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New land tax saves the day?Farmers complain alreadyBy Sherry Hsiao

A new land tax has been introduced. The Meiji government has decided that reforming the taxation will ease the burden of heavy public spending on new capital for industry. Whether or not they are right is yet to be determined. However, the reality is that starting from this year, 1873, all farmers will have to pay 3% of their annual crop to the government. This may seem like an insignificant portion of the farmers’ crop, however, farmers who have heard this news have already complained that this will become a heavy burden on them.

“This is unfair. We [farmers] spend our entire lives in the fields yet we are among the poorest of our country. We provide food to everyone, yet we have little for ourselves. The new land tax is certainly going to cause trouble and push us to our limits.” says Tohachiro Motoyori, a farmer in Kyushu.

O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , M e i j i government officials are arguing that unless taxation is reformed, Japan will face even worse financial problems than the ones that already exist.

Government official Matakuro Naganari says, “In the short run, unfortunately, the new land tax is certainly bound to pressurize our farmers. However, our country is in desperate need of money. We believe that the new land tax will become Japan’s largest source of revenue and finance our transition to a modern economy.”

Unfortunately, Matakuro Naganari was not lying. Since the defeat of the last shogun late in 1867, the Mei j i government has been struggling to obtain money. The cost involved in crushing the clans threatening to the imperial regime had led to public spending. Situations did not improve the following year in 1868, wh e n t h e n a t i o n a l g ove r n m e n t expenditure was announced to be over thirty million yen while the money gained from land taxes and other sources of income was only a bare three million. This imbalance worried the Japanese population. To make things worse, inflation began to run high, internal revenue decreased, and the multiple forms of currency made it impossible to trade.

Since then, the Meiji government has made attempts and plans to improve the economy. There are rumors that the unification of currency in 1871 had been a success and the complete replacement of clan notes will be completed within a few years. However, there is also the banking system that has yet to improve. Last year, the American system of national banking was adopted as a model for Japan. Since then, four national banks have also been established clearly under pressure from the government. However, recently there have been signs of poor management and lack of cooperation within the workers. On the bright side, the telegraph, railway, and the rise of the

Z a i b a t s u w e r e definitely known accomplishments by t h e M e i j i government. The first railway line was laid between Tokyo and Yokohama last year. Optimist ic government officials have announced that the amount of people riding the trains will top 2 million by the end of this year. There are also plans that a similar line will be built from Kobe to

Osaka next year. The telegraph lines and selling of industries to private companies in 1880 are the most beneficial achievements of the Meiji government since the Restoration began. Telegraph lines are now linking all major Japanese cities and the companies the government sold off have since grown into large business combines, providing a strong financial base for industry for Japan.

After months of suffering from financial problems due to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the need for the reorganization of Meiji Japan, Japan is finally showing signs of improvement in the economy. The Meiji leaders’ dreams for Japan to become a “rich country with a strong military” might actually come true in the near future. Meanwhile, sacrifices are still being made by the farmers as a result of the new land tax.

MEIJITIMESInside this IssueLOCAL NEWS:“New land tax saves the day?”.............................page 1

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:“Boxer Rebellion reaches climax”...........................page 2

THE LIFESTYLE SECTION:Food: “Meat Eating Popular”........................page 3

Fashion: “What’s In, What’s Out?”.............................page 3

Political Cartoons: “Japanese Domination”...................page 3

THE EDITOR’S CORNER:The Editorial: “A Shameful Victory”..........................page 4

Advice: “Dear Amika, Helping the Young Girls”.............page 4

THE WEEKLY INTERVIEW:“Satsuma samurai against government actions”......page 5___________________________LO

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SIssue No. 8 1872-1911

Above: A farmer stands in his field in Kyushu

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In China, there has been a widespread, revolutionary rebellion called the Boxer Rebellion. Emerged by a group of people called the Boxers or the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, they are known for t h e i r p r a c t i c e o f t h e b o d y -strengthening exercise, boxing. These anti-Christian and anti-foreign Boxers aim to restore China’s isolation and are against Chinese government officials who encourage and think that Westernization is necessary for China to succeed in protecting itself. Since its formation in 1898, this seemingly unstoppable uprising has been lasting for several months now. Yet today, this deteriorating situation has reached its climax.

In the countryside, Boxers are wandering around suspiciously. They are attacking Westerners, especially religious missionaries, and Chinese people who have converted to Christianity. These scenes are mainly seen in northeastern China, and at times even Western buildings and churches are being destroyed.

