Japans Own

Why was Japan able to become a superpower in 40 years during the Meji era?

Historians today still find Japan's transition from agricultural feudalistic society to a superpower in the world in such a short period of time amazing.In no more than 40 years Japan became as modernized as Europan powers and was the only nonwhite super power in the world.How did the Japanese obtain this in such a short time?

Public Comments

1. something to do with them trading with the west again i think??
2. this answer is very simple. 3000 gaikokujin (foreign experts) and many japanese studying overseas (or spying and writing everything down) then the factories appeared and japan copied the same form of industrialization like england USA or other superpowers. of course another key factor is the japanese culture of education, dedication to work and strive for perfection. here some additional info to the Meiji Economy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_period#Economy