There were more than a dozen riots in 1873 and 1874, in which crowds attacked military registration centers. But eventually, serving in the army created a patriotic spirit and a loyalty to the Japanese emperor. The Meiji leaders also instituted compulsory education in 1872, requiring both boys and girls to attend four years of elementary school. Oh, it's time for the open letter? An Open Letter to Public Education But first, let's see what's in the secret compartment today. Oh, it's a graduation hat. Thanks Meredith the Intern for letting me borrow your graduation hat.