Page:A handbook of modern Japan (IA handbookofmodern01clem).pdf/367



civilization.—Example of civilized nation.—Transmitter of Western civilization.—Japan and Korea.—Japan and China.—Fuchow, Yangtse Valley, and Manchuria.—Japanese leaders of Chinese.—Dr. Hirth on China and Japan.—Japanese invasion of China.—Siam and Japan.—The United States a Pacific Power.—A complete Anglo-Japanese Alliance.—Russia and Japan.—Two streams of civilization.—New Japan egotistic.—Prospects of Japan.—Confidence in Japan.—Bibliography.
 * Aims and ambitions of Japan.—Grand park.—Commercial centre.—Advantageous position.—Leader in

t is now appropriate to inquire what is apparently the mission of Japan in the world. Since even much less powerful nations have played most important parts on the stage of the world's history, it is simply inconceivable that Japan should have attained in so brief a period such an eminent position as a world-power without having some special mission to perform and some contribution to make to the sum total of what is called civilization. And in considering this topic of the mission of Japan, it may be well to ascertain what are the aims and aspirations of the Japanese, because it is usually along these lines that a nation, as well as an individual, achieves success. Let us then permit Japanese themselves to answer largely our queries concerning the rôle which