The Separate Paths of
Japan and China
nJapan and China, despite both being part of the same civilization orbit, responded very differently to Western pressures.
nBoth nations had chosen isolation from outside influences from about 1600 to the mid 19th century, and thus fell behind the West.
nChina had the capability to react to the challenge, but did not act.
nJapan, with knowledge of the benefits of imitation, acted differently.
•Japan’s limited population growth, in contrast to Chinese population growth, also assisted its response.
•In political affairs China, by the mid-19th century, was suffering a dynastic crisis;
•Japan maintained political and economic vigor.
•In the late 19th century the east Asian world split apart and Japan became the stronger of the two nations.