Korea Annexed, 1910

Episode Narrative

In the early years of the 20th century, the world watched as Japan transformed from a secluded island nation into a burgeoning modern power. It was 1854 when Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States arrived at the shores of Japan with his fleet, an event that shattered over 200 years of isolation. The doors of Japan swung open, revealing a landscape poised for immense change. This moment marked the beginning of a journey that would culminate in the annexation of Korea in 1910.

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 was a pivotal turning point for Japan. The Tokugawa shogunate, which had ruled for generations, crumbled as imperial rule was restored under Emperor Meiji. This era became defined by rapid modernization, as the new government sought to catch up with the West. Japan was not merely adopting Western practices; it was learning to harmonize them with its own rich cultural heritage. This intricate balance would create a new national identity, one that would soon extend to its ambitions on the Korean Peninsula.

As the years progressed, wide-ranging reforms swept through Japan. The land ownership system was overhauled, feudal domains were dismantled, and a modern property tax system was established. With these changes came new forms of governance. The feudal han system was replaced by a centralized prefectural system in 1871. All of this aimed to consolidate power and facilitate the sweeping reforms envisioned by the new Meiji government.

In 1872, the first railway line connected Tokyo to Yokohama, a tangible symbol of Japan’s embrace of industrial technology. Railroads soon crisscrossed the country, accelerating both commerce and the movement of people. The urban landscape began to transform dramatically, with Western architectural styles in residence beside traditional structures. Gas lighting illuminated the streets where Western-style clothing soon became commonplace, reflecting the profound shifts in daily life.

As Japan strived for modernization, the cultural exchanges with the West were substantial. French art, in particular, found a fertile ground in Japan, influencing local styles and enriching the artistic landscape. Yet, amidst these changes, there remained a clarion call to reinforce a unique national identity. In 1873, with the lifting of the ban on Christianity due to Western pressure, Shinto was institutionalized as the state religion, intertwining faith with a burgeoning sense of nationalism.

However, the new order was not without its challenges. The Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 saw disaffected samurai rise against the reforms, fueled by a sense of loss over their once-venerated status. Led by the revered Saigō Takamori, the rebellion was a dramatic clash between tradition and modernization. The modernized Imperial Japanese Army crushed the revolt, solidifying the new government’s authority and forcing the nation to reckon with its own rapid progress.

As Japan’s military ambitions began to take shape, the First Sino-Japanese War erupted between 1894 and 1895. This conflict not only showcased Japan’s military prowess but also declared to the world that it was no longer a passive observer. Victorious, Japan gained Taiwan and asserted itself as a regional power, driven partly by a collective narrative of national shame and newfound ambition.

By the turn of the century, the world was about to witness another seismic shift. The Russo-Japanese War from 1904 to 1905 would elevate Japan's status on the global stage. The triumphant defeat of Russia, a major European power, stunned onlookers and redefined the perceptions of Asian capabilities. With the Treaty of Portsmouth mediated by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, Japan gained significant concessions in Korea and Manchuria. This was not merely a negotiation; it was a powerful testament to Japan's rise.

Meanwhile, tension simmered as Japan tightened its control over Korea. In 1909, the assassination of Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first prime minister and the architect of the Meiji Constitution, by a Korean nationalist in Harbin highlighted the resistance brewing beneath the surface. What was viewed as expansion from the Japanese perspective was met with growing anxiety and opposition from the Korean populace.

And then, came 1910, a year that would forever alter the trajectory of Korea and Japan. Japan formally annexed Korea, ending the Joseon dynasty and establishing the Governor-General of Korea. Railways were laid down, land surveys conducted, and the yen imposed to facilitate economic integration. For many Koreans, this was not liberation but the start of a dark chapter, marked by loss of sovereignty and cultural suppression.

The impact of annexation was felt in daily life across both nations. Urbanization accelerated as gas-lit cities boomed with Western influences while the rural areas continued to cling to traditional practices. Schools were built, but underneath the facade of modernization lay systemic efforts to erase Korean identity. Education became a tool for indoctrination, with the Meiji government mandating schooling for all children, seeking to mold a new generation of citizens loyal to the Empire.

Yet as cities thrived, the environment paid a heavy price. Industrialization led to significant degradation. The myth of Japan’s premodern harmony with nature was shattered by rampant deforestation and pollution. Concrete sprawled across landscapes that had once been nurtured by human hands, challenging the collective memory of an era past. The heavens darkened with smoke as the very essence of what had once nourished life was sacrificed on the altar of progress.

With the annexation of Korea, Japan not only altered the fate of a neighboring nation; it underwent a profound transformation in understanding its own identity on the global stage. The journey from isolation to ambition was fraught with conflict and contradiction, and as the storm of modernization swirled, it created both opportunities and challenges.

Looking back, the events of 1910 stand as a dark reflection on the human cost of nationalism and ambition. The echoes of subjugation were not merely confined to the history books; they resonate in the current narratives of identity and memory in both Japan and Korea today. The quest for power, progress, and identity requires reflection. What lessons can be drawn from such a tumultuous period?

In the years since the annexation, Korea has rebuilt, while Japan continues to grapple with the legacy of its actions. They are countries that have journeyed through pain and resilience, forging their paths against the backdrop of history. As we consider their intertwined destinies, let us ask ourselves: How do nations emerge from the shadows of their pasts, and what responsibility do we bear in honoring those who suffered under such burdens?