Why Japan Was NEVER Colonized

Step into the world of samurai and shoguns as we unravel the incredible tale of how Japan outsmarted Western powers and rose to become a global powerhouse. Get ready for a thrilling ride through history filled with cunning tactics, epic battles, and a dash of luck!

#JapanIndependence #Sakoku #MeijiRestoration #WesternImperialism #ResilientJapan #AvoidingColonization #history #japanhistory #samurai #shogun #imperialism #colonization #resistance #geopolitics #militarystrategy #globalpower #modernization #culturalheritage #resilience #diplomacy #war #battles #transformation #worldhistory #japantravel #japanculture

▬▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Portuguese Traders
00:52 Tokugawa Yasu's Strategy
01:31 Sakoku: Japan's Period of Isolation
02:07 The Forced Opening of Japan
02:30 Japan's Transformation
04:06 Conclusion

"Discover the incredible story of how Japan managed to avoid colonization in the era of Western imperialism. From the arrival of Portuguese traders in 1543 to the rise of Tokugawa Yasu and the self-imposed isolation of sakoku, Japan strategically navigated its way through foreign threats and internal struggles. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked a turning point, as Japan rapidly transformed into a modernized and powerful nation while fiercely protecting its cultural identity. Through shrewd diplomacy and impressive military victories, Japan proved its independence and solidified its status as a major player on the world stage. Join us as we delve into the complexities and nuances of Japan's history, and uncover the lessons it offers for us today. This fascinating story is a testament to the power of resilience, strategy, and a bit of luck. Don't miss out on this captivating journey through Japan's past."

Image source: Wikipedia, PICRYL

[HistoryofWhys]

NOTE: Everyone seems to comment that Japan was colonized by the US and no one seems to provide actual proof. But let me clarify that there is a difference between occupation and colonization. Occupation is temporary, while colonization is permanent or long-term. Occupation is a temporary regime that preserves the original status of the occupied territory. Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers from 1945 to 1952, with the United States leading the occupation under General Douglas MacArthur. They were never colonized. Thanks!!

[ReinigenDieWelt]

Crazy how everything I wanted to learn in history is all on your channel. Rome, Japan, Sparta, France, and The Aztecs

[mauriciotapia]

I’ve studied Japan’s history for many years, hosted Japanese students for 15 years and been to Japan. I don’t think it’s a colony, I believe they became a partner/ally of the USA after WW2. They embraced capitalism and just see how Japan expanded his influence and trade with the world. If Japan were a US colony, they wouldn’t own so many car manufacturing facilities in the USA and other countries. North/South America + other continents are full of Japanese cars in their streets. Japanese electronics and technology conquered the world’s markets. What a remarkable people are the Japanese. Yes, they lost WW2, but like a Fenix were reborn from their ashes to become even stronger…

[nyantaro-momo]

After World War II, it became a complete colony of the United States. The degree of this has become considerably tighter over the past 30 years. The ``Japan-U.S. Joint Committee'' is above the Japanese Prime Minister. In other words, that organization is the organization that really moves Japan (Japan's deep state). The Prime Minister just follows it. Once or twice a month, we carry out directives issued by the United States in Japan. Japanese people are angry though. As you can see, money and systems are operating under the orders of the Biden administration in the United States. Every prime minister who tried to go against this and seek independence was crushed by the United States. Including Prime Minister Abe.
For example, in the case of samurai, military commanders had ``pages, '' with whom they also had sexual relationships. The more powerful a military commander was, the more pages he had, which was a sign of his status. Women are not taken to the battlefield. So the page was the person. There have been gay stars and idols for over 50 years. If you go to Shinjuku, there's a whole area with only gay shops. This too has been around for half a century. Everyone is popular. Japanese people are angry and wonder why Japan has the prime minister say, ``Japan has even more discrimination'' when it comes to the issue of discrimination in the United States. The values are fundamentally different from those in America.

