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Imperialism In Japan

Decent Essays

Kon'nichiwa! I’m Japan! You probably know me for my aesthetic cherry blossoms and splendid anime, but let me tell you, things weren’t always as kawaii as they seemed. For a loooong time, I was isolated from other countries by my own shoguns and daimyos, my militaristic dictators and their warrior landlords respectively. We got along fine at first, but my common people were becoming increasingly unhappy with their little political power and heavy taxes. Then, on a fateful day in July of 1853, I met… the West.

Snazzy suit. Chic hat. Weird pants. It was Commodore Matthew Perry from America, who, with his men, forced us to sign unfair treaties and trade with them, and I obliged. I certainly didn’t like this, but what other choice did I have? They …show more content…

Schools were established all throughout my land, and literacy increased significantly, even for females. However, women, I regret to say, were not valued as much, and, well… *mumbles* not given many rights and considered minors. Gomen'nasai, ladies. *Clear throat* Uh, aside from this, a rising sense of nationalism and identity swept over my people, allowing us to be united and break away from traditions. Yay!

Perhaps these improvements got to my head, but it didn’t matter. I felt like I was on top of the world, and even ready to conquer it… or parts of it. No more dependency. No more foreigners with their awful pants. No more pressure. No more belittling. I, Japan, was going to control of East Asia! BWAHAHAHA!!!

I had my eyes on Korea, but China was in the way. I challenged them in the First Sino-Japanese War and, much to everyone’s surprise, won, obtaining access to trade and control of Taiwan. Let’s just say China didn’t like me after this.

Though I have Akitas and Shiba Inus galore, Korea became my little pet. Unlike my dogs which love me unconditionally, Korea had conflicting feelings, adoring me for building prosperous industries and better infrastructure, but at the same time, resenting me for trying to erase their identity and forcing them to benefit

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