 On the “modernization” of non-European countries 
Vidal de la Blache (1845-1918) has always been interested in the “modernization” of the world. He was fascinated by the strong influence of railroads on spatial organization, social structure, forms of government, and people’s mentality. And he tried to explain the complex interrelations or combinations between “traditional and fixed structures” and “modern contacts and circulation.” This paper examines what kind of role his research on Asian countries played in the formation and development of his own geographical conception. What perspective did he gain from the experience of modernization in a non-European region? By exploring his research on Asia, we could reconsider not only the development of his conception of modern human geography, but also his vision of the formation of the modern world.