Fashion after the Meiji Restoration
Japanese fashion and culture was purposefully westernised after the Meiji Restoration. As a result fashion changed drastically over the course of just a few decades. This push towards modernisation and westernisation was called 文明開化 (Bunmei Kaika), the "enlightenment of civilization".
The new Government after the fall of Tokugawa shogun took a very proactive role in encouraging Japanese people to address western modes of dress. At the time, becoming 'westernised' was seen as becoming equivalent to other modernised countries, and critical to the survival of Japan as an Independent nation.
The change to fashion came slower than it did to other factors of Japanese culture. Modern Japanese men were expected to dress in western style clothing, especially if they were in contact with foreigners.
The new Government after the fall of Tokugawa shogun took a very proactive role in encouraging Japanese people to address western modes of dress. At the time, becoming 'westernised' was seen as becoming equivalent to other modernised countries, and critical to the survival of Japan as an Independent nation.
The change to fashion came slower than it did to other factors of Japanese culture. Modern Japanese men were expected to dress in western style clothing, especially if they were in contact with foreigners.