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Fukuzawa attempted to build friendly relations with Korea, and to encourage and aid the push towards reforms and modernization in Korea through programs of education for Korean students at Keiô University, and through supporting Korean reformers and activists in various ways, but ultimately was unsuccessful in having any particularly notable impact. In [[1884]], Japanese activists including members of the [[Freedom and People's Rights Movement]], as well as official government delegations, attempted to effect some reforms in Korea, and to build friendlier official ties between the two countries, but these too were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, French victories in Indochina, among other events, led Fukuzawa to turn away from his efforts to lend aid or push for reforms in East and Southeast Asia.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 105.</ref>

Fukuzawa attempted to build friendly relations with Korea, and to encourage and aid the push towards reforms and modernization in Korea through programs of education for Korean students at Keiô University, and through supporting Korean reformers and activists in various ways, but ultimately was unsuccessful in having any particularly notable impact. In [[1884]], Japanese activists including members of the [[Freedom and People's Rights Movement]], as well as official government delegations, attempted to effect some reforms in Korea, and to build friendlier official ties between the two countries, but these too were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, French victories in Indochina, among other events, led Fukuzawa to turn away from his efforts to lend aid or push for reforms in East and Southeast Asia.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 105.</ref>

Among his famous works is an essay entitled ''Datsu-A ron'' ("On Departing Asia"), in which he argues that Japan needs to join itself to the Western powers, and stop associating itself with Asia.

Meanwhile, Fukuzawa was also an outspoken proponent of the need for a central plan for the development of [[Tokyo]], and for attention to be paid for the construction of a properly impressive and modern [[Tokyo Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]] at its center. Countering arguments which pointed to the [[Sage Kings]] of old, who lived simply and frugally in order to benefit the people, Fukuzawa was bold in calling the emperors of old "primitive" and "uncivilized," and arguing that for this civilized, modern, time, a modern capital was needed, most importantly in order to demonstrate Japan's modernity and the majesty and impressiveness of the Emperor to the nations of the world.<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', UC Press (1998), 74.</ref>

Fukuzawa also founded the newspaper ''Jiji shinpô'', which ran from [[1882]] to 1936.

Fukuzawa also founded the newspaper ''Jiji shinpô'', which ran from [[1882]] to 1936. In March [[1885]], he published a now famous essay which has come to be known as ''[[Datsu-A ron]]'' ("On De-Asianizing"), in which Fukuzawa argues that neither can Japan help uplift Asia (which has proven itself recalcitrant, stubborn, and cold to Japanese overtures), nor allow itself to be associated in Western eyes with such backward, failing, nations. [[Inoue Kaoru]] expressed similar ideas two years later, advocating that Japan had to become a European-style empire if it wished to retain its independence.<ref>Jansen, 105-106.</ref>

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==References==

==References==

[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Scholars and Philosophers]]

[[Category:Scholars and Philosophers]]