How did the global context of Western colonial domination shape Japanese politics and national identity?

Question:

The Meiji State developed during the era of High Imperialism. How did the global context of Western colonial domination shape Japanese politics and national identity during the Meiji Period.

Answer:

It would appear the Japanese who were empowered at the time looked, again, to the West and began to develop western 'progress', such as a strong military and a central government as opposed to feudalism. They even introduced a decimal-based currency. This could be compared to the Italian Renaissance - the era in Japan was called the 'Meiji Restoration'.