Meiji Modernization

- no cabinet could be formed if the Office of Army or Navy did not supply generals or admirals from active list to fill the posts of Ministers of War / Navy

- domination of the militarist in the government

- cabinet & parties failed to deal with the militarists

- military decision affected the national politics

Econ modernization

- industrialization

- 1880s, sale of government factories to Zaibatsu

- zaibatsu's influence extended into different economic sectors & even politics

- concentration of wealth & power

- expansionist policy: foreign market, resources

Military modernization

- After 1890s, attention was more concentrated on Japan's ability to fight & win a foreign war & to acquire imperialist interest overseas

- Long militarist tradition - traditional samurai spirit & imperial nationalism

- teaching soldiers the values of obedience & discipline

- 1900 imperial decree

Education modernization

- Strict government control of education

- 1890 Imperial Rescript

- taught unquestioned loyalty & obedience to emperor, nationalist spirit

- spirit in education system was still very Japanese: loyalty, worship, Shintoism

Ideology, thought & religion

- Shintoism

- ultra-nationalism

- blind obedience & loyalty

- militant nationalism

- aggressive

- expansionist policy

- expansionist aggression in Asia