Japan by the Japanese/Chapter 4

I was one of the first Japanese to visit foreign lands, and was only able to do so by stealth, escaping to Shanghai in 1863. The country was only just opened to foreign intercourse, and Japanese subjects were not yet allowed to leave the country.

I have always been very much in favour of the adoption of the principles of Western civilization by Japan, and I have been enabled to use my services in the direction of assisting the present progress and transformation in Japan’s estate. In the thirty-four years during which I have held office I have always tried to help, and sometimes even to force on to the antagonistic spirits, measures necessary for the growth of modern Japan. From the beginning we realized fully how necessary it was that the Japanese people should not only adopt Western methods, but should also speedily become competent to do without the aid of foreign instruction and supervision. In the early days we brought many foreigners to Japan to help to introduce modern methods, but we always did it in such a way as to enable the Japanese students to take their rightful place in the nation after they had been educated. I must say that sometimes the foreigners, and even the foreign nations themselves, endeavoured to take advantage of the Japanese inexperience by passing men off as experts when they really knew next to nothing of the subjects for which they were engaged. We were, however, able to secure the services of many excellent men whose names are still honoured in Japan, although they themselves have long since left her shores.

On the occasion of my second visit to London as one of the Ambassadors of our country, it was suggested to me that it would be most beneficial to establish a special Engineering College in Japan, where every branch of engineering should be taught. Such a college would be quite unique, no other nation having one. The idea seemed a very good one, and on my return to Japan I took the necessary steps, and with the ​assistance of foreign professors we founded an Engineering College, now incorporated in the Tokyo University. From this institution have come the majority of engineers who are now working the resources and industries of Japan. I consider the establishment of this college as one of the most important factors in the development of Japan of to-day.

It was most necessary that Japan should not only be educated, but also provided with suitable codes of laws, before there could be any question of a revision of the treaties with foreign nations, and for a considerable time all our efforts were turned in this direction.

There are two events in Japanese history that have been all-important. The first was the change of régime of government of the country and the promulgation of the Constitution, and the other was the Chino-Japanese War. I spent much time away from Japan studying the Constitutions of various countries, the Emperor having ordered me to undertake the arduous task of framing a draft of the new Japanese Constitution. The work was very difficult and necessitated much thought. Never before had there been a Constitution, in the modern sense of the word, in Japan, to help me to know what were the most vital points to be provided for in the new code. The country had been so essentially a non-constitutional and feudal one that it was difficult to sit down on the débris of its past history and prepare off-hand a Constitution for it; and even when I had decided as to what was most necessary, it required very great care to insure the proper working and execution of the various provisions. I had always to remember that my work was intended as a permanent measure, and therefore I had to examine all the possible effects likely to arise from it in the distant future. Above all, there was the pre-eminent importance to be attached to the necessity of safeguarding the sacred and traditional rights of the Sovereign. With the assistance of my secretaries and collaborators—all of them as devoted to the work as myself—I accomplished my task as well as I could, and it is not without some satisfaction that I see that it has not been found necessary to amend the Constitution since its promulgation.

The old election law, however, having been found unsatisfactory, we have introduced an improved one, one of the principal changes in which is that the voting is by secret ballot, instead of by signed ballot, as at present; another important change being the insertion of provisions for more ample representation of commercial and industrial elements of the country, and the business tax. According to the new law, if any candidate should resort to corrupt means to secure his election, the proceedings would become, owing to the secrecy of the ballot, ​much more uncertain and much more costly than at present. This new law was experimented with at the election of 1902.

I have always recognised the vital importance of a supremely efficient navy and army. The former is made the more important by our insular position. Our programme of naval expansion laid down after the Chinese War in 1895 is practically completed, and Japan possesses now a homogeneous and powerful modern fleet. In its numbers are included several of the largest and best-armed battleships and cruisers, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that the Japanese sailors and officers are fully as efficient in every respect as the ships they man. Our navy is largely of British construction, and we have made that country our model in this department, although, following the principles that have enabled us to make our progress in the past, we are always anxious and ready to take advantage of improvements from any source.

Although it has been necessary first of all to develop our fleet, the army, too, has not been neglected. It has been more than doubled of late, and has now a war footing of over 500,000 men. The bold experiment of conscription, tried at the beginning of the New Era, has proved itself on many occasions—notably, the Satsuma Rebellion, the Chinese War, and the Boxer outbreak. On the last occasion the Japanese army was enabled to play a very great part in the relief of Peking, and showed to the other allies a striking illustration of organization, morale, personnel, and equipment; and this efficiency and thoroughness are to be found through and through our army system. First based on French, and later on German models, with foreign instructors, the Japanese army has since developed a model of its own, and has proved its capability of training and further developing itself.

Although so much has already been done in respect to the army, I believe we shall not remain idle, and even if no great increase in numbers should be made in the near future, great efforts will continue towards the further improvement of the training and efficiency of the soldiers. In Japan we have the advantage that, although the soldiers are raised by conscription, every conscript is animated by the highest sense of patriotism and pride in his country.

