The death of the Meiji Emperor, Mutsuhito, in 1912, officially ended the Meiji Era.  His long reign oversaw Japan overthrow the Shogunate form of government, cast off the feudal system, and fend off foreign aggressors.  Then began Japan's incredible, impressive, and quick rise to a world power with major implications in the first half of the 20th century.Japan's relationship with Korea perfectly exemplifies the Meiji's  geo-political history and goals.  It is important to grasp that if the Meiji Restoration is to be fully understood.A comparison is made between Japan's and China's response to foreign nation aggression toward them in the 19th century.  The comparison provides a compelling story of these two great nations.