Why was japan able to establish itself as an imperial and military power, unlike other Asian countries?

Japan, like the British, had the advantage of being on a series of islands at the extreme end of a continent. Their geographic situation allowed them proximity to the mainland, with a huge natural moat to discourage unwelcome visitors.





Consider the way the Japanese remember the invasion fleet of Kublai Khan and the kamikaze that destroyed it, compared to the British respect for Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, who destroyed the Spanish Armada. Both nations have naval traditions for a reason.





Because the Japanese were spared invasion from the mainland their culture and economy had time to develop, and recovered more rapidly from the consequences of waging war. Japan was able to establish itself as a power because of the Sea of Japan.

Why was japan able to establish itself as an imperial and military power, unlike other Asian countries?
they were on germany's side and they were eccenomically stronger.
Reply:Because there were samurai.This is not a joke.





They quickly reconstructed Japan after some civil wars and totally changed the social system.They even abolished the hieralchy system which put themselves on the top of it.Japan was not industrialized before reopen herself but people were well educated and the society was stable.





Some former samurai went to western countries for a few years right after the Meiji Restration.They estimated it would take 40 years to catch up with western powers.It was around 1870 and before 40 years passed Japan beat russia.





Samurai was worrior class so they tried to make Japan militarily stronger. Their slogan was wakon-yousai ie."Japanese spirit and Western technology"
Reply:Japan is a imperial country. They are one of the earliest country in Asia who made the good military weapons. And they had fight with China to be more powerful.
Reply:Prior to the mid 19th century, Japan was an extremely insular country. The Japanese ruling elite consciously decided to abandon its centuries old tradition of isolationism and to transform itself into a modern industrial society. It embarked on a rapid program of modernization and quickly established relationships with most other European and American industrial powers.





Japanese society was somewhat easier to control than other Asian societies. They had a long standing tradition of Japanese nationalism and a very homogeneous population. Their modernization program succeeded exceptionally well and Japan quickly transformed itself into a modern industrial country.





Japan's new found technical and economic prowess vaulted it well past most of its less developed Asian neighbors. Smaller countries like Korea were easily overwhelmed. Even China, a much larger country, could not compete with an aggressive modern industrial power like Japan.