Behind every success is the journey to it. Japan has always been one of the most educationally successful countries on the world, yet, its success comes with a long period of modifications and changes to its education system. When European countries travelled throughout the world with their advanced technology and science, Japan was still struggling with its weak and corrupted government. In 1853, Tokugawa era, Commodore Matthew C. Perry of U.S. navy went to Japan and forced it to allow its merchants to trade with foreign merchants, apparently with greater benefit for foreign merchants. (OECD) Dazed by this event, a large number of low-ranking samurais were resented with the powerlessness of the Emperor with foreign “threats”. Due to this, …show more content…
However, even though introducing many new concepts, Meiji government still managed to remind itself and its government that traditional values of Japanese would never be lost. In the Imperial Rescript, the emperor greatly emphasized that traditional values of Japan were primary in this revolution of education. Values such as respect to elders, obligation to achieve one’s fullest potential, and duty in a group are greatly demanded and upheld by …show more content…
This charter was released in the time when a majority of people in Japan was confused and uncertain in what actions and priorities the new government would take after replacing Tokugawa government. Stated clearly and boldly in the charter, the new government would seek knowledge from throughout the world (hints the Westernization of Japan) and pass it back to the people; also, it would guarantee the freedom of oneself to pursue whichever goal one has set out. Nonetheless, the charter called for the cooperation of every officials to unite under the emperor to settle national aims and