"Sonnō jōi" is a Japanese political slogan that translates to "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians." It emerged during the late Edo period and became a rallying cry for those who opposed foreign influence and sought to restore imperial power in Japan. The movement was fueled by growing discontent with the Tokugawa shogunate and the increasing presence of Western powers. The slogan played a significant role in the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which led to the overthrow of the shogunate and the restoration of the emperor's authority. Supporters of sonnō jōi believed that Japan should modernize while maintaining its cultural identity, ultimately shaping the nation's path toward modernization and imperial expansion.