Fukuzawa Yukichi famously argued in 1885 that “Japan should throw off Asia”. Did Japan throw off Asia?
Fukuzawa’s quote “Escape from Asia”

“We must not wait for neighboring countries to become civilized so that we can
together promote Asia’s revival. Rather we should leave their ranks and join
forces with the civilized countries of the West. We don’t have to give China and
Korea any special treatment just because they are neighboring countries. We
should deal with them as Western people do. Those who have bad friends
cannot avoid having a bad reputation. I reject the idea that we must continue to
associate with bad friends in East Asia”