Conscription and its exemption in 19th Century Japan: Incentivized family head in educational market

TL;DR

This study examines how 19th-century Japanese conscription policies influenced family head participation in education, revealing increased attendance but no improvement in academic quality, based on historical panel data analysis.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the impact of conscription exemptions on educational attendance and performance in 19th-century Japan.

Findings

Family head student rate surged between 1884-1888

Attendance increased without improving academic quality

Exemption policies affected family head participation patterns

Abstract

Immediately after the establishment of the New Meiji Government in the 19th century, a system of conscription was adopted. The exemption rule has changed several times. Using individual-level panel data on the academic performance of Keio Gijuku, I found a surge in the family head's student rate between 1884 and 1888, and the rate declined immediately thereafter. After regaining privileges for private school students, family head performance declined, and the difference between head and non-family heads disappeared. This made it evident that conscription increased educational attendance quantitatively, but did not qualitatively improve academic performance.