Question

What effects did the meiji restoration have on Japan's economy

Answer 1

The Meiji restoration accelerated industrialization,land reform and brought massive change to the social structure in Japan. Thus, this helped the economy in many ways. Samurais, which were an elite class in Japan, were very expensive to upkeep and the Meiji restoration abolished this. Villagers were able to lease land to other farmers, which made them rich, as the social classes interacted more with one another. The Meiji also regulated that everyone spoke the Samurai Japanese dialect, so that there was no distinction/discrimination between classes based on someone's dialect and more of an equal chance was given to individuals. The military was also strengthened and the booming industry required a massive increase in production providing many with jobs in industrial and infrastructure occupations.