Final answer:
After the abolition of feudalism in Japan, agriculture evolved with increased land ownership among farmers, diversified investments, and enhanced productivity through technology. Historical reassessments by historians like Amino Yoshihiko have revealed the rich maritime economic activities that coexisted with traditional farming, reshaping our understanding of Japan's economy as not solely agrarian.
Step-by-step explanation:
Japan's agriculture underwent significant transformation during and after the Meiji period, notably with the abolition of feudalism. This pivotal change allowed peasant farmers to own their land, sell it, or venture into urban areas to work in burgeoning industries. Investment by ex-samurai in textile production and chemical manufacturing triggered economic diversification away from reliance on government support, strengthening Japan's industrial base while bolstering its food production with fertilizers and farm equipment imports.
Historical reevaluation by the likes of Amino Yoshihiko reveals a more complex picture of Japanese agriculture. Amino uncovers a maritime economy thrived alongside traditional rice cultivation, tapping into the archipelago's coastal resources such as fish, seaweed, and lumber. This challenges the conventional notion of Japan being fundamentally agrarian and isolated, instead highlighting the diversity of livelihoods from manufacturing and commerce, much of which was overseen by the class of commoners known as hyakushÅ.