Industrial Revolution Spreads to Japan

This excerpt is a translation of a Japanese factory song called "In the Midst of Mountains Everybody Knows," which dates back to the 1880s. The song captures the harsh realities of life for factory workers during the early years of Japan's industrialization.

Source 1

In the midst of the mountains everybody knows, Where the sound one hears is the sound of waterfalls One finds the Fuji Cotton-Spinning Company of Suruga I came here as a punishment for defying my parent Now I toil at Suruga, Never to defy my parents again. People come to Suruga, Thinking they will save money, But one cannot make any money here. We don’t sleep at night, we work the evening shift. Our life spans are shortened. All of the us are wretched, all.... Though the regulations are unjust, This factory was a built on regulations. And if they are broken it’s an offense.... Stealthily I creep to the gate To be abused by the gatekeeper. Weeping, I flee to the dormitory.

In the Midst of Mountains Everybody Knows, Japanese Factory Song, 1880s

Question 1

Short answer

Identify one economic trend in 1880s Japan that influenced the writing of this excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Explain one way that economic advances like those the excerpt describes affected Japan's standing in Asia.

Question 3

Short answer

Compare one way that the treatment of workers described in the excerpt was similar to or different than what English textile workers experienced in the early 19th century.

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