ABSTRACT
The revolutionary changes that were introduced by the Meiji leaders and the large-scale exposure to a totally new civilization profoundly affected all segments of the society. The reactions to this were varied: some sought to resist or challenge the alterations, whereas others reacted positively by adjusting to the new situation and contributing to the process of modernization. The government leaders continued to introduce changes in a persistent attempt to adapt Western institutions and practices to make them suitable for Japan. In the middle decades of the Meiji era they managed to reinforce and consolidate the changes they had introduced while moving toward the goal of “enriching and strengthening” the nation. In the next two chapters we shall first examine the reactions, responses, and consequences that followed the initial phase of the Meiji revolution, and then have a look at the continuing process of that revolution.
