Researcher(s):
Tom Wilson
ENVS course(s): 400 Initiated: September 2011 Completed: May 2012 Go to project site
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During the mid 19th century Japan began their push for modernization in order to join the group of major powers. As part of this push for modernization, they moved into Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of Japan formerly known as Ezo. Before, Hokkaido had been a major trading outpost for the Japanese, and became part of the Japanese nation at the beginning of the Meiji era. In this project I will focus on Hokkaido and the way that this push for modernization led to the increased extraction and exploitation of natural resources in Hokkaido. I will explore in detail how Hokkaido’s resources were exploited by addressing 5 major industries. I argue that the extraction and exploitation of Hokkaido’s natural resources were central to the development and modernization of Japan.