The restoration of power to the Emperor of Japan was a culmination of growing discontent against the Tokugawa shogunate's rule, which had lasted for over 250 years. Japan faced multiple crises, including military threats from Western powers, such as the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853, which forced Japan to open its ports to international trade. As socio-economic and political pressures mounted, various factions began to push back against the shogunate, advocating for a return to imperial rule.

The movement eventually manifested in the Rescript from Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun, who acknowledged the need for change and decided to cede authority to Emperor Meiji. This transfer marked the end of feudalism in Japan and sparked profound reforms across the nation, known collectively as the Meiji Restoration. The restoration sought to consolidate power under the emperor and modernize Japan's political and military structures, as well as its economy and society, adopting Western technologies and practices.

As the Japanese society began to shift towards modernization, this internal political upheaval set the stage for Japan to emerge as a powerful player on the global stage in the ensuing decades. The reforms that followed the restoration would lead to significant industrialization, military expansion, and transformation of societal norms, reshaping Japan's identity in the modern world.