Seceding from Asia (Datsuaron)

Fukuzawa Yukichi

The winds of Western civilisation have slowly blown to the east, as communication

has improved, and so that there is not a blade of grass that has not bent under their

influence. The life style of the Western people has, it may be said, to not have

changed over the years but while it was placid in the past today it has become

energetic, precisely because they have successfully taken advantage of modern modes

of travel. If the people of the eastern countries have the resolve to protect themselves

from the gradual spread of Western civilisation that would be a different matter but at

least for those who observe the real condition of the world know that is not possible

and there is no alternative but to move with the times and become a part of the ebb

and flow of the sea of civilisation and rise with its waves; a rise that brings both joy

and sorrow. Western civilisation could be compared to the spread of measles. The

measles that affects Tokyo today spread gradually eastwards with the sprig weather

from Nagasaki. We may hate the harmful effects of this disease and seek to prevent it

but are there any means available today. I think that there is absolutely no way to

protect ourselves. There is absolutely nothing beneficial that can be done against the

ill effects of this disease. When there is nothing we can do to stop a harmful epidemic

what can be done to prevent the spread of civilisation which brings both benefit and

harmful, and perhaps more good than harm. Intellectuals should far from stopping its

spread should actually assist in its diffusion and help people to quickly immerse

themselves in its ethos.

Western civilisation first entered our country when it was opened in the Kaei era

and people understood the importance of adopting Western civilisation and became

energetic; but nothing could be done about the old-fashioned and aging government

that blocked the road to progress. If you desire to preserve the government the

Western civilisation cannot be adopted. Since modern civilisation cannot co-exists

with Japanese conventionalism then it follows that the government will collapse if

you throw out the old days. The tensions and pressures of world civilisation will not

allow an isolated island in the East to sleep so if you prevent the encroachment of

Western civilisation then Japan cannot stay independent. The people (samurai) of this

country, at this juncture, based on the principle that the nation is given respect than

the government, with the help of the sacred majesty of the Imperial House overthrew

the old government and established the new government.

The land of Japan lies on the eastern fringe of Asia but we can say that the spirit of

the Japanese people transcended the bigotry of Asia and has moved towards Western

civilisation. Unfortunately, however, there are two neighbouring countries- one called

China and other Korea. The peoples of these two countries, just like our own, have

been nurtured in the conventional political and religious milieu but despite being

brought up in the same ethos is it because of the different origins, or difference in the

inherited legacy and education that the people of China and Korea resemble each

other than they do Japan. These two countries, both as nations and as individuals, do

not understand the way to reform though they cannot but be aware of the material

aspect of Western civilisation. Yet the evidence of their eyes and ears is not enough to

move their hearts and they continue to cling to the old customs and manners in the

same way they have done for thousands of years. In today’s fast changing world (in

the context of the introduction of Western civilisation) even when they talk of

education all they can think of is Confucianism, and in school education they cannot

think beyond the Five Confucian Virtues, so it seems (that in all matters), they are

concerned with outward forms. These people are, in reality, not only ignorant of the

‘principle of truth’, but all morality ahs been erased and they have become extremely

cruel and lack all integrity; as the very proud they lack any idea of self-examination.

When I look at these two nations I see no way for them to preserve their

independence in the present world as (Western) civilisation moves eastwards. If they

are fortunate and patriots come forward to initiate the work of advancing their

countries as we did during the Restoration, by undertaking a broad range of plans to

reform the government, in particular to reforming the attitudes of the people, even as

politics is reformed then, of course, it would be a different matter; but if this does not

happen, then within some years they will be finished as countries. The worlds

enlightened nations will divide their lands amongst themselves –on this point there

can be no doubt. Thus, while facing the onslaught of Western civilisation which is

like a measles epidemic these two countries have tried to ignore the contagion and for

protection locked themselves a room, which will only suffocate them. There is an old

Chinese saying that the relationship between neighbouring countries is like lips and

teeth and so each should help the other but Chin and Korea are, at present, not only of

no help to Japan but the West tends to treat all the three in the same manner just

because of their geographical proximity. So if China and Korea have old style

autocratic governments without dependable laws, Westerners will suspect that Japan

too is a country without Law; if the people of China and Korea are irrational and lack

knowledge of science, Western scholars will think that Japan too is a country of Yin-

Yang and the Five Virtues; if the Chinese people are servile and know no shame, the

chivalry of the Japanese will, because of this be hidden; if in Korea people are

punished cruelly, it will be inferred that the Japanese too are cruel. Such examples can

be citied endlessly. This can be compared to the situation in a town or village where

the people, who are foolish, lawless, cruel and heartless, overwhelm the rare man who

is just in human affairs. This can be seen actually in our foreign policy, where it has

become no small obstacle. It is a great misfortune for our country. To achieve our

present objectives our country cannot wait for its neighbours to become so civilised

that we may combine to awaken Asia, rather our country should secede from their

ranks and behave like the Western countries. It is not necessary to treat China and

Korea in any special manner just because they are neighbours, we should deal with

them in the same way as the Westerners. People with disreputable friends get a bad

name through their association and I feel that we should secede, in our hearts, from

the friends if ill-repute of the Eastern region of Asia