[TAKRAMAKAN]

There will be no model answer. However, this proposition 【Why Japan Was NEVER Colonized】will continue to be asked over and over again by those who study world history.

[jonathanmunozespinoza]

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the only Westerners with real possibilities of invading Japan were the Spanish, but never a conquest. Even without being in the hemorrhage that the constant wars in Flanders represented for the Spanish empire, the success of a Spanish conquest in Japan was null. Only with an alliance with Ming China would the Spanish have achieved the temporary occupation of the Ryukyu Islands, however, the status of the Ryukyu kingdom as a vassal of Ming China would have been a cause of tension between the Chinese and the Spanish, in addition, the response of the shogunate would be devastating. On the other hand, Japan would respond to a Sino-Hispanic alliance by seeking its own alliance with Spain's enemies, the Dutch. If we consider the disastrous results they had in their incursions into Southeast Asia via the Philippines, the result of an invasion of Japan would end in defeat for the Spanish and their possible allies. As additional information, the only military incident in which Spanish forces truly confronted Japanese forces occurred on the coast of Siam and was a harsh Spanish defeat against the Japanese.

[mitchplays]

The timing. The western arrive when Japan is already United under the shogunate. If they arrive in the shengoku jidai era, when daimyo fighting each other they could divide and conquer

[benjaminfuller]

I liked your video great content , but maybe slow down a little i felt like u rushed through certain parts

[taniaeloomian]

In your opinion, what kind of advise would a Japanese nation give to Africa, or Latin America in order to prevent colonisation?

[verushistorie]

Every European colonization, differed at the margins, or rather bluntly, was very different to another. Take for example, Spanish colonial rule vs, British colonial rule and its policies on rights, taxations, arms etc. Spanish colonial policy, broadly speaking, forbade arming civilians per say. The British colonies of America were allowed to arm per say. British colonization of India, was not only violent but also subtle on diplomatic terms. As was the French, yet they prefered more control. The list goes on.

In the case of Japan, if the question is asked on why, the key issue would be the timing.

Mid-1500s, Japan was in turmoil. Western influence was at its height. With entire domains swifting to Christianity. While others chose Dutch weapons in trade for gold. It can be said, perhaps, that there was more Japanese christians in Japan prior to the unification by the Toyotomi clan than there were christians in 1945 Japan. Yet fundamentally, upon the creation of a powerful central force, dictating laws as well as a myriad of other social constructs through military & diplomatic power, christian/western influence abated.

1600s-1700s, Japan enacted a policy of isolationism that prevented Christian/western influence. Christianity was banned. Missionary action that would usually prevail prior to and after western colonization could not occur in Japan, on pain of death. Any Japanese who left the country never could return upon pain of death, with a few marginal historical exceptions. Japan at this point in time contributed 30% of world silver production in the 1600s, and half that in the 1700s. Perhaps colonization could have occured due to this wealth, yet at the time the silver mines of the Americas contributed alot more, wealth in the eyes of the Spanish was probably not a key issue.

It should also be noted that Japan, during the end of the Sengoku period had mastered the arts of firearm production, such that they were able to create hundreds of thousands of light arms. Of note, a third of the army of the invasion of Korea were matchlock users. One should also consider, that decades, and centuries of peace does lead to one thing; population.

In the 1700s, Japan was ranked as the 5th largest in terms of population, at 27 million. Obviously one can say the British colonization of India with a larger population, would give an indication of the possibility of colonizing Japan. Yet, again, fundamdentally the British did not colonize India in a year or a decade, but a much longer time span. India was divided religiously, politically, as well as economically in the geographical framework. Meanwhile Japan was, unified per say.

1800s: The term Sakoku was said to be first coined in the early 1800s in Japan. Whether there was a similar term within political lexicon of the Tokugawa Shogunate at its inception or throughout its history up until this point, it not really known. Yet it should be known the Japanese did not necessarily just close their doors to the outside world. The island of Dejima, as well as the psuedo-political economic control of the Ryukyu isles by the Shimazu domain, under the behest of the Edo shogunate, as well as the isle of Tsushima acted as both gate keepers as well as stewards of diplomacy and trade. I mean, the Japanese knew about Mathew Perry before he even landed on the shores of Japan, due to Dutch information, they even proposed a treaty with Japan before hand.

