Japan wanted a strong military for several reasons. They believed that a strong centralized army of obedient soldiers would strengthen the government. They saw that a military system was creating an extension of their political-military goals. Also, with a strong military the government could bring about change and crush any internal opposition. They also believed that without a strong military force that they would also be regarded as a minor nation by Western powers. It was also necessary to renegotiate the unequal treaties. As Japan wanted to become a colonial power, since the leaders believed that the countries with colonies were highly respected. To accomplish this, Japan decided to build a powerful army and navy using the British navy and German army as its models. The military also helped achieve the goal of breaking apart the class structure by forcing people to get an education and bring back several new things to their village and modernize it. In addition to this, the military kept the country united and changed the influence and power of Japan in the surrounding area.
How Did Japan Change Its Military System to Meet Political Needs?