6. The Role Played Universities In Scientific Technological Development In Japan

Abstract

First to modernize among the non-Western countries, Japan undertook the unprecedented task of establishing Western-style universities on an entirely different historical background and of promoting in them scientific research. In the Heian period, a system of training imperial officials created in imitation of a Chinese example, included the fields of mathematics, astronomy and medicine. The Meiji government, with the political changes of 1881, adopted a German form of nationalism rather than democracy, and prepared for the coming establishment of the constitution. The history of Japan as a modern country is influenced by the Russo-Japanese War, the Sino-Japanese War and the First World War, which took place within intervals of ten years. The establishment of Kyoto Imperial University was expressly intended to oppose the monopolistic position of the Imperial University in Tokyo. Thus, a hierarchy is often apt to be established among the university researchers.Keywords: Heian period; Kyoto Imperial University; Meiji government; Russo-Japanese War; Sino-Japanese War