After modernizing herself Japan embarked on an expansionist policy on the pattern of other European imperialist powers. In 1871 she imposed a commercial treaty on China. In 1876 Japan procured a more elaborate treaty of Korea through a naval demonstration. In 1894 Japan waged a war against China and with the help of her modernized army won a victory within few weeks.
As a result of this victory Japan claimed the Liaotung Peninsula (in Manchuria) with its excellent harbour at Port Arthur. She also got Formosa and Pescadores islands and secured independence for Korea. However, Japan had to abandon Liaotung when France, Germany and Russia intervened.