History - A major goal of the Meiji Restoration was to focus on

A major goal of the Meiji Restoration was to focus on 

A. isolating Japan from the influence of foreign ideas. 

B. existing peacefully with their Asian neighbors. 

C. increasing the emperor’s power by returning Japan to a feudal political system. 

D. modernizing Japan’s economy to compete with Western nations. 

E. encouraging European powers to open up trading rights in China.

Answer:

D. modernizing Japan’s economy to compete with Western nations. 

During the Meiji Restoration beginning in 1867, Japan’s leaders focused on modernizing Japan’s economy in order to compete with Western nations. Japan reversed its policy of isolation, ended feudalism, and began to modernize by borrowing from the Western powers. The goal of the Meiji leader, or enlightened ruler, was to make Japan a strong military and industrial power. Japanese leaders sent students abroad to Western countries to learn about their form of government, economies, technology, and customs. The government also brought foreign experts to Japan to improve industry. The Japanese adopted a constitution based on the model of Prussia with the emperor as the head. The new government was not intended to bring democracy, but to unite Japan and make it equal to Western powers. The Meiji Restoration did not isolate Japan from the influence of foreign ideas. The Japanese leaders borrowed Western ideas and adapted them to fit the needs of Japanese society. The Japanese introduced Western business methods but encouraged cooperation rather than competition among companies. Japan’s modernization contributed to its rise as an imperial country. In 1895, the Japanese attacked and defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War. In 1904–1905, Japan clashed with Russia and defeated the Russians. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea.