Western Influence on Japan

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The new Meiji Period was the starting point for Japan’s isolation from foreign countries. During the end of Edo period, Matthew C. Perry came to Japan and established the Nichi-Bei Washin Joyaku, the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Friendship, allowing Japan to be fully open to the United States of America. Soon after, foreign officials from other countries came to Japan to make similar friendship treaties, changing Japan to be one of the global nations. From the treaty, Foreigners started to build homes and live in one of the ports opened to them, creating cultural influence on the people who had never seen foreigners. Through the opening of Japan during the Meiji Period, Westerners were able to enter and create a positive influence on Japan.

With emerging Western culture, Japanese foods expanded to accommodate the use of meat to fit the preference of Japanese. New industrial technology from America and Europe provided the base of Japan’s technology, leading to today’s modern and developed country with the continuous improvement. With major changes in Japanese diet and technology from emerging Western culture, Japan gained social and economic benefits, allowing the country to be the great powerhouse it is today.

During the Meiji restoration, selected members of Japanese were dispatched to the United States and Europe to learn about Western laws and cultures. Western cuisine was one of the practices they achieved throughout the tour. During the visit, what astonished the Japanese was a significant height difference compared to American and European. Japanese were typically small because the traditional Japanese food culture based on fish didn’t provide enough nutrients like meat essential for healthier physical growth. Aft...

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Onishi, Norimitsu. "Spaghetti Stir-fry and Hambagoo: Japan Looks West." Nytimes.com.

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Weinstein, Andrew. "Japan's Auto Industry ." About JAMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .

Yamasa. "Things Japanese - "A History of Japanese Cuisine"" Yamasa.org. The Yamasa Institute. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. .

Yasuo, Wakuda. "Improvement of Urban Railways." (1997): n. page. Web. 13 May. 2012. .

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