Negative Effects Of Japanese Imperialism

During the 19th and 20th century, Imperialism was adopted by many countries around the world for its modernization. Japan, for one, is a very interesting case, in which that it was able to survive under the European Imperialistic rule, but actually adopted their own form of Imperialism and was successful with it. However, because of it, many countries suffered, but benefitted Japan greatly, enabling them to emerge into the international market and an Asian superpower. By weighing the positives and negatives of the process of Imperialism in Japan as an example, we can conclude whether Imperialism had a positive or negative effect.
In Japan, Imperialism had many negative aspects, especially on the people because the process was very expensive,

They were first recognized as “an economic, political, and military competitor in Asia” when they defeated Russia in 1904-1905. Strayer states that “[s]ome Poles, Finns, and Jews viewed the Russian defeat as an opening for their own liberation from the Russian Empire.” Their liberation generated respect for the Japanese from an international standpoint. The Egyptian nationalist Mustafa Kamil also spoke for many when he declared: “We are amazed by Japan because it is the first Eastern government to utilize Western civilization to resist the shield of European Imperialism in Asia.” Japan also has a strong economy, as “[they] became a major exporter of textiles and was able to produce its own munitions and industrial goods as well.” Furthermore, geographically, Japan is also noticeably smaller than its significant larger adjacent country, China. As a result, that might be one reason why Japan was less desirable to the European colonizers. This desire caused two advantages for Japan: firstly, it was most likely easier for the Japanese government to control to a smaller piece of land than what the Chinese government could do with their larger country. Secondly, Japan might’ve taken this opportunity to view the Chinese being colonized and learned from afar, making sure not to

Due to taxing and harsh labor conditions, Western Imperialism was perceived negatively by the people Japan colonized and some of its natives. On the other hand, Japan used Western Imperialism as an opportunity to show the world its Eastern strengths, emerging in the global market. In conclusion, the overwhelming positive effects that Japan managed to create by adopting their own Imperialism suggests that Imperialism is generally a positive process of