Japanese Colonialism Was no Different to Western Colonialism - Essay Example

Although, Japanese and British colonialism took place during the same period, their colonial policies were quite different in some aspects while similar in other. The major areas in which Japan and Britain formed its colonies were significantly different. The regions where the Japanese were the most dominant in their colonial rule are Korea, Taiwan and Philippines. Whereas the British rule was prevalent in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Their policies seemed significantly different in some aspects, yet somehow similar in others.

The basic difference in the policies of these colonial powers was their aim of colonization. The colonization by Japanese aimed at extending the Japanese empire in various parts of the world. Whereas the British aimed to give independence to its colonies whenever the need arises. Their policies relating to laws, rule and regulations and economic development were significantly different. In areas of managing cultural diversity and education, their policies were quite similar. Japanese wanted to rule its colonies directly while the British supported the idea of indirect rule.

In Africa, British let the African leaders to carry out their judicial and executive functions with the support of British officials. The British were in favor of indirect rule as they did not have to spend money in order to recreate the constitutional framework and hiring and firing of government employees. By letting the native leaders to continue carrying their functions, the British were able to save manpower and money. They gave a high degree of autonomy and strength to native authorities.

In areas where there was one ethnic group, the local customary laws seemed to work. In areas where there were many ethnic groups, the British made councils which were made up of the natives who were the educated elite. These councils were in the supervision of British. It seemed that British were more interested in reaping the economic benefits from the region rather than in governing it (Kenneth A. Schultz and Alexander Lee). On the other hand, the Japanese installed new governments in which the governor generals were in charge of controlling the law and accommodating the needs of the native Koreans and Taiwanese.

The legal system was extremely discriminatory against native populations in the colonies. Koreans ,who had gained education could participate in government, were given fewer rights than Japanese. The natives did not have the same level of protection under Japanese law as the Japanese did and were not given the right to elect their government. This kind of discrimination was practiced in order to make the colonial subjects so weak that they are unable to rebel against the colonial powers. Later the education system was also designed as such that the colonial subjects were not provided that level of education which would lead to a rebellion or at least empowerment of the colonial subjects.

The Japanese aimed to have a controlled empire which would be controlled from Tokyo and the laws would be no different from those which govern the original Japanese nation. Initially, the local laws were kept intact and the Supreme court in Japan had no control over those in Taiwan and Korea. The impression was given that the judiciary will remain independent of the parent company’s laws. In reality, this initiative was just taken in order to win the support of