Japan's Transition to Modernity

Japan is home to a lot of ancient cultural artifacts and yet serves as an example of the developed world samurais, high-speed trains, home to some of the world’s largest tech companies, and may evision Tokyo as a bustling fast paced city. Japan’s population is declining, this isn’t unusual in a time where developed countries are relying on less children.What is overlooked when describing the now 3rd largest economy on Earth is how it went from surrendering during WWII to becoming an industrial superpower. There have been many changes but one have remained constant, which is the collective drive to work and excel. It has heavily influenced the Japan we know today.

The Meiji Era, also known as the Meiji Restoration, lasted from 1868-1912. It was an era for great change and this was also the period in which Japan became more modern. During this era, Japan witnessed changes politically, socially, and economically as it worked to become more modern. Japan expressed a desire to catch up to and adopt the policies of its Western counterparts. This gradual Westernization led to Japan becoming a more modern state and eventually a global power on par with Britain and the United States. However, these changes and the stable transition from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Restoration would not have been possible without Emperor Meiji and other government leaders.

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

The foundation of Japanese imperialism, which eventually led to World War II was in the Meiji Restoration of the 1870’s. At that time, pro-war sentiment and desire for national strength and growth arose as the national attitude of the Japanese people. Certain groups, which advocated return to the traditional Japanese ways, began to grow in power. Shinto, the traditional religion of Japan, was revived with a new emphasis on emperor worship. By the time Emperor Hirohito assumed power in 1926, the nation was ready for a second restoration.1

In 1868, provincial rebels overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan and the new leaders called the regime the “Meiji Restoration.” This was just the beginning for soon-to-be modernized Japan. A stronger military, new ideas, technology, and laws would be all used to transform Japan into a modern industrial nation. Because of these, modernization had a great effects on Japan’s society and the nation as a whole from 1850 to 1950. One effect modernization had was strengthening international presence and relations for Japan as a whole. This helped to keep them active on global terms and impacted them in a positive manner. Another effect modernization resulted in was the transformation of the internal society of Japan. The changes in the society all provided great benefits for Japan.

This was a feudal government that had ruled Japan since the 1600s in the city of Edo (today’s Tokyo). Japan was split into more that 200

Firstly, Japan’s political structure was transformed to really large extent during the Meiji era as it brought about changes such as in the manner of governing the people, parliament structure as well as the reform in policies that the Japanese were forced to sign with the Western powers such as the United States of America and Great Britain. During the Tokugawa period the Emperor Meiji limited the power of the samurai removing exclusive rights such as their right to punish commoners and he also removed their right to be the only armed force in Japan, in favour of westernized military with several different armed sections. In addition, the Emperor sent scholars to Britain, France and Germany to study their parliament as well as study the way these Western nations operated. Eventually the Emperor appointed Ito Hirobumi to select an adequate constitution for the new empire of Japan.

The turn of the century for Japan came as a smooth transition from the enclosed cultural setup to the widespread adoption of the external influence of the other world. Up to the time of century turn, Japan had concentrated on having a clear control on the infiltration of the masses by new ideas and acts of handing over revenue and wealth creation to the control and eyes of the government. Sanshiro is the literature that points us to the exact scenario that existed in Japan at that time. The author introduces us to the prevalent conditions that incubated the gradual alteration of the traditional setup upheld for long by the Japanese. It is therefore to note that the existence of a varied strata of the population led to the initial

Japan underwent a historical event that eliminated their old constitution and originated a new one. During the Mejia restoration Japanese feudalism was overthrown, and Japan was introduced to Western political principles (Terrill, 2016). The Mejia restoration led to a transformation of an economic system, and from that Japan adapted their first

Japan’s history has been mostly accounted as a history of a homogeneous national entity in the post-war historiography. Yet as Andre Schmid and Jordan Sand contest, this notion is replete with problems. Not only does this interpretation gloss over the historical fact of Japan as an imperialist and colonialist power, but it also dismisses the dynamic embedded in history that shaped the trajectory of Japan from an empire to a nation-state as seen today. This paper will briefly discuss the question of Japan’s “national” history and argues for a reconsideration of Japan’s historical position within the history of empires by drawing this week’s readings.

When leaders in Japan effectuated rapid change in the political system other aspects of society, especially the social system, were changed as well. The feudal system was eliminated, dismantling the firm class structures that had been controlling Japanese citizens for centuries. Individuals were able to improve their status, change occupations and move around the country as they desired. A key part of providing opportunity to the citizens was education.

Progress in east Asia has seen many phases and inspirations but as in any sort of progress of one group, there is exploitation of another. Japan, specifically, began as a very isolated and nationalistic country but gradually opened up to western trade and developed as a country through international interactions. Japan progressed as a country through trading and conflict between themselves and outside countries from North America, Europe and other parts of East Asia.

Once Japan was able to start modernizing, the new leaders that were in power had a priority to start to change the politics. To change the politics they first

Japan’s victory over Russia made itself not only the most fearful colonial power in Asia, but also a world power that was respected by the Western world.

First of all, Mrs. Candidate it is my honor to advice you for this years’ presidential campaign. In order to succeed in this campaign, it is important that you get familiar with Japan and also how their local and international politics are structured. Before we start, let me please briefly introduce you the structure of the Japanese government.