- Avoid the same fate → Japan began programme of modernisation in 1868 → called Meiji restoration
- Introduced new Meiji constitution → provided for a limited form of democracy → with emperor still dominant.
- Japans industries → also underwent rapid expansion.
- Modernisation quickly transformed Japan into important power in Asia by early 1900s.
Japan - Fought + won wars against China (1894-1895) and Russia (1904-1905) → with its newly acquired military might
- annexed Korea + controlled areas of Chinese region of Manchuria.
- Developed close alliance → with Britain → whose territories it guarded during WW1.
1920s ⇒ Japan → well respected on international stage. → full member of LON + took part in the process of disarmament after WW1
1921 → Japan signed Washington naval treaty → with Britain, France, and US.
- all promised to reduce building of warships.
→ Japan had to reduce their naval strength more than US and Britain.
- many Japanese → saw this an unfair treaty → fuelled their desire to establish themselves as equals of the West.
→ Japan also signed trade deals → with Britain and US → expanded its trade with the rest of Asia.