World History: Polity of Japanese Isolationalism

The Empire of Japan officially came into existence on January 3, 1868 with the Meiji Restoration. A brief background of history prior to that is essential here to understand the “Japanese Isolationalism” or Sakoku; and subsequent events.

Background

Japanese rulers of early modern period were so afraid of any kind of change and foreign influence that they refused to allow foreigners to their land for nearly 250 years. A foreign policy of “closed country” or Sakoku was imposed by last feudal Japanese military government (Tokugawa shogunate) in 1633. As per this policy:

• Severe restrictions were placed on the entry of foreign nationals to Japan
• Japanese nationals were forbidden to leave the country on penalty of death if they returned without special permission.

The policy remained in effect until 1866. Prior to Tokugawa shogunate government, Japan had largely unrestricted trade with China and other powers of East Asia. However, while consolidating their power over the islands, the Tokugawas became increasingly suspicious of foreigners. They first banned foreign trade and spread of Christianity in 1633. In 1639, they banned foreigners from the Japanese mainland entry, allowing only few Chinese and Dutch merchants with no record of Christian evangelization.

By 1671, the policy was strictly in force banning Japanese subjects from leaving the islands altogether. For over two centuries, this policy remained in force until the power of Shogunate waned due to fiscal problems. In early 19th century, Japan suffered a series of famines, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The revenues of government dried up. Efforts to raise revenues included increased taxation which fell upon the poor. Popular riots swept across the islands.

Perry Expedition

The countries such as Russia made unsuccessful efforts to force Japan to open up its foreign trade. However, it was not until 1853 when US sent a war fleet under Commodore Mathew Perry to force Japan to open its door for trade. Perry anchored his four ships in Tokyo Bay within the sight of Japan’s capital. This show was basically a drama because Perry believed that Japanese could be compelled by mere show of power. He also gave a series of gifts to the rulers and returned with the promise that he would come back next year expecting a positive decision by Japanese rulers to trade with west.

By the next year when Perry visited Japan, the Shogunate caved in to western demands and signed a treaty in 1854 with US to open up two ports. One more treaty was signed in 1858 between Japan and US; some more ports were opened and some foreigners were allowed to reside in select cities of Japan.

However, this decision proved to be disastrous for Japanese economy. It was already under pressure and the recently signed agreement led a flood of foreign currency in Japan’s market, causing it to collapse.

Thus, there was a call for reforms and change. In 1867, Tokugawa shogunate fell and was replaced by the traditional Japanese emperor, though the real power in Japan was held by several of the most powerful samurai {ruling class of Japan}.

This Meiji system evolved into something akin to the constitutional monarchies of the West.

Meiji Reform

After the institution of the Meiji emperorship in 1867, the samurai began instituting a series of reforms to both deal with the influx of foreign trade in Japan and ready the country for its own industrialization. During the next half century, the Japanese completed modernizing reforms with an astounding speed. Railroads and telegraphs soon connected parts of Japan, which only a few years before had been several days of travel apart. In response to foreign trade, Japan’s domestic shipping industry grew exponentially.

Additionally, the rulers of the Meiji period implemented a strict westernization of Japanese culture. Educational reforms were introduced and Western-style universities were founded. A centralized army replaced the semi-feudal daimyo system which had previously existed, and the existing Japanese class system was eliminated. The traditional ruling class, the samurai, was eliminated and they were stripped of their symbolic right to carry swords in public.

Naturally, not all, particularly Samurai were happy with Japanese westernization and industrialization. In response, many samurai joined the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877. The rebellion was short-lived and was annihilated by the standardized, westernized Japanese military. The rebellion is often seen as the last stand of the samurai and the last obstacle to Japan’s full-fledged westernization in the second half of the 19th century.