On Leaving Asia Essay

Analytical Essay 1

Why did Japan’s reforms succeed while the Qing and Joseon’s reforms failed? This paper argues that Japan’s successful reforms were due to their adoption of Western ideas and values, and the abandonment of traditional practices and governance, while the Qing and Joseon dynasties failed in their reforms because of their inability to adapt to the modern world and embrace change, their education system, and their cruelty. To make my argument, I will do a close analysis of “On Leaving Asia” by Fukuzawa Yukichi, a primary source that highlights the author’s endorsement of Japan’s modernization and rejection of traditional Asian values in favor of Western ideas and civilization.

Fukuzawa compares the spread of Western civilization

He states, “If we were to discard our old conventions, that government also had to be abolished.” This quote speaks to the idea that in order for Japan to fully embrace Western civilization and implement reforms, they had to abandon their traditional way of thinking and governance. It highlights the sense of connection that cultural, and government systems play in shaping a country's ability to adapt to new challenges. Japan seemed willing to abandon its traditional ways of thinking, enabling it to create better systems for the modern world. It was Japan’s willingness to abandon traditional ways of thinking that allowed them to cast aside its old conventions and succeed in creating a new path towards progress and modernization, setting it apart from other Asian countries that failed to

Fukuzawa articulates this observation by stating, “Not only were we able to cast aside Japan’s old conventions, but we also succeeded in creating new axle toward progress in Asia.” This observation shows that Japan was successful in not only discarding its old ways of thinking but in creating a new path toward progress and modernization. Japan’s ability to implement reforms by embracing change set it apart from the Qing and Joseon dynasties. Fukuzaw’s quote, “Their love affairs with ancient ways and old customs remain as strong as they were centuries ago,” offers a contrasting point of view to his earlier observation. These quotes showcase the difference in attitudes towards progress and modernization between Japan and the Qing and Joseon