明治維新Meiji Restoration

The Meiji Restoration (明治維新, Meiji Ishin; also translated as the Meiji Reformation]), referred to at the time as the Honorable Restoration (御維新／御一新, Goi(s)shin), was a political event that restored the Emperor of Japan's executive power in Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji and led to the Westernisation of Japan. Although there were ruling emperors before the Meiji Restoration, the events restored practical power to, and consolidated the political system under, the Emperor of Japan. The Restoration led to enormous changes in Japan's political and social structure and spanned both the late Edo period (often called the Bakumatsu) and the beginning of the Meiji era, during which time Japan rapidly industrialised and adopted Western ideas, production methods and technology.

The origins of the Restoration lay in economic and political difficulties faced by the Tokugawa shogunate. These problems were compounded by the encroachment of foreign powers in the region, which challenged the Tokugawa policy of sakoku; specifically, the arrival of the Perry Expedition under orders from United States president Millard Fillmore. Under subsequent unequal treaties, Japan was forced to open to the West, bringing the shōgun's ability to maintain Japanese sovereignty into question.

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