Socio-economic activities of former feudal lords in Meiji Japan

In the early stage of Japanese industrialisation after 1886, the former feudal lords, known as daimyo, played an important role as pioneers in equity investments in modern industries with their huge assets. In addition, when their ex-retainers attempted to establish modern enterprises, the daimyo often invested in their businesses. Moreover, the daimyo often provided opportunities for well-educating young people in their former fiefs. After explaining the daimyo in the Meiji period, this article first elucidates how the daimyo promoted equity investments in modern industries. Second, this study analyses the socio-economic activities of one of the main daimyo, Tsugaru Tsuguakira in the Tsugaru region, as a particular example.