Encouraged by policies put forth by the Meiji government to promote industrial growth and modernization, there was a shift from family-operated handicraft industries to the use of industrial machinery installed in plants.
Efforts were particularly concentrated on developing the textile industry, given that at the time Japan mainly exported raw silk and imported cotton yarn and fabric.
The textile industry flourished in Yokkaichi as well, with the establishment of silk and cotton yarn spinning mills that employed advanced technologies from Europe and the US.