The fanatical loyalty of the Japanese people to their emperor was rooted in the history of the country and especially the origins of the Meiji Era. In an historically brief period, Japan had been transformed from an isolated and relatively weak nation to a regional and global power prominent in international relations. This swift transformation brought dangers and challenges to Japan's traditional patterns of life and government. Japan had to deal with the impact of Western ideas, and modernization in all parts of Japanese life put great stress on leaders and people. Japanese leaders sought to expand Japan's global involvement, but that meant becoming involved with Western forces which were a threat to Japanese traditional life:
In the accomplishment of this ambitious goal the Meiji leadership displayed two striking characteristics: a readiness to try new methods and push ahead with them boldly, coupled with a tenacious adherence to traditional ideals and virtues (133).
One major force for stability in this turbulent time was nationalism, described as "a sentiment already well-nourished in Tokugawa times and requiring little stimulus from the West, but which quickly grew into an all-pervasive creed and cult" (135). Added to this cult and intensifying it were "a nationalistic cult centered upon the God-Emperor" and "the strong support of Confucian ethics" (135).
Despite earlier political moves toward giving some power to the people in the Meiji period, there was a stronger tendency toward giving the sovereign unquestioned power: "It will be evident . . . that as the supreme right is one and indivisible, the legislative power remains in the hands of the sovereign and is not bestowed on the people (161).
The rise of nationalism, then "ultranationalism" (240), became stronger with military victories and greater economic development. Ultranationalism accompanied Japan's growing power on a global scale. Ultranationalists ...