Why did the meiji reformers want ti modernize japan?

To colonize weaker nations in Southeast Asia to allow Western nations to protect them in trade negotiations to compete with the economies and military of Western nations to replace traditional practices with Western culture. Hope this helped!

The Meiji reformers wanted to modernize Japan to compete with the economies and military of Western nations. This was right after the Treaty of Kanagawa, and it was very unpopular. After doing extensive research, Emperor Mutsuhito realized that modernization would help Japan defend itself against foreign influence. This would be answer "C" on Edmentum Plato. 

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