Nishi Amane and Modern Japanese Thought

Nishi Amane, a pivotal figure in nineteenth-century Japan, championed the adoption of Western culture and intellectual values during a transformative period. After studying in Europe, he returned to Japan before the Meiji Restoration, advocating for the abandonment of Confucian principles in favor of utilitarianism and positivism. His commitment to empirical scholarship and self-improvement shaped Japan's modernization efforts. As a teacher, writer, and government administrator, Nishi played a crucial role in redefining Japan's intellectual landscape at a critical historical juncture.