How far do you agree that Japan by the year of 1920 can be regarded as a world power? Explain your answer. 

Since the end of the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate, the Meiji Oligarchs started the Meiji Modernization in order to modernize Japan. This modernization programme had successfully helped Japan to become a rich country. To a large extent, Japan was regarded as a world power by the year of 1920. In this essay, I am going to talk about the process of being a world power of Japan by the mean of political, economic, military and international status. 

Politically, the Taisho political crisis marked that Japan did not had a popular and stable government, meaning that she had not become a world power yet. In the late Meiji period, as the wealthy middle class and the intellectual class were influenced by the ideas of liberty and democracy, they advocated democratic reforms and formed the Universal Suffrage League to promote general election to the cabinet. From 1912, the prime minister opposed the military ministry’s request for an increase in army spending. Afterward, the army minister resigned and the army refused to appoint a successor. Finally the prime minister was forced to resign in December 1912 and a new cabinet was formed. We can see that the government domination was confused and complicated with the struggles. So, Japan had not become a world power with such political situation. 

Economically, Japanwas regarded as a world power because of its rapid industrialization. In 1870, the government initiative to develop industries, especially emphasis military industries. The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Chinastimulus Japan’s industrialization. The efforts of zaibatsu were also important that they developed their industries efficiently and controlled a large share of Japanese economy. They laid down the foundation of monopolized capitalism. Moreover, during the First World War, Japangained German rights in Chinaand some Pacific  Islands. She exported military goods to Europeand took over the Asian markets. Japanese shipping and shipbuilding businesses grew sharply which stimulated industrial development. So, Japan became the world’s third largest shipping country at that time. Also, the First World War brought great economic benefits to Japansuch as the railway and mining rights in South Manchuriaand Korea. As a result, she was a world power in terms of her economic situation. 

Militarily, Japanhad a strong army and navy under after the progress in the Meiji Modernization to regard as a world power. Firstly, she defeated Russiain the Russo-Japanese War and attained the status of a world power. This was the first time in modern history that an Asian country had won a battle with an European power so it laid down the successful of militarilism of Japan.
 
Finally, in terms of the international status, the Twenty-one Demands led to the replacement from Britain to Japan as the most influential power in China. Also in the Paris Peace Conference, Japanretained her wartime gains and became a respected member of the international community. She was recognized as one of the permanent members of the League of Nations. So it confirmed Japanese status as a world power. 
 
In conclusion, to a large extent, Japan can be regarded as a world power by the year of 1920. Beside the political weaknesses, her economic reforms, military and international situation were improved successfully. As a result, it is accurately that we can say Japan was a world power.