Meiji Period → also saw transformation in Japanese society.

  • eg: cities grew rapidly and Tokyo’s population rose form about 600 000 in 1873. → to about 2 000 000 in 1913.

  • many new city dwellers → were young people → who had migrated from countryside for work.

  • Although those who moved to city remained connected to their families → many living in the countryside began to observe a divide in terms of values and attitudes.

  • People → living in the countryside tended to hold on to more traditional values → compared to city dwellers.

social hierarchy → in japan also began to change. samurai → no longer elite class. → replaced by new national army and navy → made up of civilian conscripts.