Japan’s national identity has shifted and transformed greatly in the last two hundred years. One of the greatest shifts in national identity occurred shortly after Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan. After being forced into an unfair trade partnership with the West, Japan was thrust into a new world that was technologically superior to them. Fifteen years later, the Meiji era began, which morphed the Japanese national identity into a “restorative” movement. The pressure of potential colonization created newfound patriotism throughout the country, and led to the development of a new constitution, a state religion, and other nation-building activities.
Japan’s transformation into a conquest-driven nation during the Great Depression was also very interesting to me. While the rest off the world was frantically attempting to hold onto the remnants of its economies, Japan responded with “an increasingly frantic quest for control over the markets and resources of Asia” (Dower, pg. 21). This transition was dramatic, as Japan went from a valuable ally to an imperialistic, dangerous nation very rapidly. As Japan conquered more asian territories, the peoples’ pride and support of their country sweltered; the Japanese felt powerful and superior compared to the rest of the world. Japanese imperialism resulted in complicated race relations between the Japanese and other asian groups that still holds some relevance in modern day society.
Japan’s national identity during the Meiji era boasts some similarity to present day America. Like Japan, the United States is fighting to maintain its American values while also utilizing the resources of other countries. Trump’s push to “Make America Great Again” is similar to the Meiji slogan “Rich country, strong army” in the way that both countries strive to reinforce their own power and status. Additionally, the Meiji slogan of “Japanese Spirit, Western Technology” seems similar to Trump’s America— Trump calls for American spirit to “Make America Great Again” while continuing to rely on other countries for resources and goods. These factors show some similarities between the two time periods of the countries.