We are now able to distinguish the main groups which were to rule the
modern Japanese Empire. Within the quarter century from 1853 to 1877 a
new leadership had emerged.
True to Japan’s history and tradition, control was concentrated in
a few hands. The ruling group was composed of the clan leaders,
dominating the government bureaucracy (since grown to nearly 500,000
office holders); the old feudal lords with great landed estates; and
the business group--bankers, traders and industrialists.