised by Livingstone et al. (1973, P.10), acted as the means of initiating an enthusiasm for change and a tool for expressing the ideals perpetuated by the nation’s leaders. The Japanese Government, during the Meiji period, intended to give every child a basic education in the principles of reverence to the Emperor and unquestionable loyalty to the state, in an endeavor to one day stand tall and on equal terms with the west. In the words of a Government representative, “Our country must move from its third-class position to second-class, and from second-class to first; and ultimately to the leading position among all countries of the world. The best way to do this is by laying the foundations of elementary education” (Laidlaw, 1989, P.144). This primary education would equip the Japanese with the skills fundamental to the proficient operation of the modern Japanese armed forces, and in the beliefs of Laidlaw and Cowie (1989, P.188; 1993, P.116), ultimately prepare the people for war.
By the 1890’s, Japan had acquired enough military might to finally achieve acceptance as an equal to the Western powers and, with the strategy of ‘rich country, strong military’ still deeply ingrained in their minds, Japan, in the observation of Cowie (1993, P.117) was eager to carve out an empire of its own. In a remarkable gamble, Japan devoted one third of the national budget to the construction of a first class army and navy. Fortunately, as Gilhooly (2002, P.19) establishes, the European based military exceeded all expectations. In 1902, the English, recognising the nation’s full potential, chose Japan as their naval ally in the Pacific. Additionally, in an incredible defeat during the Russo-Japanese war, the Russian navy, having once sailed the globe, was totally destroyed in a matter of hours. While this is only a minor insight into the tremendous military capability of the Japanese armed forces, these feats alone signify the true extent of the country’s accomplishments. Not only had Japan triumphed over a major European power, but had also demonstrated the countries determined drive for supremacy, and backed by a strong centeralised government, marked a turning point for the Japanese.
The reorganised government, characterised by a particularly ambitious and aggressive approach, formed the backbone of the modernisation process, as substantiated by Richie (1986, P.8). With the introduction of a centralised administration based on that of the German model, the Meiji leaders were able to systematically indoctrinate the nation into complete conformity, just as Hitler had done in Nazi Germany. The establishment of this effective and advanced parliamentary system was integral to Japan’s success both internally and abroad.
With the Japanese deeply committed to their country’s success overseas, the temptation to spread their imperialistic tentacles grew steadily. “There is much of sensitivity and creativity”, proclaimed Dr Dunlop (Cowie, 1993, P.109), “but I have sensed that the single-minded loyalty gives the system some of the defects of an insect society, with a pattern of blind, unswerving acceptance of leadership whether towards good or evil”. In 1941, this notion was proven. In an astounding confrontation, Japan launched a preemptive strike against the most extraordinary nation of them all, the United States. Japan, so committed to achieving its objectives, now sought complete hegemony over the world.
In a determined drive for equality and supremacy, Western intervention sparked a policy of internal modernisation whereby, within a period of only fifty years, Japan had transformed both rapidly and drastically. Japans depiction of the rising sun on their national flag was “symbolic of the awakening of Japan and of her wish to be found ever moving onward and upward amid the enlightened nations of the world” (Crawford, 1967, P.170). Once remarked by the architect of the remodeled Constitution of 1889, Prince Ito Hirobumi, the aspirations of the nation, even then, were quite obvious. By the early 1900’s, Japan, as Cowie (1993, P.117) asserts, had created an effective national government and universal education system, whilst dramatically revolutionising its army and navy, economy and of course industry. All unequal treaties were renegotiated, reinstating full diplomatic power to Japan, and thus ending an unforgiving circumstance of inequality in Japan. In the thoughts of Tames and Cowie (1995, P.66; 1993, P.114), this served as a means of restoring national dignity to the Japanese people, who had given their lives in order to achieve this liberation from Western grip.
In only half a century, Japan stood parallel to the west, competing both industrially and economically. Having also attained a clearly defined sphere of influence in neighboring Asian provinces, Japan had, by giant strides, altered its status, from an inferior isolationist country, to that of a global superpower of the modern era.
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Crawford, R.M. (1967). Ourselves & The Pacific. Melbourne University Press: Melbourne. P.170.
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