Document Type : Scientific-Research Article

Authors

• Ali Golmohammadi ¹
• Makoto Hachioshi ²

¹ Ph.D. Student of Cultural and Regional Studies, Tokyo Foreign Studies University

² Professor of South and West Asian Studies Department , Tokyo Foreign Studies University

Abstract

There is a close link between \"time\" and \"changes\". Thus, two simultaneous events may undergo different processes due to different historical and cultural circumstances. The development process in Japan and Iran is one example. The two countries' confrontation with the west in 19th century is generally considered to be the beginning of their development and modernization. But Japan actually entered this phase after a relatively short period of a decade from the time it accepted the Tariff Trade conditions in 1858, the presence of the U.S. navy and until the establishment of a modern state following the return of Meiji (1868).
A survey of the chronicles and other literature that illustrate the conditions of Qajar era sheds light over the social behavior of the time and the absence of the vital elements necessary for development, thought this kind of behavior may be rooted in more distant past.
It could be concluded that despite the start of transition from a traditional society to the modern time as a result of confrontation with the west, success in treading this path was mostly due to the existing circumstances that had paved the way for this strenuous goal. The institutionalization of such traits as accountability for the assumed duties and the assigned social roles in a country like Japan, facilitated the move forward in the path of modernization.

Keywords

• development
• Japan
• Iran
• duty
• Accountability