An Italian merchant recalls being attacked by a group of Boxers. “I was

walking down the street, on my way to a local supermarket. I had sensed someone following me, so I turned around the corner and headed towards the police station. Before I knew it, a group of young Chinese men were punching and kicking me. I don’t know the reason for their attack ... I am afraid, but I am innocent” he explains.

However, with the death of Emperor Guanxu, who supported and encouraged Westernization and initiated the Hundred Day’s of Reform to help Westernize China, it is even more difficult now to put an end to this uprising. Now, the power is in the hands of Empress Dowager Cixi, Emperor Guanxu’s aunt. Opposite from her nephew’s attempts and ideas of modernizing China, Empress Cixi opposes reform. Up until a few months ago, Empress Cixi had been secretly supporting the Boxer Rebellion. However, now her support is official, and with the backing up of the Empress, the Boxer Rebellion is going to be hard to defeat.

The Chinese people have been isolated from foreigners, or whom they call “barbarians”, for a long period of

time. As a result, they have established a fairly strong and ethnocentric culture. When Western nations and Christian missionaries began invading China in the late 1800s, the Chinese people feared that their land would soon be carved up into scrambled spheres of influence. This fear soon turned into violence, and thus came the Boxer Rebellion today.

No one knows when or how China’s Boxer Rebellion will end. However, one thing is certain. If the Re b e l l i o n d o e s n ’ t e n d s o o n , international forces will be entering China to stop this uprising from further expanding and threatening the safety of neighboring nations.

“I don’t know the reason for their attack ... I am afraid, but

I am innocent.”Italian merchant,

victim of the Boxer Rebellion

Boxer Rebellion reaches climaxEmpress Cixi’s support worsens situationBy Sherry Hsiao

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Left: Map of Japan and TaiwanA map of Japan and Taiwan created in 1911.

Right: Boxer SoldiersA group of Boxer soldiers gather on the streets.

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FoodMeat Eating PopularBy Toki Yukino

Recently, there has been a craze for Western foods. Meat eating, which used to be considered immoral due to the Buddhist beliefs of most Japanese people, is now encouraged. Bread, beer, and dairy products are also now seen everywhere. However, with no doubt, the most popular dishes are the beef dishes, Sukiyaki and Teriyaki. They are appearing in the menus of every restaurant. People are even lining up in front of restaurants now just to taste this unfamiliar dish, a situation that has never occurred before with Japanese food. Western dishes are now generally preferred above any Japanese dish, and since August of 1872, in just three months, hundreds of Western restaurants have been opened.

FashionWhat’s In, What’s Out?By Akechi Koree

Under Tokugawa rule, one’s dress revealed their social status. The upper classes could wear silks and satins while the lower classes were strictly limited to hemp and cotton. However, since the Meiji government decided that Western dress should be worn for all court and official ceremonies earlier this year, the demand for Western clothing has spread like wildfire. Now, the cutaway or ‘morning coat’ is the standard dress for formal occasions. Check out this latest fashion in stores right now!

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Political CartoonsJapanese Domination

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Like the design above? Get it for an incredible price of ¥5000 right now at Tailor’s! Hurry up before it’s too late!

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A Shameful VictoryThe EditorialBy Amika Takame

Yesterday, on November 21, 1894, the Manchurian fortress of Port Arthur finally fell. This fortress that soldiers of my country have defeated is considered one of the strongest in Asia. Even a French Admiral declared that it would take a mighty force from both land and sea to break into it. To everyone’s surprise, Japan was the mighty force.

However, I am not proud of our soldiers. During the three months of the bloody, drawn out battle, Japanese soldiers have slaughtered millions of innocent Chinese people. In less than a week, the lives our soldiers have taken amounted up to 60,000. Yet this is not a number we should be proud of. I feel ashamed of our soldiers.

At the entrance of Port Arthur, our soldiers saw the head of a respected Japanese soldier displayed on a wooden stake. This scene filled them with enough rage and enmity to

slaughter anyone they saw, innocent or not. They left Port Arthur with pride, leaving thousands of corpses on the street, hundreds of people homeless, yet they called this “unbounded joy”.

Our soldiers’ loss of control at Port Arthur has threatened our international reputation, and our diplomats are now forced on the defensive. This isn’t a victory we should be proud of.

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“This isn't a victory we

should be proud of.”Arima Takame,

Editor of Meiji Times

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AdviceDear Amika, Helping the Young Girls

Dear Amika,I am the only daughter of a farmer from a poor

village in Kyushu. My family is starving and I’ve heard about girls like me who have traveled overseas to work in foreign brothels for money. When I told my parents about this idea, they disapproved. They don’t want me to sacrifice myself and become a karayuki-san, but I can see that unless I sell myself to a zeegen soon, I will lose my parents because their hands have become so thin and weak they can’t hold a rake properly, and the way their legs tremble when they walk …

Amika, please help me. What should I do?

