・An underlined word or phrase in bold-faced type is linked to the Glossary of the Russo-Japanese War.
Japanese Navy and Army had separate wage systems, respectively.
| ≪Basic monthly wage as of 1904 (37th year of Meiji)≫
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Army
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Navy
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General
Colonel
Second lieutenant
Sergeant major
Private (recruit)
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250.0
103.0
15.0
9.9
1.2
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Admiral
Captain
Ensign
Master Chief Petty Officer
Seaman (recruit)
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500.0
208.0
37.0
25.2
2.1
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The reference is made to the materials of the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records as the "Original script signed by the Emperor in 1903: Imperial ordinance No.186 to revise Army Wage Ordinance" (Reference code: A03020573900) for the wage system of the army and the "Original script signed by the Emperor in 1904: Imperial ordinance No.6 to establish Navy personnel wage ordinance and to abolish 22 regulations besides the naval soldiers pay ordinance" (Reference code: A03020589300) for the wage system of the navy.
As for Army, the figures in the table are calculated by dividing the annual wage amount by 12 for army officers (The second lieutenant’s wage is considered to be applied to the Class Ko), and are the monthly wage amounts for both enlisted and private of army. As for Navy, the figures in the table are calculated by dividing the annual wage amount by 12 for navy officers (The navy captain’s wage is considered to be applied to the Class No.1), and are the daily wage amounts multiplied by 30 for both enlisted and private of navy (The master chief petty officer’s wage is considered to be applied to the Class Ko No.1. The seaman’one is considered to be applied to the Class Ko).
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Examples of monthly wage and commodities
at the time of Russo-Japanese War
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Monthly wage of Taiwan Governor-General in 1896 (29th year of Meiji).
Starting salary of policeman in 1906 (39th year of Meiji).
Standard price of 10kg of rice in 1902 (35th year of Meiji).
Price of ordinary curried rice in 1902 (35th year of Meiji).
Price of a large bottle of beer in 1901 (34th year of Meiji).
Price of postcards (set of 3 postcards of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 (37th year of Meiji).
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500.00
12.00
1.19
0.05〜0.07
0.19
0.06
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As for wages and commodity prices above, the reference is made to "Chronological table of prices: Meiji, Taisho and Showa" (Asahi Newspaper, 1988) compiled by Asahi Newspaper as well as materials of the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records which are "Enacting organization of civil administration bureau; of local services; of customs house; of development office; of directly controlled schools; of postal and telegraphic office of lighthouse office; of meteorological observatory office; of pharmacy; staff rank salary and staff bonus payment rule; policemen and prison guards salary payment rules and payment of salary for part-time employees and full-time employees, engineers and assistant engineers, and establishing Order on special appointment of civil servants in the Taiwan Government-General. (Reference code: A01200843600)", "The script signed by the Emperor, 1906, Imperial Ordinance No.259, the Wage and Payment Ordinance of Policemen" (Reference code: A03020686100), and "Presenting picture postcards issued in commemoration of 1904 campaign." (Reference code: C03026073100).
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Monthly salary in Self Defense Forces (as of 2003 (15th year of Heisei))
Quotation from "Law revising part of the law concerning salary of employees of Self Defense Forces"
(Cabinet Order #146/2003 (October 16, 15-year of Heisei))
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Lieutenant General (land, air) / Vice Admiral (maritime) (case of 1st-class salary)
Colonel (land, air) / Captain (maritime) (case of 1st-class salary)
Second Lieutenant (land, air) / Ensign (maritime) (case of 1st-class salary)
Master Sergeant (land, air) / Petty Officer (maritime) (case of 1st-class salary)
Recruit (army 3rd-class, air 3rd-class) / Seaman Recruit (maritime)
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573,000
374,000
237,200
222,100
152,300
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Army servicemen dispatched are paid 20% to 50% increased salary on top of the base salary and "overnight liberty allowance", "technical allowance" and so forth. In the case of Navy, there were detailed regulations on additional allowances such as allowance for excellent artillery operator (+0.2 yen/day maximum), allowance for engine-room cleaning on battleship, coal loading work, rescue activity of shipwreck (+0.25 yen/day maximum).
In addition, there were the allowance regulations on death in action, being captured by the enemy, etc. A serviceman completing the term of service was paid "retirement allowances" when died or retired, but one who intentionally got injured or captured as POW was treated with "suspension of allowances".
In this connection, the Center for Asian Historical Records stores the following materials.
Please click the following image to see materials relating to the Russo-Japanese War and the wages of officers and servicemen.
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