Bunmei-kaika () refers to the phenomenon of Westernization in Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912), which led to major changes in institutions and customs. The term is generally used for the period in the early Meiji era when customs and manners changed drastically from the feudal society of the past. Under the influence of scholars such as Fukuzawa Yukichi, it was thought that adopting Western culture would allow Japan to overcome the perceived weaknesses of its traditional culture. Etymology The term was used as a translation of "civilization" in Fukuzawa Yukichi's book . Originally, only was translated as "civilization" in Japan. However, the word is now also widely used to mean "civilization". originally meant "the action of making someone understand reason or principle and guiding them to good direction" in Buddhism. In the Edo period though, the Tokugawa family used the verb () to refer to the development of a nation, so , which shares the kanji , gained a meaning like "development". Both and are . Background of Meiji era The main impetus for the was the Meiji Restoration, a series of huge changes that occurred in Japan in the latter half of the 19 century. From 1639 to 1854, Japan was closed to other countries under a policy called . The Tokugawa shogunate implemented foreign policies such as banning the voyage to Christian countries, banning the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese into Japan, and cutting relations with Southeast Asia. Japan was effectively isolated from other countries. In 1854, Commodore Perry visited Uraga to ask for the opening of the country to the world, which resulted in the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the United States and Japan. This ended the policy of . As a result, people in Japan became more aware of the need to protect their country, and the idea of was born. At the same time, the idea of overthrowing the Shogunate spread. Many people demanded Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the Shogun at the time, to return all powers to the Emperor. In an event called the (), the Tokugawa Shogunate agreed to give up its powers. After this, a new government was officially established. In 1868, Tokugawa forces and the new Meiji government's forces, composed of the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, fought in the Boshin War. The Meiji forces defeated the Tokugawa forces, and the new government took power in Japan. The government moved the