What effect did Western Imperialism have on Japan?

When Europeans were expanding their colonies around the
world, Japan made the decision to isolate itself and limit exports as a way of
protecting Japanese culture from dilution or western takeover.  Ultimately, Japan opened
its borders when American Admiral Perry sailed into Edo Bay (modern-day Tokyo) and
shocked Japan with America's superior naval technology and weapons.  Perry demanded that
Japan open its ports to American trade; other countries were not as lucky, and were
colonized by European powers.  Japan however was not colonized, but saw no choice but to
open its borders to trade with other
nations.

Westernization ended up benefitting Japan.  While
some cultural elements were made unnecessary, like the samurai warriors, other aspects
of Japanese culture thrived with goods and ideas from the West.
 

The Meiji Restoration followed Japan's ended isolation.
 Under the Meiji government, the government was recentralized and the feudal period
ended.  Samurais became bureaucrats who studied under Western economic and political
schools of thought.  The Japanese military, which was no match for Admiral Perry's
fleet, enforced conscription, where every male had to serve in the military for at least
5 years.  This effectively abolished the samurai class, as specialized warriors were no
longer necessary.  Rapid industrialization was funded; Japan wanted to catch up to the
West in terms of technology and industry.  Also like Western Europeans, Japan engaged in
imperialism, taking over Korea and later the Manchuria region of China.  With better
technology and nutrition from expansion, colonization, and industrialization, the
Japanese population boomed.  Unlike other nations, Japan managed to industrialize
without a major social revolution, making westernization in Japan
unique.