The political economic and social changes in Japan during the Meiji era propelled Japan into a major imperialist power in the early 20th century. These changes were essentially the westernisation of Japan.

Today Japan is arguably the most technologically advanced nation on earth and is a parliamentary democracy. This has not always been so.

For 250 years (1603-1853) the Tokugawa rule of Japan had banned all contact with the outside world, with foreigners expelled and Christianity outlawed. It was not until 1853 that an attempt by a foreign power at a treaty with Japan actually succeeded. This treaty, between the US and Japan, was basically so America could cut costs and increase profits by utilising Japan's rich coal deposits to refuel the steamships it used for trade with China. This allowed the ships to use less space for coal (fuel) storage, leaving more space for cargo.

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