Japan Provincial Domain

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.

Although Japan changed in many ways from 1853 to 1941, there were also many factors that remained the same throughout the history of Japan. One such continuity was the maintained existence of a figurehead ruler controlled by other political authorities. The feudalistic emperor of Japan was the supposed “highest, most powerful authority” in the land, but was actually controlled by the military leaders- the shogun. Similarly, the militaristic emperor of Japan decades later continued to remain a figurehead ruler controlled by military and government officials. In addition, Japan continued to remain reliant on exports in order to maintain its economy. As a result of Japan’s small geographical size, the island nation had few natural resources and was forced to rely on exports to survive economically. The nation also grew increasingly reliant on other nations to provide materials and supplies that it could not provide for itself. This complete reliance on other nations was seen illustrated when the Japanese military was provoked to attacking another superpower- the United States, in response to the 1940 United States embargo

Technologically, Japan was also ahead of America at the outset of the war. This, partially, is due to experience and having been

Additionally Government buildings including the Iolani Palace were turned into military offices. Then Military courts replaced the civil courts and military law was the law of the land for both civilians and military recruits. The Hawaiian Islands were essentially turned into one large military base. Also all the Japanese owned businesses were shut down.

What happened to Japan at the end of WWll? Well, The US was working on a secret project called Project Manhattan, this project provided a weapon of mass destruction which would lead us to, The Cold War. The weapon was called an Atomic bomb. This bomb had the power to level a whole city. US flew to Hiroshima,Japan with the atomic bomb, nicknamed “Little boy.” On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. “About 140,000 people were killed or died within months when the American B-29 “Enola Gay” bombed Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. After the bombing, Japan still wanted war. On Aug. 9, 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki.” (The Learning network) “The New York Times

Throughout history, many major events have occurred and they have changed the world and its countries as we know them today. One of the major events that has happened and is known internationally, is the second World War, a confrontation mainly between Germany, Italy, and Japan in the axis side, and Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union in the allies side, which had many more countries involved. Even though those were the major countries involved at the beginning, one major turning point in war was when the United States was brought into war, which probably changed how the war ended by American intervention. The attack on Pearl Harbor is what mainly triggered the action into being involved at war from the U.S. (Unfinished Nation, p612), and from that point on, the Japanese were treated very different, with discrimination and exclusion for many years (Identification Records, p1), and many concentration camps were created to maintain control over the Japanese outside and inside of the United States (Enemy Aliens, p1).

The Japanese scholars were sent to study abroad and observe the Western sciences and languages to transform the Tokugawa Japanese agrarian economy. The introduction of Western technologies and ideas advanced the Japanese economy. The development of infrastructures such as railroads and telegraphs allowed Japan to develop new industries. Transportation and communication networks were advanced from large governmental investments. The government supported the growing businesses and

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

We froze all of Japan's assets in the US, and we put embargoes on all oil and scrap metal. We also closed the Panama Canal to Japanese shipping. However, as I look back on the situation, I do see that it made it harder for Japan to progress in the war.

First, military plays a huge role in occupying Japan. There isn’t a detailing how America has changed Japan without mentioning the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and consequently, the subsequent American bombing of the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

At the end of World War II, the United States took occupation of Japan in an under the pretext of leading the nation toward a path of democracy. However, it appears that the intent of the United States has changed over time. Instead of helping Japan in the years after WWII, the United States used Japan as a pawn to better its own interests.

The United States of America occupies numerous areas in Japan for its military operations. The United States Army has various units that train and operate out of the Japanese islands. The Japanese islands are also home to the United States’ Navy’s Seventh Fleet, which enables us to maintain naval operations far away from our own borders. Although the United States has a heavy presence in Japan, this was not always the case. Prior to World War II the two nations were not the allies they are today. Japan was on a conquest throughout the Pacific and was successful in the defeat of many countries. Their quest was undeterred until they made the detrimental mistake of attacking the United States on our own soil. From that point in time

Japan, an ally of Germany, also faced destruction during the war after nuclear bombs were dropped on two of their cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Emperor Hirohito and other Japanese government officials subsequently decided to surrender after Russia had declared war and the US began to look more threatening. Once the Emperor announced the country’s surrender, the populace was stunned. Japan had lost their military and was economically unstable. The citizens and many Japanese soldiers found it hard to accept the defeat, but the Emperor felt it was best for the country. Fortunately, from the 50’s to the 70’s Japan made a comeback and went from poor to rich. They began manufacturing goods and advancing their technology, and today they are known

     Upon Japan’s admitted defeat, the U.S. invaded and took occupation of the country for seven years. Though assumed to be a distressing circumstance and expected total domination, it was a benefit to Japan, for the United States to take control of them, rather than being a disadvantage. The occupation helped the recovery and development of Japan’s economy and also clarified understanding between the two countries.

Japanese industry and infrastructure, which were virtually destroyed during World War II, were systematically rebuilt to transform the country into a global economic leader by the mid-1960s. Post-World War II, the seven-year U.S. occupation of Japan proved to be a blessing in disguise as the Japanese received $2 billion in aid from the U.S. in the form of food, fertilizers, petroleum products and industrial materials.