Fukuzawa-Good Bye Asia PDF

Fukuzawa Yukichi, “Good-bye Asia” (1885)
Transportation has become so convenient these days that once the wind of Western civilization
blows to the East, every blade of grass and every tree in the East follow what the Western wind
brings. Ancient Westerners and present-day Westerners are from the same stock and are not much
different from one another. The ancient ones moved slowly, but their contemporary counterparts move
vivaciously at a fast pace. This is possible because present-day Westerners take advantage of the
means of transportation available to them. For those of us who live in the Orient, unless we want to
prevent the coming of Western civilization with a firm resolve, it is best that we cast our lot with them.
If one observes carefully what is going on in today’s world, one knows the futility of trying to prevent
the onslaught of Western civilization. Why not float with them in the same ocean of civilization, sail the
same waves, and enjoy the fruits and endeavors of civilization?
The movement of a civilization is like the spread of measles. Measles in Tokyo start in Nagasaki
and come eastward with the spring thaw. We may hate the spread of this communicable disease, but
is there any effective way of preventing it? I can prove that it is not possible. In a communicable
disease, people receive only damages. In a civilization, damages may accompany benefits, but
benefits always far outweigh them, and their force cannot be stopped. This being the case, there is no
point in trying to prevent their spread. A wise man encourages the spread and allows our people to
get used to its ways.
The Opening to the modern Civilization of the West began in the reign of Kaei (1848—58). Our
people began to discover its utility and gradually and yet actively moved toward its acceptance.
However there was an old-fashioned and bloated government that stood in the way of progress. It
was a problem impossible to solve. If the government were allowed to continue, the new civilization
could not enter. The modern civilization and Japan’s old conventions were mutually exclusive. If we
were to discard our old conventions, that government also had to be abolished. We could have
prevented the entry of this civilization, but it would have meant loss of our national independence. The
struggles taking place in the world civilization were such that they would not allow an Eastern island
nation to slumber in isolation. At that point, dedicated men (shijin) recognized the principle of “the
country is more important than the government,” relied on the dignity of the Imperial Household, and
toppled the old government to establish a new one. With this, public and the private sectors alike,
everyone in our country accepted the modern Western civilization. Not only were we able to cast
aside Japan’s old conventions, but we also succeeded in creating a new axle toward progress in Asia.
Our basic assumptions could be summarized in two words: “Good-bye Asia (Datsu-a).”
Japan is located in the eastern extremities of Asia, but the spirit of her people ha[s] already
moved away from the old conventions of Asia to the Western civilization. Unfortunately for Japan,
there are two neighboring countries. One is called China and another Korea. These two peoples, like
the Japanese people, have been nurtured by Asiatic political thoughts and mores. It may be that we
are different races of people, or it may be due to the differences in our heredity or education;
significant differences mark the three peoples. The Chinese and Koreans are more like each other
and together they do not show as much similarity to the Japanese. These two peoples do not know
how to progress either personally or as a nation. In this day and age with transportation becoming so
convenient, they cannot be blind to the manifestations of Western civilization. But they say that what
is seen or heard cannot influence the disposition of their minds. Their love affairs with ancient ways
and old customs remain as strong as they were centuries ago. In this new and vibrant theater of
civilization when we speak of education, they only refer back to Confucianism. As for school
education, they can only cite [Chinese philosopher Mencius’s] precepts of humanity, righteousness,
decorum, and knowledge. While professing their abhorrence to ostentation, in reality they show their
ignorance of truth and principles. As for their morality, one only has to observe their unspeakable acts
of cruelty and shamelessness. Yet they remain arrogant and show no sign of self-examination.
In my view, these two countries cannot survive as independent nations with the onslaught of
Western civilization to the East. Their concerned citizens might yet find a way to engage in a massive
reform, on the scale of our Meiji Restoration, and they could change their governments and bring
about a renewal of spirit among their peoples. If that could happen they would indeed be fortunate.
However, it is more likely that would never happen, and within a few short years they will be wiped out
from the world with their lands divided among the civilized nations. Why is this so? Simply at a time
when the spread of civilization and enlightenment (bummei kaika) has a force akin to that of measles,
China and Korea violate the natural law of its spread. They forcibly try to avoid it by shutting off air
from their rooms. Without air, they suffocate to death. It is said that neighbors must extend helping
hands to one another because their relations are inseparable. Today’s China and Korea have not
done a thing for Japan. From the perspectives of civilized Westerners, they may see what is
happening in China and Korea and judge Japan accordingly, because of the three countries’
geographical proximity. The governments of China and Korea still retain their autocratic manners and
do not abide by the rule of law. Westerners may consider Japan likewise a lawless society. Natives of
China and Korea are deep in their hocus pocus of nonscientific behavior. Western scholars may think
that Japan still remains a country dedicated to the yin and yang and five elements. Chinese are mean-
spirited and shameless, and the chivalry of the Japanese people is lost to the Westerners. Koreans
punish their convicts in an atrocious manner, and that is imputed to the Japanese as heartless people.
There are many more examples I can cite. It is not different from the case of a righteous man living in
a neighborhood of a town known for foolishness, lawlessness, atrocity, and heartlessness. His action
is so rare that it is always buried under the ugliness of his neighbors’ activities. When these incidents
are multiplied, that can affect our normal conduct of diplomatic affairs. How unfortunate it is for Japan.
What must we do today? We do not have time to wait for the enlightenment of our neighbors so
that we can work together toward the development of Asia. It is better for us to leave the ranks of
Asian nations and cast our lot with civilized nations of the West. As for the way of dealing with China
and Korea, no special treatment is necessary just because they happen to be our neighbors. We
simply follow the manner of the Westerners in knowing how to treat them. Any person who cherishes
a bad friend cannot escape his bad notoriety. We simply erase from our minds our bad friends in Asia.
Source: David Lu, ed., Japan: A Documentary History (Armonk, New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1997), pp.
351-353

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Fukuzawa Yukichi, “Good-bye Asia” (1885)

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