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.