In commercial and industrial matters Japan is becoming well established, and is making secure her hold upon the markets of the Far East. The resources of the country are very good, the coal-supply especially being abundant. Although many of the beds are not of first-class quality, still, the fact that there is an abundance of coal is a very important factor in the national economy and strength. Besides coal, there are considerable oil deposits in the northern provinces of Japan, and these are now ​beginning to be systematically worked in connection with the Standard Oil Trust. The iron deposits are also considerable, but largely undeveloped as yet, Japan relying on foreign countries for the greater portion of her present supply of iron ore. Copper, a metal of which the importance becomes yearly greater, is found and worked in very considerable quantities.

Japan’s financial position is by no means so bad as often depicted, thanks to the growing material prosperity of the empire. When the effects of the economic depression of 1900–01 shall have passed away, Japan will advance still more rapidly than at present.

But whatever causes may have helped Japan in her progress, and however much we may have been instrumental in the achievements of the past years, they become insignificant when compared to what the country owes to His Majesty the Emperor. The Imperial will has ever been the guiding star of the nation. Whatever may have been the work done by those who, like myself, tried to assist him in his enlightened government, it could not have achieved such wonderful results had it not been for the great, progressive, and wise influence of His Majesty the Emperor, ever behind each new measure or reform. From the Emperor, Japan has learned that lesson which has made her what she is at present. In connection with the growth of Japan I cannot do better than quote some extracts from a speech which I made in 1899, just before the coming into force of the revised treaties.

It is true that the readjustment of the State finance and the completion of the military preparations are very important questions of the day; but there is another question scarcely less important than those above referred to, namely, the enforcement of the revised treaties, for the concluding of which both the Government and the people have made steady efforts in every way since the Restoration, and which have at last been crowned with brilliant success. Now, the time of the enforcement of the revised treaties coming near, what we have to consider is how the revised treaties can be effectively put into force. Is there any country in the Orient, except Japan, which preserves the full right of an independent State? A country cannot be said to have preserved the full right of independence unless it is able to exercise its own jurisdiction freely, and conduct its own administration without restriction in the interior. Then, what is the case with Japan? Preserving the full right of independence, she has now brought all the foreigners residing within her empire under her own jurisdiction and administration, and is protecting them like the subjects of the empire. Such being the case, it is not exaggeration to say that Japan far surpasses all the rest of the Orient. To enforce the revised ​treaties freely and smoothly is to prove the fact that Japan is the most civilized country in the Far East, and, consequently, not only the Government, but also the local authorities, municipal corporations, courts of justice, police-stations, as well as the general public, must be very careful in the enforcement of the treaties in question; otherwise various affairs, which may be made international questions and cause much trouble to the State, will take place one after another.

As for the State finance, I firmly believe that the Government has proper schemes for administering the State affairs and undertaking various public enterprises in a most satisfactory manner with the present resources of the country, and that the readjustment of the finance will be perfectly effected in future by means of the increase or reduction of tax, according to circumstances. Another important question of the day is that of our military armaments. It is very easy to speak of the completion of armaments, but when we undertake this great task practically, we shall meet with many difficulties on account of the fact that it extends over a number of years. Nevertheless, it is to be hoped that the completion of armaments will be promptly effected to our entire satisfaction.

Besides the complete victory in the war with China and the success of treaty revision, Japan may be proud of the speediness of her material progress, because she has made a progress seldom paralleled in the modern history of the world. For instance, the system of conscription having been introduced into our country shortly after the abolition of a long-rooted feudal system, it seemed to foreigners improbable that it would be successfully carried out; but it was introduced easily and perfectly, and may serve as a demonstration of how Japan surpasses her neighbouring countries, China and Corea.

Next we come to the marked development of the national resources. According to the statistics of our foreign trade for 1872 and 1873, the total amount of our annual exports and imports stood then at about 30,000,000 yen only, while it rose to over 440,000,000 yen in 1898, the rapid increase being unexampled anywhere else in the world. And, furthermore, our commerce and industry have suddenly made a marked progress since the year 1885 or thereabouts. Last year, when I was still holding the office of Premier, I made a full investigation of the general features of our commercial and industrial progress, and found that the total amount of capital invested in various enterprises of the country stood then at about 900,000,000 yen. Of course, this figure represents the aggregate sum of the authorized capital, and I cannot now tell you the exact amount of the capital actually paid up, but I think the latter may be safely estimated at about 500,000,000 yen. It is true that there ​are included in this figure those funds needed for the undertaking of Government works, such as the construction of railways, the extension of telegraphic service, etc. But, at any rate, it is certain that such a large amount of capital has been invested in various enterprises of the country. Thus, commercial and industrial enterprises of various kinds have sprung up in Japan in recent years with such rapid strides as is seldom seen in the newly-developed countries of the world; and in this respect she does not stand behind the European States, with the exception of rich countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. Then we may fairly say that our national resources have made a marvellously rapid development in recent years.

