Reforming domestic space in Japan was a highly political project.
Modern nation states, the ranks of which Japan aspired to join, drew their
strength from the productive and reproductive capacities of their populations, since they relied heavily on industrial labour for their economic
potency and universally drafted conscripts for military power. Therefore,
the Meiji government considered well-functioning, healthy households
instrumental in manufacturing loyal and fit citizens who were to put the
goal of ‘rich country, strong army’ (see chapter Three) into practice