Japan Abolishes Castes: Meiji Modernization Begins
Japan dismantled its rigid Shinōkōshō caste system in 1869, erasing centuries-old legal barriers between samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. This radical shift allowed the Meiji government to mobilize a unified national workforce and military, directly fueling the rapid industrialization that transformed Japan into a global power within decades.
August 2, 1869
157 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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