The population of Japan has increased over 10,000,000 since the Restoration. In this connection I made full investigation of old official records concerning the population, and found, strange to say, that the increase of our population was very slow in the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate. According to the official estimates made in the Genroku era, our total population numbered only 26,000,000 or 27,000,000, notwithstanding the fact that it made an unprecedented increase in the said era, while its numbers have increased by over 10,000,000 during the past thirty years only. It is evident that such an increase of population would not be made unless it was accompanied by a corresponding increase of the national wealth, for a man can find employment only when there is a place to use his labour, and thereby secure a means of livelihood. Then, the great increase of population may be taken as another good evidence of the marked development of our national wealth.

However, if we wish to compete successfully with the nations of the world, we must co-operate with the Government to devise a scheme for the gradual progress of the country. It must be remembered that the greater the progress is of a country, the greater is the increase of its national wealth and prestige, though at the same time its people are compelled to take a greater responsibility upon themselves. For should the national wealth be greatly increased, and the country be regarded by other Powers as one of the powerful States of the world, those Powers would certainly watch every action of the country. Our earnest desire is to make the country continue in its progress permanently, without a stop of a single moment, but it is not an easy task to do so. In some cases we may be exposed to such a danger as to injure our national prestige, should we undertake the proceedings on that occasion. It is therefore very necessary for us always to act with great caution; particularly must we refrain from the abuse of military power, for if we abuse military power, and suffer a complete defeat, not only our ​national prestige is greatly injured, but the ruin of the country is not unlikely.

The future of China is a question of the world, not of the Far East only. Then, the following questions may be asked: What will be the future state of affairs in China? What position will Japan hold in China in future, who has a much greater interest there than anyone on account of her being situated in such close neighbourhood? In answer, I can but say that it is at present too difficult to express any definite opinion. Since the war with Japan, China has been exposed to an increasing danger day by day, and almost all the powers of the world have had close relations with China from various causes. This state of things makes me think that it is very necessary for China to maintain her own independence at this juncture, and to take steps to place her country on a firm foundation; while, on the other hand, this line of action on the part of Japan lays her open to the thought held by some, that Japan has a great interest indirectly in the independence of China. This was the reason of my making a tour of China, and having interviews with notable Chinese statesmen, who, having the great respect and esteem of the people, are holding the administrative power of the State, and expressing to them my views on the most important subjects which ought to have their careful consideration. On my inspection of the actual condition of China, I found that, although she is now running a danger day by day which might plead for prompt action, it would be difficult to reform at once the prevailing customs and usages, as well as the present system of administration, which has been handed down from ancient times, and thereby improve the state of things in the country. It must be admitted that many favourable opportunities to carry out these reforms have already been missed. Thus, in the interviews which I often had during my stay there, with the notable Chinese statesmen, I expressed my views above referred to, and they all agreed in theory, but unanimously said that it would be very hard to carry out such reforms as I suggested.

China possesses a vast dominion of many times the total area of Japan, and her population is not less than ten times that of the latter. She is abundant in products, with facilities for inland navigation; her people are generally very diligent, and the condition of their life very low. If, therefore, the proper method of improving her commerce and industry were adopted in China, she would be able to produce abundant commodities to supply almost all the markets of the world. Unfortunately, however, she could not adopt such a wise policy in the past on account of her adherence to old usages, and even the adoption of it in the future seems doubtful, ​as it seems to be improbable that she will exert herself to promote her domestic commerce and industry to a great extent. Such being the case, several Powers of the world are competing with one another to develop the abundant resources of China with their own funds by means of the construction of railways, the setting up of various industries, the undertaking of mining operations, etc. If the resources of China, whose population numbers over 400,000,000, are greatly developed by foreigners, our trade with China is sure to make marked progress, and we shall be able to supply that neighbouring country with large quantities of commodities before it becomes fully developed.

The foreign trade of Japan has made considerable progress since the Restoration of 1868, with the United States of America as her best customer. But we must not rest contented with this, but try to make China a great market for our products. It is evident that our trade has to make progress under the rule of demand and supply, for if there is no demand for our products we cannot promote our trade, however much we may have to supply. Then, it is very necessary for us to extend gradually the market for our products while promoting the production of the country. In my opinion, China is a country to demand our products to a much greater extent, and to become our best customer in the future, so that it behoves us to always pay a keen attention to the state of affairs in that country.

It will be seen from the above statements that, merely from the point of view of our trade relations with China, it is a very important question which requires our careful consideration. Besides, we have a great interest in the changes of the political state of affairs in China, so that in some cases our country might stand in such a position as not to be able to look upon them with passive inactivity. Under these circumstances, it is very necessary for our country to complete its military preparations and to put the state of finance upon a sound basis as soon as possible. I think the Government should be bending their efforts toward making various necessary preparations, but the people must also bear the above facts in their minds and take steps to provide for contingencies.