Meiji Restoration Destroyed Traditional Japanese Values

Meiji Restoration Destroyed Traditional Japanese Values
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Meiji Restoration Destroyed Traditional Japanese Values
Anchored on strong policies and values since time immemorial, Japan remained intact and robust in her societal ideologies until the onset of foreigners who started flocking the country seeking after trade ties and diplomatic relationships. Perhaps this was the onset imperial Japan leaders abandoning their moral societal values. More so, by being governed by a well structured and organized system of bakufu administration, the young reformers staged a peaceful revolution in order to gain dominance over the world.
In doing so, the young reformers, who arguably encompassed real power, tried new methods, information technology, techniques and modern ways so as to gain equality just like other nations. But were they justified by taking this direction or they were eroding societal values? This essay will critique Meiji restorations move; as initially propounded by Edwin Reischauer.
According to Reischauer, occident technologic as well as speedy scientific revolution made Japan to turn away from its well founded technologies. He argues that, in order to keep abreast with the changing technological advances, Japan had to open doors to foreigners who had come along with new technological advances. Additionally, the scientific revolution which at the time had taken a center stage had significant influence on Japan’s dynamic shift into a modernized nation. It can henceforth, be affirmed that in changing into a contemporary nation, Japan lost grip in holding the traditional values that held her people.
Additionally, the pressure by outside states had a significant impact in enabling Japan change into a modernized state. In the nineteenth century, industrial revolution had made various nations economically stronger with an upsurge of military base. When they were expanded from Japan, the Europeans had previously forgotten the distant Japan Island. However, their steady expansion due to industrial revolution made the countries to consider Japan’s shores again.
For instance, America, Britain and Russia had to persuade Japan to open its ports and shores for foreign ships. When the Togukawa rulers rejected, America’s President sent a letter demanding the inception of trade relations, hence Japan to oblige. This external pressure by the outside countries were instrumental in forcing the Togukawa young reformers, who albeit accepted foreign invasion after the Shogun government sought the emperors decision.. Perhaps this was an important catapult of eroding traditional Japanese values and norms.
Also, the sudden demise of the original policies of isolation that guided the country send the county into a chunk of confusion. The change in the rates of gold and silver, for the first time in history of Japan led to reduction in gold resource in Japan. Add...