Why was Japan's progress so slow at first?

Answer 1

Japan's initial progress was slow due to a combination of factors, including isolationist policies, a lack of industrial infrastructure, and limited access to foreign technology and resources. The Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century, enforced strict social hierarchies and limited foreign trade, stifling innovation. Additionally, the country faced internal conflicts and resistance to change, which further hindered its development. It wasn't until the Meiji Restoration in 1868 that Japan began to rapidly modernize and industrialize.