In the case of Judo it wasn't "Meiji Japan" which made the decision.

Judo was founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. It was small to start; The original Kodokan at this time was only 12 mats.

Kano had studied Jujutsu since his youth, but had found a lot of the techniques had stagnated and become impractical during the Edo period, where war wasn't as common as it had been previously and people had more time to spend on the more esoteric areas of activity. Initially Kano struggled to find teachers, as many now believed Jujutsu to be outdated and impractical and to have no place in a Westernising Japan following the fall of the old Tokugawa Shogunate.

Kano wanted Jujutus to emphasis Minimum effort, maximum effect and the mutual benefit of all involved.

Kano was upset that Jujutsu was filled with techniques which were either impractical or too dangerous to practice and therefor test. A large part of his overhaul was to remove or forbid these techniques so that students could practice to proficiency without injury.

In kendo cases,

First, the government had banned the carrying of katanas by issuing a decree banning the wearing of swords(廃刀令 in 1876).

Meiji government tried to do away with the group "savage and uncivilized" customs of the slogan of modernization.

The wind has changed is large influence of Toshiyoshi Kawaji(川路利良) is the first police commissioner of Japan.

He claimed that Kenjutsu from experience in the Satsuma Rebellion(西南戦争) is still necessary in the war.

He himself chopped the Satsuma soldiers of more than 10 soldiers in the war (a blade spilled katana that he used possible to see in the Police Museum...BTW).

The bill to incorporate the "kendo" that sport into school education was passed by Congress is that of 1907.

This means that the Meiji government almost does not matter...same case and Judo.