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Why is the Meiji Restoration considered a turning point between traditional and modern Japan?

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The emperor Meiji — Meiji Restoration After the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Meiji emperor became the formal head of a new imperial government under whose reign Japan was transformed from an isolated feudal society into a modern, industrialized global power.

The Meiji Restoration is considered the definitive turning point between traditional and modern Japan because it dismantled the centuries-old feudal system and replaced it with a centralized, industrialized nation-state capable of competing on the global stage.12

Following the 1868 coup d’état that ended the Tokugawa shogunate, the new leadership sought to preserve Japan’s independence against Western encroachment by adopting the slogan "Enrich the country, strengthen the army" (Fukoku kyōhei). This transformation included:12

Political Centralization: The abolition of feudal domains in favor of a prefecture system, the establishment of a parliamentary system, and the adoption of the Meiji Constitution.12
Social Restructuring: The removal of feudal class privileges and the introduction of universal education and military conscription.12
Economic Modernization: The rapid development of railroads, telegraph lines, and a European-style banking system to foster industrial growth.12

By blending Western technology and institutional models with traditional Japanese values, Japan successfully transitioned from an isolated, agrarian society into a recognized world power by the early 20th century.2