Question

why did the meiji government begin building schools in most japanese towns and villages in the late 1800s?
the government wanted to convert japanese citizens to christianity.
military leaders wanted all children to be trained in the martial arts.
the government abolished the japanese class system.
officials knew that modernization required an educated workforce.

Explanation:

During the Meiji - era modernization in Japan, building schools was part of a strategy to create an educated workforce necessary for industrial and overall modern development. There was no major push to convert to Christianity, training in martial arts was not the main reason for building schools, and abolishing the class - system was not directly related to building schools.

Answer:

Officials knew that modernization required an educated workforce.