What was the role played by the domestic coal-mining industry in Japan's modernization? Until the decade from 1887 to 1896 - the middle part of the Meiji Era (1868-1912), Japan's coal-mining industry acted as a major agent in acquiring the foreign capital necessary to obtain advanced technology. At that time, Japan was a large exporter of coal and ruled the coal markets of East Asia. Then, upon entering the 20th century, coal provided an essential energy source for Japan's industrialization, which began with the commissioning of the government-run Yawata Steel Works (the present Yawata Works of Nippon Steel).It is no exaggeration to say that if Japan had been devoid of coal, it could not have carried out its industrialization so quickly.
NSTL
