During the past decade, there has been a growing interest in social policy – making and welfare studies in post – socialist China. Compared to many advanced democracies, the role of Chinese leaders in the social policy – making and welfare politics is extraordinarily influential. This issue has not been adequately studied yet. Employing a […]

Following the experiences of one merchant, a farmer from Kōshū province (present-day Yamanashi prefecture) who left his village to open a trading venture in Yokohama in 1859, the presentation will examine the merchant communities of Yokohama during roughly the first decade of its existence, 1859-1873.