Electric power in Japan: rapid electrification a century ago

This paper provides a brief historical review of the rapid revolutionary technological progress in power systems in Japan during the later part of the 1800s. A century ago, many Japanese engineers visited the United States and Europe to survey power systems and power equipment in pursuit of the most advanced systems of light and power. With expert foreign assistance, it was possible to build just such an advanced power system. Japan also imported necessary products from major manufacturing companies in the West and also made great strides in developing and manufacturing them. For instance, a 100-MW hydroelectric turbine and generator developed in Japan in 1939 had, at that time, the largest capacity in the world.