Fukuzawa Yukichi
Topic: Paths to Modernisation: Japan, China, Korea · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Paths to Modernisation"
Meaning
Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835–1901) was one of the leading thinkers of Meiji Japan. He founded the school that became Keio University. He said Japan must "expel Asia". By this he meant that Japan should drop its "Asian" features and become part of the West. He argued that Japan should take in the West's "spirit of civilisation", not just its machines. He stood at the pro-Western end of the Meiji debate about how to modernise.
Example
His book An Encouragement of Learning came out in the 1870s. It opened with the line "heaven did not create men above men", which made a case for equality and practical learning.
Don't confuse with
- Miyake Setsurei: Fukuzawa wanted Japan to take in Western civilisation. Miyake wanted national pride built on Japan's own values.
Related concepts
- Meiji economic modernisation
- Zaibatsu
- Tanaka Shozo
- Ashio mine pollution
- Meiji Constitution
- Popular Rights Movement