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Article: In Asia's mirror: from Commodore Perry to the IMF.
- Article from:
- The National Interest
- Article date:
- June 22, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 The National Interest, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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From Commodore Perry to the IMF
ASIA has been laid low before. It has, in its moments of crisis, been forced to open up to the West before. These openings have been attended by an interesting kaleidoscope of moods, their usual pattern neatly captured in the life of just one man, both hero and antihero of the most dramatic Asian opening of all. His name is Takamori Saigo.
Saigo's story starts in mid-nineteenth century Japan: a Japan that is still a feudal state, divided by caste, virtually devoid of industry. After two and a half centuries of shunning contact with the outside world, Japan's proud isolation is breaking down. Americans and Europeans are pushing ...