The Japanese Meiji Mid Nationalist

Nationalism, which once played an important role in Japan's modern history, is one of the mainstreams of ideological trends in Meiji20years. It's the ideology born in the transitional period ofJapan, from a country seeking for independence to an empire busily engaged in military invasionsto other countries. Equally important, it's the turn point of Japan's modern history: from a totallywesternized nation towards a localized, nationalized nation. Therefore, studying the cause,development, and characteristics of Nationalism in each period will surely help us a lot inunderstanding Japan, and its modern history.This paper analyzed the once prevailing ideology, Nationalism, in both details and the wholepicture, with an objective and impartial attitude. The thesis is consist of three parts. Theintroduction gave the purpose of the study, literature review, and core concepts which will be citedin the article.The body text is composed of4parts. Chapter one reviews the reason ofNationalism's born, the progress of Seikyosya's forming, together with the fundamental thoughtsof Nationalism. Chapter two analyzes the ideas and proposals of culture, politics, economy andinternational relationship of Nationalism during the beginning days of Seikyosya, revealing thestanding point of Nationalism. In chapter three, I studies the development of Nationalism, pointingout that, marked by the founding of Minor-Asia magazine, its activities is turning from criticizesof inner-political issue to the judgement of a broader Asian issue. This, obviously, shows greatambitions of Japan. Chapter4gives the ending story of Nationalism. After the Sino-Japanese War,in an over confident atmosphere of the whole country, Nationalism is definitely going to end.After the analyzation above, this paper summarizes the characteristics of Nationalism as follow:first of all, it is not simply a cultural theory, but a principle and practical guideline of the wholesociety. What is shown in it is the thinking about the country's future during Meiji era. Japan'syoung intellectuals were finding a different way, a way that can serve as an supplement of thegovernment's modernization road, for this nation.Secondly, Nationalists were an oppositionalpolitical power. Those Nationalists' purpose, however, is not to screen and filter what is called"quintessence" as they say to "reserve quintessence", but to emphasize on nation character, whichis more spiritual. Not only oppose the completely westernizing policy, they also combat theautocracy of the Meiji government. Emphasizing on democracy, economic development andexpanding military power on the basis of a wealthy country, their words and actions were bothmarked by strong political color.Third, Nationalists advocate the expanding of nation power, beingtough on foreign affairs. On one hand, they oppose yield to western countries, on the other hand,they actively agitate the invasion to other Asian countries. Generally speaking, Nationalism is onekind of expression of Japan's nationalism in modern history. On the domestic issues, Nationalismalways stands on the opposition of the Meiji government, expressing sort of wildness andrebelling spirit. However, on the issues relating to foreign affairs and the invasion to other Asiancountries, Nationalism is on the same side with the Meiji government. Nationalism, with itspositive effect and rationality in existence, suffers from the dross of degeneration.