Final answer:
The Meiji Restoration changed Japan's economic life primarily through the introduction of modern industries, transforming the country into an industrial power.
Step-by-step explanation:
One significant way in which the Meiji Restoration changed economic life in Japan was the introduction of modern industries. Influenced by the technological advancements and organizational methods of industrialized Western nations, Japan rapidly modernized its economy by investing in communication, transportation, and manufacturing. The government initially supported these developments before transferring industries to private hands, which fostered the growth of significant monopolies known as zaibatsu. These changes laid the foundation for Japan's transformation into an industrial power.