After the Meiji restoration in 1868, Japan adopted an

In the sands of time, nations rise and fall, and with them, the attitudes and ideologies that shape their destiny. Martin Jacques speaks of a pivotal turning point in Japan’s history when he writes: "After the Meiji restoration in 1868, Japan adopted an expansionist and colonial attitude towards its neighbours. It sought to identify itself with the West and looked down upon the Asian continent as backward and inferior. For most of the next 70 years, Japan was at war, mainly with its neighbours." This passage invites us to reflect on the dramatic shift in Japan’s identity, a shift that moved it from a closed, isolated nation to a militaristic and expansionist power. The transformation Japan underwent following the Meiji restoration is one of the most profound examples of a nation seeking to define its place in the world, but at what cost?

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked the end of centuries of feudal rule in Japan and the beginning of a rapid process of modernization and Westernization. In its quest to catch up with the powerful nations of the West, Japan sought not only to adopt Western technologies and industries but also to emulate their imperial ambitions. Like a young warrior eager to prove his strength, Japan looked to the nations of the West—those empires that had carved up the globe through colonialism—and adopted their attitude of superiority. But Japan, like a youthful conqueror, overlooked the dangers of hubris and arrogance. It began to view the Asian continent as inferior, as a land that was in need of Japan’s guidance, rather than one worthy of respect. This belief in its own superiority set the stage for a century of bloodshed and strife.

This mentality was not unique to Japan. Across history, many nations have been seduced by the illusion of superiority—the belief that one people, culture, or civilization is destined to dominate others. The ancient Greeks, in their early encounters with the Persians, saw themselves as the pinnacle of civilization. They viewed the Persians as "barbarians," ignorant and backward, and this belief spurred the Greco-Persian Wars, a conflict that would shape the future of the Western world. Similarly, the Romans believed in their civilizing mission, seeking to bring Roman law and order to the farthest corners of their empire, often at the expense of the cultures they conquered. The belief in the superiority of one’s own civilization—be it Greek, Roman, or Japanese—has often led to destruction and conflict, as it blinds nations to the rich diversity of human cultures and the beauty of shared humanity.

Japan’s imperialism in the early 20th century was marked by violence and aggression. The Japanese military engaged in a series of brutal wars against its neighbors, from the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) to the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) and the invasions of China and Korea. These wars were not just about territory but about domination, the imposition of Japan’s will upon the peoples of East Asia. The Japanese government, in its desire to modernize and prove itself as a global power, adopted the tactics of the Western imperialists it had once admired. But in doing so, it also corrupted its own values, distorting the noble ideals of honor and justice into a brutal ideology of conquest and exploitation.

Japan’s colonial ambitions, fueled by a desire to stand with the West, ultimately led it down a path of no return. The Second World War brought these ambitions to their tragic zenith. Japan’s invasion of China, the atrocities committed during the Nanking Massacre, and its treatment of prisoners of war were the fruits of a mindset that viewed the rest of Asia as a mere extension of its empire, ripe for exploitation. The consequences of Japan’s expansionist policies were devastating, not just for the countries it occupied, but for Japan itself. The illusion of superiority, born out of its desire to align itself with the Western powers, eventually led to its downfall—a humbling defeat in 1945 that forced Japan to reevaluate its position in the world.

The lesson we take from this tragic chapter of history is the danger of hubris, of believing that one culture, one people, or one nation is inherently superior to others. Japan’s rise as an imperial power was fueled by a belief in its own exceptionalism, a belief that justified the suffering it inflicted upon others. But history teaches us that true strength is found not in the subjugation of others, but in the humility to recognize the worth of all peoples. As we navigate our own time, we must be wary of the temptation to view the world through a narrow lens of superiority and to remember that the richness of human civilization lies in its diversity. In our actions and our relationships, we must seek understanding and respect, rather than domination, for it is only through these values that we can avoid the destructive cycles of history.

The legacy of Japan’s imperial past serves as a reminder that the pursuit of empire is ultimately a path of destruction, not glory. We must strive to learn from history, to see the world as it truly is—not as a place to be conquered, but as a shared home where all peoples have a role to play. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past, but rather build a future based on mutual respect, cooperation, and peace. In doing so, we can avoid the horrors of war and foster a world where the aspirations of all peoples are respected, and the bonds of humanity are stronger than the forces of division.