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- also utilized as a tool of the government for political indoctrina�tion and it served to create an obedient citizenry. Education taught children what to think rather than how to think. The educational system trained students principally to serve mod�ern industrialization as scientists and civil servants.
In 1873 an edict of religious tolerance was passed allowing foreign Christian missionaries to come to Japan. While the actual number of conversions was very small, Christian ethics had a profound influence on the thinking of modern urbanites as well as affecting the fields of women's education, social work and certain aspects of morality.
In addition, the Meiji government invited foreign experts to come to Japan to aid in modernization. For example, German doctors were sought and foreign medicine was introduced. Eng�lish architects were called upon to help rebuild parts of Tokyo. American scholars invited to Meiji Japan included specialists in the humanities, such as zoologists, anthropologists, archaeolo�gists and sociologists. Among the most important experts to arrive was Ernest Fenellosa (1835-1908) who initially came to teach philosophy, but instead enthusiastically worked to revive the traditional arts and crafts which had waned when faced with European art ideas and styles. He felt the ultimate extinction of traditional art would come about if the Japanese continued to adopt the Western art forms.
Industry
The Meiji government took an active role in aiding and directing industrial development. They sponsored industrial projects, es�pecially those related to the military. Shipyards were established to build Western-style battleships, and factories were erected to fabricate weapons such as cannons and rifles.
The regime encouraged small company mergers in order to create a solid economic foundation. Initially the government played a major role in developing industries such as shipbuild�ing, mining, railroads and electricity, as well as setting up silk and cotton mills, but soon passed their interests on to the compe�tent merchant contractors. By the late 19th century these inde�pendent enterprises quickly grew into large economic empires known as zaibatsu, who controlled all interlocking aspects of finance, commerce and manufacturing.
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The largest zaibatsu developed from a number of department stores owned by the Mitsui family. Another successful zaibatsu was set up by Iwasaki Yataro who established a powerful com�mercial shipping corporation called Mitsubishi. In 1885 Mit�subishi and Mitsui interests set up the powerful steamship line called the Japan Mail Line.
The most important early industry for Meiji Japan was tex�tiles, in particular, silk production. It accounted for up to 43% of Japanese exports. The government was also heavily involved in developing the wool and cotton industries. Wool and cotton clothing were in great demand locally for military and civil officials who wished to wear Western-style uniforms and suits. The manufacture of European-style dresses for women began as a small home industry, but with the importation of the sewing machine production became more rapid.
However, despite the tremendous success of Japan's indus�trial revolution, it did have a dark side for it mercilessly ex�ploited its female workers as well as using child labour.
Transportation and Communication
Modernizing the country's transportation system became a chief priority of the new Meiji government. Japan's transporta�tion system was quite backward before the Restoration. Prior to electrification of transportation the major cities had bicycles, horse-drawn omni buses and carriages. In 1883 horse-drawn trolleys were introduced but were discontinued in 1904 fol�lowing the streetcar service. It was the Japanese invention of the rickshaw (jinrikisha), a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by one or two men, which would most affect early Meiji traffic. Invented in 1869, it was economical, simple and maneuverable, and was even used for long distances. The rickshaw quickly spread across the Far East, and can still be found in a number of developing nations today. They quickly replaced the old modes of transport like the palanquin (sedan chair) and ox carts as well as the boats on the Venetian-style canal system. By the late Meiji period, rickshaws were forced out of Japanese cities by more advanced modes of transportation. They were however still utilized in the suburbs. By 1900 the first automobiles made their appearance in Japan.
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