What was the main purpose of the Meiji Restoration?
A) to build a Japanese empire throughout Southeast Asia
B) to create a national identity based on ancient Japanese beliefs
C) to build a defense system to prevent China from colonizing Japana
D) to centralize the Japanese government in order to embrace modern reforms

D) to centralize the Japanese government in order to embrace modern reforms .

Explanation:

Japan quickly modernized and Westernized in the Meiji Era. It adopted Western public administration standards, urban models, economic and business methods, and military organization models. It became the first full industrial power of Asia. Though it embarked on imperial expansion many decades after having started modernization (a different era), it was not a major goal of the Meiji Era.