Pre-modern documentation systems preparing the modern institutions

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Pre-modern Japanese historical sources had their own original documentation systems. These documents can be investigated through the analysis of village administrators' diaries, called shoya. As a result of such an analysis, it becomes clear that pre-modern Japan maintained an excellent administrative system in its rural and village societies. Pre-modern Japan established a precursory type of modern state administration, preparing the state for later modernization. However, when compared with later administration systems of the nation state, this pre-modern form was distinguished fundamentally by its social setting. Such pre-modern records of deliberate regional information were useful in creating and maintaining a sustainable society, as well as in the fight against crime, epidemics and natural disasters.