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You have to define imperialism very narrowly to claim that. Perry's (overt) threat resulted in unequal treaties being forced on Japan. Japan's current Constitut
by user982 4y ago
You have to define imperialism very narrowly to claim that. Perry's (overt) threat resulted in unequal treaties being forced on Japan. Japan's current Constitution was similarly written by Americans and forced on it during the post-WWII military occupation. Any nation that permanently hosts uncontrolled foreign troops and bases on its homeland is, at the very best, a client state.
- DenisM 4y agoPerhaps we should make a distinction between colonial imperialism and modern imperialism. The latter mostly concerns itself with trade treaties, however lopsided, whereas the former also involved a lot more meddling in the culture, the power structure, and the internal structure of the economy.
- aikinai 4y agoUS bases in Japan have the opposite impact of colonialism. If it weren’t for the bases, Japan would have to pay for their own defense, using up finances and resources that can be allocated to growth and wealth in the current system. The current arrangement isn’t imposing on or extracting anything from Japan, just protecting it, mostly for free. Not that I’m saying this is unfair to America either; it’s mutually beneficial for both nations, which is why everyone has kept this happy arrangement for so long.