Medium Post #2

Read “The Way of Subjects” alongside “Goodbye Asia” from week 3. What has remained consistent in the justifications that each piece makes for imperialism, and what has transformed over the course of 55 years? What do you think accounts for the main changes?

Something that has remained consistent in the justifications for imperialism is a sense of superiority and nationalism. In “Goodbye Asia,” Fukuzawa Yukichi underlines the dichotomy of a reluctant China and Korea being unable to adopt Western ideologies, and Japan’s openness to Western civilization allowing them to flourish and prosper. In “The Way of Subjects,” there is a similar sense of Japanese nationalism, but instead of touting Japan’s progressive nature and ability to advance politically and economically by casting aside traditional conventions, the emphasis was on Japan’s superiority even over the Western nations. There was a much more negative outlook on the influence of Western civilization, as it highlighted the danger of the West and justified imperialism as a way to prevent excessive Western hegemony. I believe that the main reason for these changes are the fact that over the years, especially with the arrival of World Wars, there was a lot more nationalism throughout the country as well as fear or disdain towards foreign nations. Before, there was the idea that Japan had to discard its past identity in order to accept and progress with modern civilization, as well as propel itself past other Eastern nations. However, as time went on, it seems like people realized that they did not need outside influence in order to progress as a country, but rather, they should emphasize their own strengths and see Western civilization as dangers or weaknesses.