The industrialization of Japan in the nineteenth century
"The Kamaishi iron deposit consists of several clusters of oxidized iron ore on volcanic rock. It is quite different from the clayed iron ores layered upon coal beds that are commonly found in Britain. The quality of the Kamaishi ore can be categorized as magnetic iron ore of the highest rank. It contains 70% iron, while clayed ore contains only 20–30%. Therefore, in order to produce high quality iron, it was necessary for the government to build a charcoal blast furnace and to order a furnace from Britain. As British engineers were informed that the Kamaishi deposit was rich and the surrounding woods were abundant, they designed a huge charcoal furnace. However, the operation was interrupted within only ninety days.
Recently I had a chance to investigate the situation at Kamaishi. After the investigation, I found that despite the claim that Kamaishi is a rich deposit, first of all, the real estimation of the exposed deposit is only about 130 thousand tons. Moreover, because of its mountainous location, it is very difficult to mine and transport. Even if we were able to do so, it would not be commercially successful. Furthermore, within two years the entire woods surrounding Kamaishi will be depleted as a source material for charcoal."
Ito Yajiro, Japanese government inspector, report issued to the Meiji government following the failure of the state-owned Kamaishi Iron Works, 1882
The industrialization of Japan in the nineteenth century most directly led to Japan's adoption of which of the following foreign policies?
1. A policy of isolation that sought to limit foreign cultural, economic, and political influences
2.A policy of mediation that sought to prevent conflict among rival states
3.A policy of promoting regional prosperity through the negotiation of free-trade agreements with Western and Asian states
4.A policy of imperial expansion that sought to take advantage of the political and military weakness of neighboring Asian states
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