Final answer:
Japan differed from China in its approach to the West by actively borrowing from and adapting Western technology and government structures, leading to rapid modernization and the ability to compete globally, which contrasted with China's more resistant stance.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1800s, Japan differed from China in its approach to the West in that Japan borrowed and adapted Western ways. Unlike China, which often found itself divided into spheres of influence controlled by European powers, Japan proactively sought to modernize by embracing Western technology and government structures. The Meiji Restoration marked a transformative period during which Japan rapidly industrialized, revamped its military, and even began to build its own empire in the region, mirroring Western imperialist practices.
The Japanese understood the power and wealth that could be garnered through industrialization, which allowed them to compete militarily and economically on the world stage. This foresight differed sharply from China's more resistant stance toward Western influence, which contributed to its weakened position in global affairs at the time