The significance of Japan’s Meiji Restoration, initiated in 1868, lies in its transformative impact on the nation from a feudal society into a modern industrial power. The restoration ended centuries of imperial governance, promoting a centralized government that adopted Western technologies and institutional reforms. Key changes included the establishment of a constitution, modernization of the military, and development of a railway system, which propelled economic growth. The Meiji Restoration allowed Japan to engage competitively on the global stage, leading to increased nationalism and expansionism, as seen in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars. This era marked Japan's emergence as a significant world power.