Continuity And Change In The Japanese Period

From 1853 to 1941, Japan changed from being a reclusive, isolated nation that kept to itself to an imperialistic power openly attacking and conquering surrounding territories and peoples.

Often in America, the public is educated about the victories of the nation, such as in World War II (WWII); however, they are unaware of the after effects it imposed onto other parties (enemy nations). Specifically, Japanese people lost their defenses, and the lifestyles of the citizens were significantly modified. Moreover, Japan was part of the Axis powers during the war and gained worldwide attention when the island attacked Pearl Harbor, a United States Naval base. This event caused the Americans to join the battle and eventually overwhelm the Japanese and forcing a surrender in 1945. Post WWII, Japan’s failure in the war was responsible for a cultural change in the country that is still present in modern day, which led to reform in family dynamics, mentality adjustments, and perceptional alteration of women. Also, whether young or old, all were exposed to this change, and those that lived in family styled households together, were the first to experience their relationships shift.

Japan studied Western political, military, technological, economic, and social reforms. In doing so, they were able to modernize Japan. The first time Japan demonstrated their transformation into the modernized military power was when they defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War over rights in Manchuria and

The Meiji Restoration, refers to the events that led to the “restoration” of power to Emperor Meiji Tenno. The previous political and military leader of Japan had been the Tokugawa shogunate, but due to the intrusion of the western powers, particularly the Americans, under the command of Commodore Perry, the Shogun was forced to return power to the Emperor. This restoration of power led to many changes in Japanese society such as the social structure, the education system and the Japanese economy that has contributed to Japan becoming a modern world power.

The mid-to-late 1800s was a time of intensive change for many on the Asian continent. It was a time for innovation and modernization in which some embraced, while others fought to halt progress and maintain tradition. Japan was the most positively affected by westernization as a country, and they utilized it in ways to benefit their country and still maintain their independence and identity.

During the post classical period, 650 C.E to 1450 C.E, Japanese leaders were confronted with several issues that threatened political order in Japan. The problems that arose during that time included a lack of respect for Buddhism, for example, monks were not taking their vows seriously. Another problem included the division between classes in the social structure, one instance was when the lady-in-waiting in the temple showed disdain for the peasants in a lower class than her. Ultimately, one last problem was the lack of overall respect for the government. Samurais were not being properly trained and the Daimyo were fighting among themselves simply for power. The issues that presented themselves during this time period can be solved in many ways. Buddhism, a unified religion, reestablishing Confucian values and relationships, and properly training the Samurai are just

Sergeant Louis zamperini from WWll stated ¨Where there´s still life there's still hope¨ he stuck with it will spending three years in a Japanese prison camp. Louie and mine okubo were both held against their will by japan and the U.S.A in complete different condition and under different circumstances. In spite of the Japanese and American governments to make POWS and Japanese-American internees feel invisible, they use these acts of dehumanization and isolation to regain their self-worth and dignity.

The people of Japan knew that the time for change had come, and in 1868 a group of samurai overthrew the Shogunate. This eventually led to the rise of the Meiji Restoration in 1889. The western countries were much more advanced compared to Japan during the industrial revolution and if they were to become a global power, Japan would need to advance as well. The Meiji Restoration was brought up upon western ideology, which led to new advanced technology along with rapid social and economic growth and the formation of a national military. The Meiji restoration had occurred in the 19th century because Japan needed a change in order to advance during the industrial revolution. The restoration was the change, that eventually led Japan to become an international force. For decades the high tariffs of the unequal treaties affected my pay and my life. Though this new restoration has brought more jobs and better pay for us

Japan’s goal of achieving fukoku kyohei, “rich country; strong military”, fuelled major political, economic and social changes during the Meiji Restoration. By the 20th century, Japan had a modern constitution and national parliament, though it was not truly democratic. The modernization of the nation also made Japan richer and more economically stable, with a structured education system. Japan, an impotent, closed feudal state, was transformed into a formidable nation focused on nationalism.

For much of its history Japan was a “closed country” and only opened up to very few people, those being the Dutch and on occasion their Chinese neighbors (Hayes 2012a). It was not until 1853 that Japan would have its first visitors, the United States (Hayes 2012b). Commodore Matthew Perry would force open Japan’s ports and have them agree to “unfair treaties” (Hayes 2012c). This led to the overthrow of the last shogunate’s rule in 1868 and the eventual emergence of Japan’s imperial empire. In 1868, the Meiji Restoration was well under way. During this time period the Japanese were looking to western powers for industrializing and reorganizing the way their government and even society operates (Hayes 2012d). Japan took it upon itself to emulate the western powers in order to discover its role in the international sphere (Hayes 2012e). As the country expanded and western influence grew Japan looked to expand their empire and saw Korea. Until the 1880s Japan began to assert policy against Korea, this led to conflict with China until 1895 in the Sino Japanese War (Hayes 2012f). The defeat of the Chinese resulted in the annexation of Korea to the Japanese as well as Taiwan and Liaodong Peninsula (Hayes 2012g). This also left a target on the Chinese’s back for many years. Japan now had control over a vast majority of East Asia by the time World War I came around. In order to compete

The Meiji Restoration allowed Japan to modernise and adopt the ideas, technologies, and social, political

Between the years 1867 and 1912 in Japan, the Emperor Meiji was in command of the Japanese empire. Meiji was a revolutionary emperor that succeeded on the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate (the last Japanese feudal military government). Meiji’s command dramatically transformed Japan from being a feudal country into one of the greatest powers of the modern world. He changed Japan by popularizing modernization, westernization and improving the education system of the country. Nationalism provided the new young innovative and contemporary conservative generation of japan motivation to grow in the areas concerned; and implemented ideals that encouraged the notions of the west (westernization), that being industrialism and a new educational system, bringing them into the modern day. This new outlook

For much of the 8th century,Nara was the imperial capital of Japan.However in 794 emperor Kammu then moved the capital to Heian-Kyo.This event started the Heian period which is also called Japan’s Golden age.”Heian-kyo’s became the first truly Japanese city.”Kammu built this city and called it Heian-kyo because Heian-kyo means the capital of peace and tranquility.Ranks were very important during Japan’s Golden Age.According each rank brought its specific privileges and rules.In addition birth into a high-ranking family mattered more than qualities or skills.The ranks were divided into classes including senior,junior,upper,and lower.To summarize this Japan’s Golden Age is also called the Heian period and that ranks were very important.In Japan’s

The Meiji Restoration had a great impact in Japan, which hasn’t always been the modernized country it is today. The Meiji Restoration, in 1853, was the start of Japan’s modernization. The Meiji Restoration was when American Commodore Perry forced Japan to trade with the outside world. At the time, Japan was far behind the rest of the world in military, government, and machines. Once they began trading, they turned from a feudal society into a constitutional one and acquired many new resources and factories started being built. Their military power increased, and they got a stronger government as well. The Meiji restoration helped Japan become modernized and caught up with the rest of the world.

     The Japanese culture has allowed for very little diversity. This started very early in their history. The social controls used to eliminate diversity are the family, the power of gender, the poor treatment of minority groups, the corporate Japanese mentality, and the respect required by people in authority. However, due to globalization and the shrinking of the world, Japanese society is starting to make the change to diversity. The individualistic mentality shared by the new technology driven younger generation is putting pressure on the old Japanese status quo. The transformation is happening very slow, but as the population ages and the old conservatives are being replaced by the new liberals, the old way