The first reform was the promulgation of the Oath Charter in 1868, a general statement with the purpose that the Meiji oligarchy would get the necessary push to gain the confidence and financial support of the Meiji Japanese Government. The five statutes consisted of:
1. Establishment of deliberative assemblies.
2. Integration of all classes in the task of bringing the state forward.
3. Replacement of "harmful customs" with "natural laws".
4. International search for knowledge.
5. Strengthening the foundations of imperial rule.
On his return, one of the first actions of the government was to establish new ranks for the nobility. Five hundred people of the old nobility of the court, among whom were the daimyo and samurai who rendered valuable services to the emperor were organized into five ranks: prince, marquis, count, viscount, and baron.
Considering that the economic structure and production of the country was very similar to the English Elizabethan Era, becoming a world power in such a short time is a remarkable progress. There were at least two reasons for the great speed with which Japan modernized itself: employing more than 3,000 foreign experts (called O-yatoi gaikokujin or 'foreigners hired') specialized in fields such as English teaching, science, engineering, militia and navigation; and the sending of Japanese students abroad, especially Europe and America, based on the fifth and final article of the 1868 Oath Charter: "Knowledge will be sought throughout the world to consolidate the foundations of the imperial rule." This process of Modernization was heavily subsidized and closely monitored by the Meiji government, enhancing the power of the big Zaibatsu firms such as the Mitsui and Mitsubishi.
