Japanese
The beginning of Japan's modernization
The new Meiji period and the modernization of Japan were made possible by the modern industries that started here: iron, textiles, and ship manufacturing. In Satsuma, finding a way to bring the level of modernization up to that of the more advanced western civilization became the top priority. As put by Godai Tomoatsu, one of the students sent to England in 1865, in order to reach equality with the western countries, Japan would have to become wealthy.
It is said that the focal point of change in modernization of the Meiji period was Kagoshima. As such, the history of Kagoshima has a close relationship to what Japan is today.
the Kagoshima cotton mill (C)
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