International Relations
During the Meiji period, the new Government of Meiji updated the foreign policy; this was an important step in making Japan a full member of the international community. The traditional East Asia worldview was based not on an international society of
national units but on cultural distinctions and tributary relationships.
Monks, scholars, and artists, rather than professional diplomaticrepresentatives, had generally served as the conveyors of foreign policy. Foreign relations were related more to the sovereign's desires than to the public interest. When the Tokugawa was forcibly breached in 1853–54 by Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the United States Navy, Japan found that location no
longer ensured security. The country was defenseless against military forces and economic exploitation by the Western powers. For Japan to emerge from the feudal period, it had to avoid the colonialfate of other Asian countries by establishing genuine national independence and equality.
Beginning with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan set out to gather wisdom from all over the world and embarked on an determined program of military, social, political, and economic improvements that transformed it within a generation into a modern nation-state and major world power. The Meiji governmentwas aware of Western progress, and "learning missions" were sent overseas to learn as much of it as possible., studying every aspect of modern nations, such as government institutions, courts, prison systems, schools, the import-export business, factories, shipyards, glass plants, mines, and other enterprises. Upon returning, mission members called for domestic reforms that would help Japan catch up with the West.
The revision of unequal treaties, became a top priority. The Meiji leaders also sketched a new vision for a modernized Japan's leadership role in Asia. They realized that this role required that Japan develop its national strength, cultivate nationalism among the population, and carefully craft policies toward potential enemies. No longer could Westerners be seen as "beasts," for example. In time, Japan formed a group of professional representatives.
national units but on cultural distinctions and tributary relationships.
Monks, scholars, and artists, rather than professional diplomaticrepresentatives, had generally served as the conveyors of foreign policy. Foreign relations were related more to the sovereign's desires than to the public interest. When the Tokugawa was forcibly breached in 1853–54 by Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the United States Navy, Japan found that location no
longer ensured security. The country was defenseless against military forces and economic exploitation by the Western powers. For Japan to emerge from the feudal period, it had to avoid the colonialfate of other Asian countries by establishing genuine national independence and equality.
Beginning with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan set out to gather wisdom from all over the world and embarked on an determined program of military, social, political, and economic improvements that transformed it within a generation into a modern nation-state and major world power. The Meiji governmentwas aware of Western progress, and "learning missions" were sent overseas to learn as much of it as possible., studying every aspect of modern nations, such as government institutions, courts, prison systems, schools, the import-export business, factories, shipyards, glass plants, mines, and other enterprises. Upon returning, mission members called for domestic reforms that would help Japan catch up with the West.
The revision of unequal treaties, became a top priority. The Meiji leaders also sketched a new vision for a modernized Japan's leadership role in Asia. They realized that this role required that Japan develop its national strength, cultivate nationalism among the population, and carefully craft policies toward potential enemies. No longer could Westerners be seen as "beasts," for example. In time, Japan formed a group of professional representatives.