Final answer:
China and Japan both recognized the necessity of Western technology and military might to avoid Western subjugation. Japan successfully modernized and became imperialistic, while China struggled and declined due to European influence and internal strife.
Step-by-step explanation:
Despite their differing approaches to modernization and imperialism, China and Japan both arrived at the understanding that Western technology and military might were pivotal for securing their place in a world increasingly dominated by imperial powers. Japan quickly embraced these innovations and reformed its government, yielding rapid industrialization and the creation of a formidable military. Consequently, Japan began to extend its empire across Asia, mirroring the expansionist policies of Western nations. China, on the other hand, resisted such changes and suffered from European incursions, resulting in the loss of territory and influence.
However, both nations eventually grasped the idea that to avoid subjugation by Western powers, they needed to engage in the same global game of imperialism and seek out resources, markets, and territories. This recognition did not lead to a unified approach but to a regionally competitive one, where Japan, with its increased military power and industrial capabilities, began to assert dominance over China and neighboring territories.
While Japan built itself a powerful empire that rivaled Western nations in a short period, China faced internal turmoil and external pressures that weakened its state and societal structure, eventually leading to the end of the Qing Dynasty and a period of political fragmentation.