Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/496

One of the evil results of the feudal system was that labour was very much despised, and the labouring classes, whose social position was the lowest of all, enjoyed but few privileges. Since the abolition of the feudal system, however, the industries of the country having made rapid progress, things have totally changed, and the industrial system, which is the backbone of national strength, has begun to be gradually developed. As may be expected, this progress has, on the other hand, tended to cause industrial capital to fall into the hands of a few monopolists. Industrial progress, concentration of capital, and complete organization of the industrial system, have of late seriously engaged the attention of the Japanese. It is evident that the labour problem must always be closely connected with the study of these important questions, and it is needless to say that labourers constitute the principal factor in industrial progress. The important position of them in relation to industry has been long since recognised by the intelligent people of the country, amongst whom may be mentioned Baron Kaneko Kentaro, who, while he was the Minister for Agriculture and Commerce, endeavoured to draw up a scheme of factory legislation.

The war with China in 1894 brought great activity to the industry of Japan, and at the same time the demand for labourers rapidly increased. This increased demand for workmen has since then begun to give prominence to the labour question. Previous to the war there were indeed very few people who paid attention to the study of this question. The only incident of importance in connection with the labour question was the movement set on foot by Mr. Kentaro Oh-i, who, supported by his political following, made some attempts towards the solution of this question; but his efforts were by no