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Notes -
Is there a simple explanation of why the Japanese changed so much in this regard over such a short time period?
A simple one? No. The shortest explanation I can give is that from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, the Japanese imitated the West, tried to do a speed-run to a modern industrial society, and adopted many Western norms. They admired the West and basically wanted respectability and to be treated as equals. So they tried to do all the right things and be seen as fellow (honorary) Westerners.
The realization that that wasn't going to happen (even after they fought on the side of the Allies in World War I) was one of many things that led to Japan becoming increasingly militarized and xenophobic.
This is a huge simplification, of course - it isn't like Japan didn't already have a history of being very militant, and aggressive with their neighbors. And a lot of other things happened between the Meiji Restoration and the Showa Era. But for a while they were trying to play by the West's rules.
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