At this time, Japan had a population of 33 million, and a literacy rate of 40% (80% in urban areas), with a fiat currency in numerous domains, a rice futures market, banking and other financial services and structures, and a armed population perhaps numbering in the lower 3 million. As, by this point, 10% of the population were Samurai. Japan, however, was not unified under a central government per say. The Tokugawa shogunate did not collect taxes from the entirety of the country (just in its holdings and domains, amounting to 40% or so), nor did it command the loyalty of a centralized military force. It perhaps is a great irony that it would be domains that had lost against the Tokugawa clan in the early 1600s, that rose and overthrew them.

Yes, I use the term overthrow. Historically, the Meiji restoration was termed as a restoration of imperial rule in the guise of ensuring domestic stability as well as showcasing to the West, a unified, sovereign nation-state that could not be interfered with, thus, colonized. Prior to the restoration, any who contacted Japan, diplomatically, had a nagging issue of who was the sovereign ruler. Whether it was the Tycoon (Shogun) in the eyes of the Korea and Qing, or either the Shogun or Emperor, no one really knew. In fact, we Japanese didn't know either.

It is amusing to note, that Bismark actually had plans to colonize Northern Hokkaido (according to the German archives), if it supported to the remnants political and military forces of the Northern alliance (those left to fight against the Imperial Japanese forces, upon the capitulation of the Tokugawa shogunate). This, however, did not occur. The British had at this time, decided upon an multi-lateral diplomatic action, with the cooperation of all European powers, of not interfering in the civil war/Japanese revolution. Aside from the invasion of Hokkaido by the Imperial forces, in this instance the British supplied the ships, arms and munitions to quell the so-called rebels and not opposing government.

Japan really was only ever unified under a central government in 1868. Upon which, it swiftly enacted colonization policies of its own in rapid succession. 1872, terra nullius of Ainu Mosir (Hokkaido). 1879, annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The preceding decades would see colonial policies on education, industry, assimiliation, economic-political and social control within these lands, be incorporated in Korea, Manchuria, China, etc. Mind, the colonization policies of Native extermination, assimiliation and subjugation was, in part taken largely from the West.

Sorry for the long comment. Most of the information above, comes from my recollection of the my readings while studying at Waseda University. Namely, from the textbook 'A Modern history of Japan' by Andrew Gordon.

[asahel]

The Tokugawa Shogunate who came to power dont like western influence too much.

besides Japan dont have what China and India has, Japan is more a good paying customer

India has Spices its like the oil of that times

China has Spices, Silk, Tea and porcelains etc.

one thing you should know about venture capitalist they always find a way so they can have the large share of the profit. lets say in a universe where Japan is one of the country that only produces spices, European wont stop and always find a way to destabilize the country, such as use the neigboring country's army to conquer Japan and theres always someone to bribe, Hell even simpliest one steal some seeds plant it somewhere with vast land away from europe.

with someone with follow up question: why europeans just plant it in europe? then you dont know a Market works, spices are quite rare and so the prices are high, you control the supply you control the prices. if europeans started planting it then the europeans will be flooded with it and so the prices will decrease.

if you still dont get it Imagine the place you live has no cows and youve eaten a 150 bucks worth of steak weighing a pound and you want more and they told you its a rare meat can only be found far far away, theyre exploiting your ignorance . for your money

one more example remeber those 500mb SD cards in the mid 2000s worth same as 250g now, what if I tell its likely they can make 250 gig sd card in the years 2000s, because they want you to spend money more

[DeepSingh-zw]

Japan was colonised after WW2. It is an American colony / satrapy today.

[sasivasebas]

Well they were tho, they are a colony since ww2...