The Meiji Restoration:
The Meiji Restoration, also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution or Renewal, was a chain of events that brought back imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. The goals of the restored government were expressed by the new emperor in the Charter Oath. The Restoration led to numerous changes in Japan's political and social structure, and spanned both the late Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period. The period spanned from 1868 to 1912 and was responsible for the emergence of Japan as a modernized nation in the early twentieth century.
Reasons:
There were many reasons that sparked the Meiji Restoration. The Japanese knew that they were falling behind the rest of the world when American Commodore Matthew C. Perry came to Japan to try to issue a treaty that would open up Japanese ports to trade. Perry came to Japan in large warships with types of technology that far outclassed those of Japan at the time. The leaders of the Meiji Restoration acted in the name of restoring imperial rule in order to strengthen Japan against the threat represented by the colonial powers of the day.
Meiji:
The word "Meiji" means "enlightened rule" and the goal was to combine "western advances" with the traditional, "eastern" values. Many leaders in Japan went around to "promote civilization and enlightenment" through western ideas yet many wanted to keep their traditional imperial rule where the Emperor serves only as the spiritual authority of the nation and his ministers govern the nation in his name.
The word "Meiji" means "enlightened rule" and the goal was to combine "western advances" with the traditional, "eastern" values. Many leaders in Japan went around to "promote civilization and enlightenment" through western ideas yet many wanted to keep their traditional imperial rule where the Emperor serves only as the spiritual authority of the nation and his ministers govern the nation in his name.