Love, Reimi

Dear Reimi,I am terribly sorry about the situation you

are in. First of all, I suggest you don’t even think about selling yourself. I have heard about the conditions the karayuki-san survive in, and no girl should ever have to go through that. Don’t worry; there are many other ways you can earn money. First start off by asking your neighbors if they need help with any chores or an extra worker at their store. If that doesn’t work out, look in the careers section of your local newspaper. Your parents are incredibly lucky to have you as their daughter. Good luck and write back!

Love, Amika

Valentine’s Day is coming up!Still haven’t bought your girlfriend anything?

Order this cherry blossom perfume recommended by Amika Takame, editor of Meiji Times, right now!

Call: (03) 3352-6161 ASAP !

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Interviewer: Today, we are honored to have Adachi Yasumori here with us for a brief interview. Adachi Yasumori is a samurai of the famous Satsuma clan. In this interview, we will talk about how the samurai came from helping overthrow the shogun in 1868 to being against the Meiji government’s actions today. First of all, please tell us about your past and family background.

Adachi: I was born into a rich, noble family on March 17th, 1845. My father was a respected member of our clan, and naturally, I was trained to become a samurai. When I was 23, my clan formed a secret alliance with the Choshu clan and together we fought for the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, sometimes I wonder if the Meiji government realizes that if it weren’t for us, they wouldn’t exist and be ruling our country right now. I don’t doubt that overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate was the right choice, I just wish the government would recognize our importance before it’s too late.

Interviewer: When you say “before it’s too late”, what do you mean?

Adachi: Five years ago, the Meiji government introduced the conscription of inexperienced twenty-year-old civilians into the army for three years. This was an unforgivable insult to us. The introducing of the conscription basically abolished our role in society. We felt not only humiliated but also betrayed. Now, our country’s military is dependent on untrained commoners, I truly fear for the safety of our country. Now, my clan has lost faith in the Meiji government. We no longer fully respect and trust our Emperor, and there are rumors that my leader Saigo Takamori is going to lead thousands of samurai into battle against the government forces.

Interviewer: Yes, I have heard of such rumor. However, if this rumor becomes reality, do you think you will participate in such risky attack?

Adachi: I have been debating between my options for several days now. I understand why my leader would be so furious to do such a thing, but at the same time I do not want to see or participate in a battle between my kind and the government forces. I believe that there are greater issues we need to be worried about, and it would only weaken ourselves if we Japanese people fought against ourselves … I do not want to see this happen.

Interviewer: You are right; it would surely be a terrible sign if we were to fight among ourselves rather than with the threatening world outside. However, there have been many acts of disrespect and policies that have alarmed the samurai of Japan since 1871, when the Meiji government made the

wearing of swords optional and allowed men to cut off their topknots. How do you feel about this?

Adachi: In 1871, the government’s indifferent attitude on our traditional Japanese culture outraged me. Men have been wearing the traditional samurai topknot for decades, yet a simple desire for Westernization has allowed our government to abandon this tradition. Now, I see men on the streets proud of their Western-style haircuts, and it upsets me.

I n t e r v i e w e r : Later on in March of 1876, the Hatori Edict prohibited the wearing of swords in public except on ceremonial occasions. How did the samurai react to this and how was it dealt with?

Adachi: We were beyond furious. Protecting our country and people is our duty. Not allowing us to carry swords in public was like asking us to give up our morals. For a while, we continued wearing our swords in public. Yet the Meiji government soon ordered the law to be reinforced and we were left with no choice.

Interviewer: As we can see here today, the samurai have been holding in their anger towards our government for several years now, yet our government has continuously disappointed them. Whether or not the rumor of a rebellion against the Meiji government is true, I can already imagine it as an ugly battle. Thank you for your time, Adachi Yasumori. Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Adachi: Yes, I wish that our government would see this as a warning. My leader is a determined and strong-willed samurai, yet he will not attack without reason. It has been a pleasure being here today, thank you.

Satsuma samurai against government actionsInterview with a Satsuma SamuraiBy Kimura Yukime

“... there are greater issues we need to be worried about, and it would only weaken ourselves if we Japanese people fought against

ourselves ... ”Adachi Yasumori, Satsuma samurai

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Copyright © 2010 by Sherry Hsiao

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