Justification for Japanese Empire Expansion before the Meiji Reform from the Perspective of Historical Development, Social Construction and Geostrategy

Abstract

The first Sino-Japanese War in 1894 has been regarded as the solution to the conflict between the Ching Dynasty and the Japanese Empire. However, the nature of the geopolitical competition between Japan and China has not changed since ancient periods. As this competition resurfaces once again, the rest of the world contemplates the question: ‘Will there be another war’? Explaining and analysing the future via a theoretical approach is difficult. Thus, returning to the historical context is necessary to discover how the Japanese Empire weakened the influence of the traditional ‘tributary system’ and how the Yamato civilisation was established. Understanding how the Japanese Empire learned from Western cultures under the influence of Confucianism, absorbed Western cultural artefacts, completed the industrial revolution and created the Meiji Restoration is important. Furthermore, understanding how the Japanese Empire constructed, developed and justified the expansion of the Empire is likewise essential. By understanding these core issues, we can understand the nature of the conflict between China and Japan and subsequently develop the ability to anticipate future developments between the two countries.

Keywords:   Japanese Empire, Justification Construction, Northeast Asia Geopolitical Competition, Tangization, Westernization