Abstract
Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to show that Takahira Kanda’s（ 1830―98） evaluation of “the
people” was closely related to his political and economic reform plans.
Since the early 19th century, ships from American and European countries had been
coming to Japan, and the Tokugawa Shogunate felt compelled to reinforce their armaments.
In order to raise the vast funds necessary for reinforcement, the shogunate tried to promote
various domestic industries. The Meiji Government that later overthrew the shogunate also
succeeded in such promotional policies. Thus, “the modernization” policies of the government
spread to several fields, and the top governmental officials, bureaucrats, and western
scholars presented numerous modernization plans, most of them insisting that the government
carry out various reforms. However, they believed that “the people” were “ignorant” and
did not have the ability to be involved with such reforms.
On the other hand, Kanda evaluated “the people” as political and economic subjects.
Such ideas had already appeared by the end of the shogunate. In Nosyoben（ 1862）, Kanda
insisted that “the people” are independent economic subjects with political interest; he succeeded
to gain recognition for his thoughts after the Meiji Era. Thus, the idea of the assembly
and patent systems in Japan was based on the recognition of his thoughts.
In order to carry out his reform plans, Kanda had to wipe out the evaluation of people
made by the top governmental officials and bureaucrats and hence made his reform plans
public through magazines and newspapers. His activities were closely watched by the top
governmental officials, and finally the Meiji government managed to weaken his influence.
However, his thoughts contributed much to the pioneering achievement of “the local notable
theory” during the middle of the Meiji Era.
JEL classification number: B 31.
