Japanese Imperialism Analysis

Great Essays
A critical analysis of Japanese history reveals that Japan was never a subject of imperialist control. Japan adopted a unique strategy of imperialism as a way of preventing any foreign invasion. The Japanese people were determined to resist any form of domination by western powers. For this reason, Japan adopted imperialism and focused on expansion, an aspect that was common among the European countries. Unlike other Asian countries, Japan pursued imperialism and registered significant outcomes. Different scholars have been interested in understanding Japanese imperialism and its unique characteristics, and they have explored important questions surrounding Japanese imperialism. These questions include the reasons that prompted Japan to embrace …show more content…
Japan was able to achieve significant outcomes by embracing colonialism. For this reason, it is apparent that Japan adopted a system that was peculiar to its circumstances. The case of Japanese imperialism was significantly different from the cases of European countries and the United States. Japan was a latecomer in the world of imperialism. Japan made a clear decision of exploiting all its opportunities in the establishment of colonialism. Japan's intentions to pursue colonialism became evident after the Tokugawa foreign policy that sought to open up Japan to foreign influence. The policy motivated Japan to embark on a rigorous process of transition into an imperial power. There was a significant measure of technological innovation as well as cultural and intellectual advances that prepared Japan to become an able competitor in the world of …show more content…
At that point, Japan wanted to prove a point that it was not going to allow Western powers to control its territories. The Meiji State and Reformers made a powerful statement against the potential influence from the West. For this reason, Japan allowed herself to make some decisions as it ventured deeper into imperialism. The Japanese leaders were aware that an imperial power required a strong military and proper organization for it to survive. Japan went further to control China and Korea before the western countries could establish their influence. Japan did not consider her neighbors as unique contributors to the level of imperialism in Asia. For this reason, Japan adopted an attitude that conformed to the Western ideologies of imperialism. It was apparent that Japan was willing to pursue all the changes required so that she could become a recognized imperial power. Japan increased its funding and support of the imperial army and recruited a large percentage of young people into the Army. In the early twentieth century, Japan focused on achieving some of the initial goals of the Meiji era of establishing control over Korea. Despite its unique circumstances, Japan was able to register remarkable outcomes by pursuing

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Pacific Norms Katzenstein and Okawara are constructivists. Constructivists believe that domestic normative context rather than international factors impact the decisions made by foreign policy ministers. Katzenstein and Okawara believe the normative structure and social context of Japan will prevent Japan from remilitarizing. The collapse of the Soviet Union put Japan’s role on the international stage in question and there was anxiety concerning Japan’s future willingness to use the military for its goals. Realists argued that Japan would use this major restructuring of the international stage as an opportunity to return to a normal state.…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It was their assumption that the United States was actually working to subvert their previous efforts in China. This assumption came from the United States continuing to aid Chiang Kai-Shek both economically and militarily (Iriye 20). Japan lacked the strategic diplomacy necessary for dealing in foreign affairs (Iriye 189). From this stemmed the “suspicion that the United States is as spokesman for the Chungking Regime” (Iriye 36). Because of the mistrust this idea embedded, further discussions were impaired, making the Japanese accredit any unwillingness to agree an intent “to go to war” (Iriye 32).…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Chinese had the capacity to industrialize, but they chose not to because they believed they were still the greatest power in the world. China wanted to stay in its traditional state while Japan overthrew their feudal shogunate so they could create a government more like the Westerners. The Japanese government wanted to “very rapidly Westernize the nation, in terms of technology and in things like clothing and eating habits” so they could persuade the westerners to believe that the Japanese were their “equals” (Itoh…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Japanese Urbanization

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The atrocities that the Japanese afflicted on their neighboring countries went beyond the norm of expansion. Countries, such as the United States, have used imperialism to gain territory and resources from other countries. An example of this would be the territories American still possesses such as Puerto Rico and Guam. However, the United States and other countries have not gone into another country with the sole purpose of annihilation like the Japanese did during World War…

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The wars in Vietnam and Korea, during the Cold War, were both attempts made by the United States to stop/slow the spread of communism in East Asia. During these two wars, the US was unwilling to partake in total warfare, yet was not prepared to lose in battle. Due to this, limited options were available for the US to remain in their position of dominant world power, achieved in their victory during the Second World War. How did the United States position as dominant power in the World coming out of World War Two modify their foreign policy, thus changing their tactics in the Korean and Vietnam wars? The United States achieved modified victory based off of foreign policy, through strategy change and ideological change to remain the dominant…

    • 1074 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Reasons For The Cold War

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages

    For instance, Korea can be seen as an infant, through the right nurturing and teachings they can be shaped and formed into anything a superior power wants them to be. In this case, the USSR wanting to expand their communist ideals on a newly independent nation, causing a rise of communism , as Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill says “a shadow [being] fallen upon.” This is where the USSR saw their opportunity to expand. However the United States also has this similar view as to why they wanted to posses Korea, they felt that since they defeated Japan, almost single-handedly, they felt no obligation to give the USSR any territory. In a way the US is similar to the USSR, in their reasons as to why they want to be involved in Korean politics. Both wanting to share their ideals and “help” this newly independent nation.…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Japan's Role In Ww2

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages

    This was exhibited by the invasion of Manchuria, which helped rebuild Japan’s economy and assert their military dominance. This was the first of many skirmishes that lead to the start of the Second Japanese-Sino War, Japan’s unofficial entrance to World War II. Japan’s reasoning for entering World War II is significant because it displays the extents of what countries will do in order to achieve authority and…

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Legacies of Japanese colonialism for the two Koreas After taking part in the lecture and reading the article of Bruce Cumings, I gained a much better understanding on several aspects of the afterlife of the Japanese colonial era in Korea. One of the key concepts was the role the colonization has played in the success of economical development in both North and South Korea. Both Cumings and Carter J. Eckert argue that the roots of South Korea's capitalist revolution can be traced back this era, though it might go unrecognized. Japan tried to maximize the advantages of the contiguity of having a colony nearly touching its borders and invested in an extensive development of the transportation infrastructure. Railroad and road length per mile was higher than in Vietnam and China at the time, and Korea had the second best rail system in Asia after Japan.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The attack on the Pacific Fleet (Pearl Harbor) was taking care of properly and the reaction from the US was rightful and justified. The lingering question is if the attack that US had on Japan was too far and did not fit the “crime”. Well indeed the answer to this question is that the US reacted properly and by entering WWII just to defeat and destroy Japan and its leaders was nothing but right. Even by defeating Japan, this was not enough to pay back the emotional toll the soldiers and families had to go through. Before the attack was even planned the Japanese government was going to invade Malaya, the Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and others.…

    • 1314 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    intentions towards Japan. Previously helping to push a pacifistic constitution upon Japan, the U.S. now begins to pressure Japan into expanding their military roles. It is during this time in which the Mutual Security Assistance Pact was signed, and the U.S. had taken the role in defending Japan. This treaty however called for the expansion of a Japanese military of some sorts, so that the U.S. wouldn’t have complete responsibility over Japan and so the U.S. would have a greater ally in the region after China was no longer a partner (Arase, 2007). Following this treaty Japan created the Self-Defense Forces, strictly in line with Article Nine of Japan’s constitution the SDF wasn’t allowed any position outside of defense of Japanese territory (Arase,…

    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays