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What were the key military reforms in Japan during the Meiji Restoration,…
What were the key military reforms in Japan during the Meiji Restoration, and how did Western powers influence them?
Context
The Phaeton Incident: On August 15, 1808, the British warship Phaeton entered Nagasaki Harbor without prior permission. The British were interested in inspecting the Dutch ships to look for contraband and to assert their maritime interests in the region. The crew of the Phaeton acted in an unwarranted and high-handed way. Japan was, however, unable to repel the attack.
(At that time, Japan had a strict policy of isolation (sakoku), allowing only limited foreign trade, primarily with the Dutch. The British presence was an infringement on this policy.)
The incident shocked most of Japan, who had been unrealistically enjoying illusory peace: For many years, Japan had maintained a stable and peaceful environment, largely due to its strict isolationist policies (sakoku). This gave the Japanese a false sense of security, believing they were shielded from the geopolitical rivalries and conflicts faced by other nations.
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