The Meiji Restoration was a pivotal period in Japanese history that began in 1868, marking the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of power to the emperor. This movement aimed to modernize Japan and strengthen it against Western imperialism. The new government, led by Emperor Meiji, implemented significant political, social, and economic reforms. During the Meiji era, Japan adopted Western technologies and practices, transforming its military, education, and industry. The government encouraged industrialization, leading to rapid economic growth and the establishment of a modern nation-state. This period laid the foundation for Japan's emergence as a global power by the early 20th century.