Education of recruits and training of commanding staff of the Japanese Imperial Army in the early years of the Meiji era (1868-1912)

The purpose of this article is to analyze the history of the formation of the training and educational system of the Japanese Imperial Army personnel in the Meiji period. In the structure of the new state, the armed forces were given a key role. They were supposed to ensure the security of the new government, contribute to the abolition of unequal treaties, and become an instrument for creating a rich country. On this basis, throughout the Meiji period, the main attention of the Japanese leadership was directly or indirectly paid to the armed forces, as evidenced by the slogan “fukoku kyo:hei” - “a rich country - a strong army”, chosen as the basis of Japanese state policy. The foundations for training army personnel laid down by the bakufu were successfully used and improved by the Meiji government. The former opposition, which came to power as a result of the revolution and took all the key posts in the new state apparatus, saw as its first priority the strengthening of its own power, the danger to which was represented by both internal (the threat of powerful uprisings) and external (Western pressure) factors. The only opportunity to do this was not just to create the armed forces, but also to train loyal officers. In the early years of Meiji, military education took place in military units and military schools. Thus, we have the right to say that military education was subdivided into general and special, that is, a system was created that exists to this day in all countries without exception. The process of formation of military schools in Japan was distinguished by such essential principles as the constant search for ways to improve the officer training system, studying and using professional best practices of Western countries. The article discusses the basic military educational institutions, including the Military Gymnasium - Yōnen gakkō, the Military (Officer) School - Shikan gakkō, Military Academy - Rikugun daigakkō.

Japanese Imperial Army, Ōmura Masujirō, Yamagata Aritomo, Military Gymnasium, Officer School, Military Academy

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