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Although not a particularly bloody episode, the Meiji Restoration did see quite a high turnover of its leaders including Yoshida Shōin executed, Kusaka Genzui killed in battle, Sufu Masanosuke forced to commit suicide, Takasugi Shinsaku of disease and Sakamoto Ryoma assassinated. What if some of these had survived and perhaps others had died? In particular, since it would have effects mostly after 1868, what if Sakamoto had survived and Yamagata Aritomo had died at the moment of victory? As Sakamoto's great skill was persuasiveness while Yamagata's skill was military and organisation, might Japan have developed with less emphasis on its armed forces? As Sakamoto collaborated closely with western traders such as Thomas Glover, might Japan have become more open to foreign businesses?
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