Japan's Foreign Trade
What was Japan’s primary export during the Meiji era?
Raw silk
By the late 19th century, which country was the main buyer of Japanese silk?
America
What was the government-led effort to modernize Japan’s economy called?
The Meiji Restoration
What type of business conglomerates helped fund Japan's industrialization?
Zaibatsu
Who were the primary laborers in Japan’s early industrial workforce?
Women and children from rural areas
Which treaty opened Japan to foreign trade in 1858?
Treaty of Kanagawa
What was the most important textile industry in Meiji Japan?
Silk industry
What was one major infrastructure project that helped industrialization?
Expansion of railroads
What was the main role of the Bank of Japan, established in 1882?
Centralized monetary policy and stabilized currency
How were factory workers in the Meiji period typically treated?
Poor wages, long hours, and harsh conditions
What was Japan’s most significant import to support industrialization?
Machinery and technology from Europe and the U.S.
Which group of workers was primarily employed in textile factories?
Young Rural Women
Which sector was modernized first under government guidance?
Military and heavy industries like shipbuilding
Which financial policy helped Japan secure funds for industrial growth?
Heavy taxation on farmers to fund industry
What system bound workers to factory jobs with strict rules and dormitories?
Indentured contract system
By 1900, Japan had become a major competitor in what industry?
Cotton textiles
What technological innovation helped increase textile production?
Power looms and reeling machines
What educational reform helped Japan develop a skilled workforce?
Establishment of technical schools and universities
What foreign source did Japan rely on to finance industrialization?
Foreign loans and investment in railways, shipbuilding, etc.
What was one major health risk for female silk workers?
Respiratory diseases from silk-reeling fumes
How did Japan’s trade policy change after gaining full tariff autonomy in 1899?
Imposed protective tariffs to support domestic industries
Name a key Meiji-era textile factory that became a model for industrial production.
Tomioka Silk Mill
What was the slogan that summarized Japan’s approach to modernization?
"Fukoku Kyōhei"—Enrich the country, strengthen the military
What was the government's strategy of selling state-run industries to private businesses called?
Privatization under the Matsukata Fiscal Policy
What was the average working day length for textile workers in Meiji Japan?
Around 12-14 hours per day