Impact of Colonialism/Imperialism on Japanese and Chinese Women Roles, Education and

Rights

Impact of Colonialism/Imperialism on Japanese and Chinese Women Roles, Education and

Rights

The western imperialists arrived in China and Japan during the early and the late 19 th
century respectively after a long period of isolationism in both countries. In China, the British
imperialists made a grand entry after defeating China in the Opium war of 1839-42. The British
access would be strengthened further with the Second Opium war, which took place in 1856-60
(Wahed, 2016). As for Japan, its proper encounter with the imperialists started in 1853 when
Commodore Perry from the US arrived in the country and challenged its isolationism (Goto-
Jones, 2009). Imperialism produced a range of effects on the two countries’ religious practices,
communities, education and political systems. Among the most notable changes were changes in
women roles, education and human rights as explained in this paper.

The Situation before the Arrival of the Imperialists

Before the arrival of the western countries in Japan and China, the two countries were
traditional countries guided by Confucianism norms and ethics. Apart from emphasizing on the
filial piety doctrine, Confucianism in the two nations also emphasized on patriarchy and role
designation in the society (Mitter, 2016; Goto-Jones, C. (2009). However, the traditional Chinese
society accommodated some equality through literacy and social mobility (Mitter, 2016). This
was emphasized by leaders like Chen who encouraged women literacy and saw these things as
constituents of an ordered and decent society. However, the situation in Japan was much
different since Confucianism-defined relationships in Japan were viewed as “inalienable parts of
the natural order” (Goto-Jones, 2009 pg. 31).

Changes in Women Roles after Contact with the Imperialist West

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The Chinese contact with the west led to the redefining of traditional family structures,
which had been well defined in the traditional society. Women were allowed to work, and this
would later lead to their demand of equality like men. Before then, women had been viewed as
inferior to men, but things changed with increased modernization and industrialization. One of
the revolutionists who supported the new change in gender roles was Mao Zedon, a 20 th century
revolutionist. In his support of the changing gender roles and rebuke to some men, Mao stated
that “women hold up half of the sky” (Mitter, 2016). One of the practices that defined the
inferiority of women over men was the feet-binding practices. The tradition was a fashion among
women who wanted to have a reputable life and was associated with beauty and the probability
of getting into a good marriage (Mitter, 2016). Although the practice was not in line with the
Confucian ethics, which spoke against body mutilation, it was still practiced in China. Thus, one
of the most obvious indicator of the changing gender roles after the contact with the western
world was a drop of this practice.
Before the arrival of the British imperialists, women in China also had few work
openings. Trading, which was one of the practices was also not open for them as they were
viewed as less proficient than men mentally. Later, in the 19 th century, there was a shift in gender
roles through the disintegration of the pyramid order that placed men above women (Mitter,
2016). Women rights movement developed to push for equality and professional, autonomous,
urban and new woman vocabularies entered the Chinese literature. By the early 20 th century,
women status in China changed (Mitter, 2016). Apart from abandoning her foot binding practice,
the new woman was no longer bound by traditional gender roles of looking after her husband and
children. Instead, women could leave home for work, and this saw many women becoming
students, journalists and lawyers.

IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON WOMEN ROLES, EDUCATION AND RIGHTS 4

In comparison to China, Japan was more conservative when it came to gender roles. After
contact with the West, gender roles took time before they shifted. Women were still expected to
play their good motherly and wifely roles. However, they could work tirelessly as laborers in the
textile industries that had started to emerge (Goto-Jones, 2009). However, by the early 20 th
century, a major shift in gender roles occurred. There was a rapid emergence of the middle class
and the salaried people. In the process, white collared women workers, shop ladies and office
attendants increased. Although these women were paid poorly, they had pioneered the change in
gender role in the modern Japanese life (Goto-Jones, 2009). Just as roles changed, women broke
from the former samurai traditions by embracing freedom and liberal actions and thoughts.
Changes in Women Education after Contact with the Imperialist West
Before the arrival of the British, women in the elite Chinese group were literate. In fact,
during some part of the 17 th century elite women would write and publish their work, which they
used to communicate their views and opinions. Therefore, when the imperialists came, there was
an increased intellectual movement in China. There were increased opportunities for women to
advance their education and become students and journalists. Although higher education at this
time was only a sphere that very few could get to, women, just like men, were among the few.
One of the proponents of women education in China was Tao Xingzhi who, in the 20 th century,
advocated for education for all in China. He saw education as one of the ways of transforming
the people of China and achieving the much needed economic growth and development (Tao,
2016).
In Japan, the country was quick to adopt the western educational practices including
compulsory primary education for all. In this environment, higher education started blossoming
and the government emphasized hiring based on merits and not heredity and not on class or

IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON WOMEN ROLES, EDUCATION AND RIGHTS 5

gender. By 1960s, higher educational access in the country was not just a reserve for the high
social classes, the financially stable or gender based. Instead, the nation ensured “a social
distribution of entries into the best universities” (Goto-Jones, 2009 pg. 104). At the lower
educational levels, there were uniform availability and quality of secondary and primary schools
in the country for all including women. Japan even rolled out a plan in the 20 th century to extend
its influence across the world by internationalizing higher education. The country also did this to
make sure that its populations, including women are well equipped with skills that matched the
global competitiveness (Stigger et al., 2018). 

Changes in Women Human Rights after the Entry of the Imperialists
Human rights changes in the two country can be discussed in all areas such as rights to
education, equality, liberty and freedom and right to life free of any form of discrimination
among others. In a Confucianism society, filiation, deference and modesty were encouraged as
opposed to the Western independence and individualism (Sim, 2004). After the arrival of the
western imperialists, equality became a common subject in both nations. In the 19 th and 20 th
century, equality was greatly advocated by people Kang Youwei and Mao Zedong who were
supporters of equality among men and women (Mitter, 2016). Kang blatantly proposed for a
society with equal rights in all areas including marriage. Before then, women had always been
viewed as inferior in the society, but Mao saw great ability in women and advocated for their
liberation (Mitter, 2016). Equality was also observed through changes in traditions like the feet-
binding tradition and the change from traditional roles to employment and freedom. After that,
equality brought a new, autonomous, professional modern woman in China.
As for Japan, the subject of women rights also came into being during the same period.
However, women rights did not develop easily in Japan because the Japanese society still

IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON WOMEN ROLES, EDUCATION AND RIGHTS 6

expected women to continue being wise mothers and good wives for their husbands. Because of
this, women were prompted to the women rights movement, which advocated for their rights.
Goto-Jones (2009) notes that even at the beginning of the 20 th century, Japanese women were not
allowed in political meetings and this remained until the 1920s. During the same time, women
embraced employment even though they were under paid, and this led to liberal minded modern
women with much liberties than the traditional women.
The achievement of right to freedom and equality in Japan during this period is well
explained by Silverberg who describes the Japanese modern woman. According to her, she was a
middle class consumer, decadent modern girl whose smoking, clothing and way of life went
against tradition in all manner. She was a symbol of the capitalist modernity with new social aura
and thoughts (Miriam Silverberg, 1991). The epitome of gender equality and women freedom in
Japan after came in the early part of the 20 th century when more women joined the military
(Frühstück, 2014). Since then, women in modern Japan have been chasing after independence
and rising social mobility through calculative employment and profession choice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, imperialism in Japan and China after the arrival of the west produced
different changes in the countries’ education and community systems. Among the most affected
groups were women as the effects saw increased changes in roles, education and women rights.
Women education in the two societies increased and roles changed from traditional wife roles to
employment and increased status. Rights also changed as there was increased freedom and
equality in both countries.

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References

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