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Japan: A Changing Society

Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since

western nations became involved with Japan, it's changes over recent times

have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economical

and social differences as a result of the western involvement. The

involvement was initiated by the Japanese themselves, beginning during the

Meiji Period1 through current times. As time increases, Japan is slowly

becoming more 'westernized' because of western involvement. Western

involvement is greatly affecting Japan.

Western involvement began in Japan during the late 1800's. The Meiji

dynasty helped to carry it through, seeing the importance of western ideas.

"Learn all you can from the Europeans and Americans"2 was what Emperor

Meiji was saying to the Japanese in 1867. During this period, Japan agreed

to change it's hereditary authority and class barriers between its people.3

Japan also opened their ports during this period4 and sold fuel to other

countries such as the Us.5 The Japanese language took a major turn, too,

with the addition of borrowed words from all over the world.6 Japan

borrowed the American education system of elementary, middle school and

universities during this time.7 A new western style army and universal

military conscription program were soon set up by General Yamagata Autamo

as well.8 The Meiji period was an important part of Japan's changing

western ways. After World War II, Japan changed forever. With the Atomic

bomb physically destroying their cities, and their defeat destroying their

imperialistic mentalities, Japan was deeply wounded. Japan lost the

respect of the world during the war and few people felt sorry for them.

However, they were soon willing to accept the concepts and ideas from

abroad.9 The Us helped Japan and showed them many new things to help them

get on their feet again. We explained to them about the electric telegraph

and soon after we even connected them with California's telegraphs.10 Many

Japanese women started to wear western dresses or even sweaters and

slacks.11 Japan changed politically as well. Japan became divided up into

47 profectures, which are similar to American states. Japan has carried

over America's democratic ideas of social freedom, economic independence,

and democratic liberties and privileges Japan's government soon began the

executive, legislative, and judicial branches seen in America seen after

the war.13 These changes all became possible soon after the war with great

financial aid from the Us.14 Japan's progress in America's modernization

program was so fast, we had to begin recognizing Japan as a world power.15

After Japan's modernization program, Japanese life began to change

less dramatically, but never stopped. Within recent times, many western-

style appliances and such can be found in Japanese homes.16 The Japanese

schools, based on America's, teach the same things in grade school as

American schools.17 Many of the students are learning in these schools to

take English language courses to help them as they get older.18 Sports

today, are shaped similar to America's. Japan has carried over many sports

from America including frisbees, jogging, skateboarding19, and baseball.20

Baseball is among their favorites and was brought over by an American

teacher as far back as the late 1800s.21 Japanese baseball is made up of

the same components of American baseball as well. For example, leagues in

Tokyo are made up with leagues of 6 universities similar to our leagues.22

The Japanese have joined the Olympic game stream and now they are active

participants and were even hosts for the 1964 Games.23 Many clubs after

Japanese schools end were brought over from Western countries, too.24

Following the world trends, Japanese silk mills have turned largely to the

spinning of synthetic fiber textiles, which was started from the west, to

keep up with other countries in the silk trade.25 Many of the Japanese

people now wear and even make western style clothing everyday, except for

special occasions or relaxing at home.26 The family lives are even

becoming similar to Western ways as the children get more respect and the

members learn to voice their opinions in a household.27 Japan, with recent

developments, needs to trade with other nations and learn from them.28

Japan, with the growing western influence, is changing very rapidly.

Japan survived the initial shock of the western impact only to run into the

problems of the west today.29 Yet, Japan continues to try to overcome

these challenges by every passing day. Japan is a much different country

from the pre-1800s. Because of these changes, Japan has a different

cultural living currently, with the introduction of baseball to Japan and

other sports. Japan's economy has changed with the inclusion of American

money and products in trade. Finally, Japan's political ideas have changed

shape with our Democratic model which we've passed onto them. Japan is

learning that the West has some rich ideas that it had been ignoring for

centuries.

Footnotes

1 Miller, Richard J. and Katoh, Lynn. Japan, p.31. 2 Greene, Carol.

Enchantment of the World, Japan, p.60. 3 Reischauer, Edwin O. The United

States and Japan, p.160. 4 Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. p.46. 5 p.48. 6 Miller,

Richard J. and Katoh, Lynn. Japan, p.67. 7 p.50. 8 p.31. 9 Reischauer,

Edwin O. The United States and Japan, p.181. 10 p.204. 11 p.215. 12 Greene,

Carol. Enchantment of the World, Japan, p.71. 13 Reischauer, Edwin O. The

United States and Japan, p.187. 14 Greene, Carol. Enchantment of the World,

Japan, p.70. 15 Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. p.122. 16 Miller, Richard J. and

Katoh, Lynn. Japan, p.32. 17 Greene, Carol. Enchantment of the World, Japan,

p.70. 18 Davidson, Judith. Japan - Where East Meets West, p.74. 19 p.99.

20 p.111. 21 Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. p.113. 22 Davidson, Judith. Japan -

Where East Meets West, p.107. 23 Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. p.46. 24 Davidson,

Judith. Japan - Where East Meets West, p.101. 25 p.94. 26 Miller, Richard J.

and Katoh, Lynn. Japan, p.57-58. 27 Greene, Carol. Enchantment of the World,

Japan, p.97. 28 Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. p.78. 29 Davidson, Judith. Japan

- Where East Meets West, p.48.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davidson, Judith. Japan - Where East Meets West. Minnesota: Dillon Press

Inc., 1983.

Greene, Carol. Enchantment of the World, Japan. Chicago: Regensteiner

Publishing Enterprises Inc., 1983.

Miller, Richard J. and Katoh, Lynn. Japan. New York: Franklyn Watts Inc.,

1969.

Pitts, Forrest R. Japan. Canada: Fideler Company., 1974.

Reischauer, Edwin O. The United States and Japan. Massachusettes: Harvard

University Press, 1965.

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