What event launched a period of rapid industrialization and Westernization in Japan during the 19th century?

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 launched a period of rapid industrialization and Westernization in Japan. This political revolution marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. The new government initiated extensive reforms, adopting Western technologies and practices in various sectors, including industry, military, and education, leading to significant economic growth and modernization.