The Japan-British Exhibition of 1910 : Gateway to the Island Empire of the East

1. Background of the time (1905-10) -- 2. Preparations -- 3. Exhibition objectives -- 4. From the opening day until the end of the exhibition -- 5. Reactions to the exhibition -- 6. Aftermath of the exhibition -- 7. Some concluding reflections. "The rapid development of Japan, an Asian nation, at the turn of the twentieth century, including the defeat of Russia in 1904-5, both intrigued the Great Powers in the West, as well as arousing reactions of concern and suspicion. Britain was the most important of the Powers upon which Japan was particularly keen to make a strong impression and thereby help to mitigate the rising tide of anti-Japanese sentiment in Europe, America and elsewhere. Because of the existence at this time of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, it was also very much Japan's ambition to project herself as the 'Island Empire of the East'. A spectacular exhibition in London, therefore (to be held at White City, Shepherd's Bush), with full national commitment, was seen as a timely opportunity by Japan's Meiji government leaders to advance her agendas in political, economic and educational terms - despite the financial austerity Japan was experiencing at the time."--BOOK JACKET The rapid development of Japan at the turn of the last century, including the defeat of Russia in 1904-5, intrigued the western Imperial powers, but also aroused reactions of contempt and suspicion. Britain was the most important of the powers upon which Japan earnestly wished to impress herself to mitigate the rising tide of anti-Japanese sentiment. An exhibition in London, therefore, was seen as a timely event by the Meiji Government to advance Japanese agendas in political, economic and educational terms. This is the first major study of this remarkable venture, fully reviewed and documented, and concerned principally with the Japanese side of the story. Faced with western contempt and suspicion, the Meiji Government staged this exhibition to advance Japanese agendas in political, economic and educational terms. The first major study principally concerned with the Japanese side of this story.