y‚QzThe new Hokkaido government, in addition to regular administrative functions, created a long-term development plan for the island. To promote settlement and cultivation, it was first necessary to survey lands suitable for agriculture and dairy farming, and to make accurate maps. Considering topographical features, soil conditions, and the like, the government sectioned the land, modeling its designs on Western farm villages. A minimum farming area of 5 hectares per household was determined. Areas for future urban development were likewise mapped out. In this way, the characteristic villages, towns and cities of Hokkaido were brought into existence systematically. As the development of farm villages proceeded, the number of immigrants increased rapidly, and the cultivated areas of Hokkaido soon extended from the Ishikari Plain to the northern and eastern parts of the island. When immigrants arrived at their designated settlement sites, most had few household or personal possessions, and had to immediately construct their initial basic dwellings. Soon they would experience their first northern winter. With perseverance, however, they adapted their equipment, their agricultural techniques, and their customs to the Hokkaido environment, and established new lives for themselves at their settlements.

y‚SzFrom the 1890's, construction of roads, railroads, harbors and communication facilities was actively pursued. In the 1920's, major roads and railway trunk lines were completed. For these projects, however, prisoners and bond laborers, referred to as "tako," were forced to engage in severe, heavy labor. As these projects pushed further toward the inland areas, the Ainu people were officially urged to engage in agriculture. Their poverty worsened, and their traditional culture continued to fade.

y‚TzIn 1889, the Imperial Constitution of Japan was promulgated and the Imperial Diet was convened. In Hokkaido, however, voting rights and local autonomy were not given to the people on the basis that Hokkaido was still a new settlement area. In Sapporo, Hakodate and Otaru, populations increased rapidly, and the citizens in those cities began movements to secure their political rights. It took ten years for them to be successful, and the Hokkaido Assembly was instituted in 1901. Under these social circumstances, local journalism, too, developed actively with the publication of newspapers in various cities.