Meiji Restoration

The Meiji Restoration was a pivotal period in Japan that began in 1868 when the Tokugawa shogunate, which had ruled for over 250 years, was overthrown. This movement restored political power to the emperor, specifically Emperor Meiji. It marked Japan's transition from a feudal society to a modern state, emphasizing industrialization, modernization of the military, and the adoption of Western technologies and governmental structures. The era significantly transformed Japan, leading to its emergence as a major global power by the early 20th century, while also influencing cultural and social changes within the country.