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Turkey in Asia: Japan

ARMY AND NAVY. -The army of Japan, since 1869, has been composed of a single element, the troops kept by the Mikado constituting the imperial army. By a decree issued in 1872 the liability to arms was made general; but even as late as 1878 this order had not been carried out. The imperial army at present is quite quite small, there being 60,456 officers and men. It is formed upon the French system. The navy, according to latest reports, consisted of 29 vessels, including one iron clad frigate, two iron-clad and two wooden corvettes, three schooners, a gunboat, a trans- , a transport, and a yacht. The navy is manned by 1200 sailors, and naval instruction is given by English officers, of whom there are about 30 commissioned and noncommissioned.

GREAT CITIES. -Tokio, as it is now called, and which prior to 1868 was known as Yeddo, or Jeddo, is the capital of Japan, and located on Hondo, the main island, on the bay of Yedo. The city exceeds in area any American or European city, comcity, comprising 60 sq. m., but of this a large portion is taken up with sacred groves, gardens, temples, etc. The portion that is built up covers 28 sq. m., greatly cut up by moats and canals. The streets are regular, wide, and clean, and on every hand are abunare abundant evidences of the high appreciation of European civilization. The city has a large police force; there are railway and telegraph lines communicating with Yokohama and other commercial cities; there are government buildings, universities, schools attended by over 100,000 pupils, several Christian churches, banks, business houses, more than a dozen newspapers, manufacturing establishments, etc. The population of Tokio, which at one time had the reputation of being the most populous city in the world, was-1887-1,121,000. Yokohama, 17 m. from Tokio, is, more than any other city in the empire perhaps, noted for its advanced European and American characteristics, together with its peculiar native appointments. The city, was twice-in 1860 and 1866-nearly ruined by fire, but has since been rebuilt on the original plan. It is noted for its native shops, where lacquer-ware, bronze, and inlaid work, ivory carvings, etc., are sold. Other leading cities of Japan are: Hiogo, Ozaka , including its surburban district; Nagasaki. The latter city is a great depot for pottery.

ARTS AND SCIENCES. - While the Japanese are good farmers, they are also most ingenious mechanics. Japan or lacquer-work, carvings, mosaics, and bronzes have been brought to a high state of efficiency. As jewellers and workers in metals the natives also rank very high. They are as imitative as the Chinese, and also possess much originality. The science of medicine, the study of astronomy and mathematics, and the art of printing, painting, and sculpture have been carried on in Japan from remote ages. The people share the Chinese fondness for the drama, and for poetry of an amatory and imaginative character. Histories and encyclopædias in from 20 to 500 volumes are common.

RELIGION.-Shintoism and Buddhism are the two great religions of Japan. The former consists in reverence for departed ancestors and the worship of an enormous number of deities, and inculcates the strictest obedience to the existing powers. It is the ancient faith, but Buddhism is the most popular among the common people.

GOVERNMENT.-The government of Japan is an absolute monarchy. It was in 1869 that it was adopted, when the now ruling sovereign overthrew the power of the Tycoon, together with that of the principal feudal nobles, known as Daimios, thereby reducing the latter to the position of tenants of vast estates in their hereditary possessions. The Emperor's title is Supreme Lord, or Emperor, but he is known as the Mikado. His power is absolute in temporal and spiritual affairs. There is an executive ministry modelled after that of Napoleon III. There is a Senate of 30 members and a Council of State of an unlimited number of members both nominated by the Mikado and consulted by him at pleasure. There is no regular succession to the throne, but in case of the death or abdication of the sovereign, the crown devolves on either the eldest or most distinguished member of his house, but not on his son. Generally palace intrigues settle the choice. The throne can be occupied by a female, but, if single, she must at once marry within the royal families of the empire. The basis of the present government is partly European. While the Mikado is an absolute monarch, the work of government is carried on by the Great Council, made up of a premier, with his advisers, etc., and divided into three distinct bodies which prepare and discuss laws, decide ordinary questions, points of great importance being reserved for the Great Council, over which the Mikado presides. In the provinces prefects are selected to govern, one residing in each of the 75 districts into which Japan is divided. The powers of these prefects are wide and varied, but they cannot carry into execution sentences involving death or banishment until the minister of justice shall have confirmed them. The minister of justice is a member of one of the three sections of the Great Council.