The Meiji Restoration, beginning in 1868, was crucial in transforming Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrial state. It marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial power under Emperor Meiji. This period involved extensive reforms aimed at rapid modernization, including the adoption of Western technologies, education systems, and military practices. The aim was to prevent colonial domination by Western powers and to establish Japan as a formidable global player. The Meiji Restoration ultimately fostered Japan’s emergence as an industrialized nation by the early 20th century, setting the stage for its involvement in global affairs.