I'm guessing this is around the renaissance era if so here is my answer. Korea kept getting invaded and decided to shut out everyone except the Chinese and a few Japanese. They also imprisoned European traders when they would come to their land. This causes Korea and China to fall during the Renaissance era. Japan saw this and was the first country to welcome the westerners. Japan benefited from the westerners, adapting to firearms, adopting new faith, and were even able to get the printing press. Korea and China influenced Japan to do the opposite and welcome the westerners which implemented growth.