Development of Japan in 17th Century

Name Tutor Course Date Development of Japan in 17th Century Economic Situation during Tokugawa Shogunate Before Meiji Empire, Japan was under Shogun Dynasty, which lasted from 1603 to 1867, and was the final era of the traditional governance system. During the Tokugawa period, the rulers guarded the country against the influences of western, countries particularly trade and Christianity. During Tokugawa Shogunate era, a policy referred to a Sakoku was applied. It was an isolationist foreign policy that prohibited any form of relationship between Japan and foreign countries. Almost all people from foreign countries were prevented from entering Japan and common citizens were barred from leaving the country for a period of more than 200 years. Sakoku policy was a strategy of controlling trade between Japan and other countries. Nonetheless, trade between Japan and other countries was not completely prohibited. Tokugawa created a small-scale international system through which Japan could get important commodities such as medicines and gained access to essential intelligence from China. Besides, Japan maintained a good relationship with Ryukyu Island and Dutch and hence, could get some crucial goods through intermediary trade with these countries. The Sakoku policy maintained that the only European influence accepted in Japan was a Dutch factory located in Nagasaki. It only allowed limited trade with Korea and China for some important commodities. Merchants were the only individuals who could trade with the traders from China and Korea. During Shogun Dynasty, there were no modern infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals. However, new technology was applied in agriculture that allowed high production of food. New Economic Policy Prior to Meiji Restoration, the Japanese economy was becoming fragile as a result of the strict class system, which only allowed the merchant class to become richer than other classes of people, including samurai. Further, foreign countries were pushing for changes in Japanese governance system. Therefore, the pressure came from inside and outside the country and Tokugawa Shogunate had no choice but to resign. In 1868, a new government of Meiji Emperor took over and brought many changes. The economic policy applied by the new empire of Japan allowed modernization and democratic governance. The new emperor realized that Japan was lagging behind the European countries in terms of technology. As such, the government of Meiji found it necessary to modernize the foreign policy. Modernization of foreign policy allowed Japan to become a full member of the international community. Subsequently, Japan slowly by slowly started to embrace western culture. Meiji applied capitalistic policy, whereby home market was expanded through the obliteration of the feudal system and domestic customs. International market was opened by acquiring colonies. Fur...