The first thing the Meiji government worked on was to solidify the government system centered on the emperor.
First of all, repatriation of the version to return the territory and the territory to the emperor to the feudal lords So, Satsunaga Dohi set an example. Instead of Kokudaka, the former feudal lords were given a family salary (salary) and continued to be entrusted with the feudal affairs.
However, the opposition of the old feudal lords to the new system was strong, and the new government was abolished feudal lord . I am determined to do so.
This Abolition of the Clan * As a result, all the hans were abolished and became prefectures, and the former lords were dismissed and ordered to live in Tokyo. Instead of the former feudal lords, the prefectural governor and prefectural ordinance dispatched by the central government took charge of local administration, and domestic political union was achieved.
* There seems to be a theory that the Bakuhan system collapsed in this abolished feudal clan and the Edo period was virtually over.
Up to this point, the content was written in the flow of the end of the Edo period, but this time the flow of the Meiji era is land tax reform . I would like to write from.
Land tax reform
The financially unstable government decided to revise the land system in order to secure stable financial resources. The private property system of land was approved and the land price was set.
As a point
- Taxable target from harvest so far to land price
- Tax rate is 3% of land price
- Taxpayers from growers to landowners
- Tax payment method is cash tax payment from cash
In this way, the land tax is a standard common throughout the country, and it is collected uniformly in money regardless of the amount of money collected, and the foundation of government finance has been completed.
Aiming for a wealthy soldier
An important task for the new government was to create a strong capitalist nation on par with Western countries. So-called Fukoku Kyohei Strategy is.
Japan lags behind Western countries in every aspect, so shokusan kogyo Was promoted by the government.
In the financial sector, the New Currency Act has been established, and yen / sen / 厘 The unit of is completed. In addition, the National Bank Ordinance was promulgated to establish the Daiichi National Bank.
Communication and transportation are rapidly developing, and a government-owned postal system is established that turns into a hikyaku. As a result, mail has come to arrive at a flat rate nationwide. , Yataro Iwasaki in the shipping industry Developed the business while receiving the protection of the government, and opened foreign routes.
In 1872, we focused on the production of raw silk, which was the center of exports in an attempt to eliminate the trade deficit. Government-owned Tomioka Thread Mill in Gunma Prefecture And introduce the latest French technology.
Since the Meiji era, development of Ezochi Hokkaido Renamed to Pioneer I put it.
The government, which aims to be a wealthy soldier, tried to incorporate Western culture and promote modernization, from Western industrial technology and social systems to learning, thought, and lifestyle.
Along with this, a new trend called civilization is born in the people's lives, and it will spread mainly in big cities.