The Meiji Restoration, which began in 1868, initiated significant reforms that transformed Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrialized nation. The government implemented policies to centralize power, abolish the feudal system, and strengthen the military. The "catch-up" strategy included adopting Western technologies, education systems, and industrial practices, leading to rapid economic growth. Infrastructure improvements, such as railways and telegraph lines, connected the nation and facilitated modernization. The new constitution established a parliamentary government. These reforms positioned Japan as a competitive global power, ultimately influencing the country's imperial ambitions and its role in international politics in the 20th century.