| 1868. | Opening of Hyōgo (Kōbe) and Ōsaka. |
Emperor’s audience of foreign ministers. |
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Yedo named Tōkyō and made capital. |
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| 1869. | Opening of Yedo and Niigata. |
The “Charter Oath” of Japan. |
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| 1870. | Light-houses, telegraphs. |
| 1871. | Postal system, mint, and dock. |
Feudalism abolished. |
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Eta and hinin (outcasts) admitted to citizenship. |
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Colonization in Yezo [Hokkaidō]. |
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| 1872. | First railway, newspaper, church, and Missionary Conference. |
Imperial University in Tōkyō. |
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Iwakura Embassy to America and Europe. |
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| 1873. | Adoption of Gregorian calendar. |
Removal of anti-Christian edicts. Empress gave audience to foreign ladies. |
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| 1874. | Saga Rebellion. Formosan Expedition. |
| 1875. | Assembly of Governors. Senate. |
Sakhalin traded off for Kurile Islands. |
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| 1876. | Treaty with Korea. |
| 1877. | Satsuma Rebellion. |
First National Exhibition in Tōkyō. |
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| 1878. | Bimetallism. |
Promise to establish Prefectural Assemblies. |
This period was one of laying the foundations of a New Japan, to be constructed out of the old, and was one of such kaleidoscopic changes and marvellous transformations in society, business, and administration that it is almost blinding to the eye to attempt to watch the work of reconstruction. There were abortive but costly attempts, like the Saga and the Satsuma rebellions, to check the progressive policy. It was the great period of “firsts,” of beginnings: the first audiences of foreign ministers by the Emperor and of foreign ladies by the Empress; the first telegraph, mint, dock, railroad, postal system, newspaper, exhibition, church, etc.; an assembly of provincial governors to confer together upon general policy, and a Senate.
The “Charter Oath” of Japan was not obtained by coercion, but voluntarily taken: it is such an important document that at least a summary may be given:87—
“1. A deliberative assembly should be formed, and all measures be decided by public opinion.
“2. The principles of social and political economics should be diligently studied by both the superior and [the] inferior classes of our people.
“3. Every one in the community shall be assisted to persevere in carrying out his will for all good purposes.
“4. All the old absurd usages of former times should be disregarded, and the impartiality and justice displayed in the workings of nature be adopted as a basis of action.
“5. Wisdom and ability should be sought after in all quarters of the world for the purpose of firmly establishing the foundations of the empire.”
Two years later feudalism was abolished by the following laconic decree: “The clans are abolished, and prefectures are established in their places.” In the same year the outcast eta and hi-nin (not-human) were recognized as common people. Then followed the despatch of the Iwakura Embassy to America and Europe, where, although they failed in their prime purpose of securing a revision of the treaties on more nearly equal terms, they learned most valuable lessons. Two immediate results thereof were seen in the removal of the anti-Christian edicts and the adoption of the Gregorian, or Christian, calendar. And finally came the promise to establish prefectural assemblies as training schools in local self-government.