The Meiji leaders, undeterred by opposition, continue to modernize the nation through government- sponsored telegraph cable links to all major Japanese cities and the Asian mainland, and the construction of railroads, shipyards, munitions factories, mines, textile manufacturing facilities, factories, and experimental agriculture stations.

Much concerned about national security, the leaders make significant efforts at military modernization, which includes establishing a small standing army and a large reserve system, and compulsory militia service for all men.

Foreign military systems are studied, foreign advisers brought in, and Japanese cadets sent abroad to European and United States military and naval schools.