근대 일본 형성기의 지역주의

Abstract

]The intent of this work is to analyze the characteristics of regionalism in modern Japan particularly in terms of the political processes and hanbatu of the early Meiji period. Although it is certain, from the investigation, that the hanbatu clan, centered in Satuma and Tyosyu, is the key element to understand the political history of Japan in the Meiji period, distinct points are hardly found with regard to "regionalism."Given the case of Satuma-batu, the early period is characterized by a regionalism that represents a structure and a social relationship according to the already existed geographical relationship. These relationships enabled regions to support and aid to each other in various ways. However, the following stages in history show no particular long-term traits nor political influences. It entails that the closed regionalism might act as a great obstacle to political development, which is shown in the trend of power deterioration in contrast to the strength of regional union. On the other hand, Tyosyu-batu faced consequences, after the death of Kido, such as the dramatic weakening of regionalism and the severing of relationships between regional groups in the light of social relationships resulting in the move to kanryo-batu. The results of this shift suggests that factionalism would have been more effective than regionalism. The reason why the characters of regionalism failed to put down roots with continuity may be noted as following. It has to do with characteristics typical of the process of the Modern Japan Formation as a nation state.