“Social developments were more significant than economic developments in Meiji Japan.” Discuss

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that social developments were more significant than economic developments in Meiji Japan. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social and economic developments, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. Candidates may discuss significant changes such as the loss of class privileges for feudal lords and samurai. Having lost their status in society, many established major corporate conglomerates and these zaibatsu had significant control over Japan’s economy. Candidates may therefore argue that this social change was not as significant as it initially appeared, as lords and samurai continued to hold power and prestige in Meiji Japan. Candidates may discuss the changes in education. Universal education was introduced in 1872, which was influenced by Western ideas and theories. However, in 1890, Meiji issued the Imperial Rescript on Education, which reinforced the ideas of Confucianism and Shintoism, demonstrating that the initial developments in education were not particularly significant. Economic developments, such as the development of transportation and communication systems, led to the rapid industrialization of Japan. Candidates may argue that social developments were often rather superficial and that fundamentally Japan’s society did not change. However, its economic developments led to the emergence of a powerful modern nation and this contributed to the rise of nationalism and militarism as Japan would seek to establish its own empire.

A popular question. Candidates were required to offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that social developments were more significant than economic developments in Meiji Japan. There was excellent knowledge demonstrated of the changes that occurred in Meiji Japan. However, some responses dealt with social developments very briefly and instead focused on comparing political and economic developments.