after commodore perry's visit, japan began to deliberately accept western culture to the point of hiring westerners to teach western customs and traditions to the japanese starting in the meiji era. many japanese politicians have since also encouraged the westernization of japan using the term datsu-a ron, which means the argument for "leaving asia" or "good-bye asia". in datsu-a ron, "westernization" was described as an "unavoidable" but "fruitful" change. after japan's surrender to the united states and its allies ended world war ii, the westernization process of japanese culture was further intensified and today, japan is notably among the most westernized countries in asia.