The main goal of Japanese modernization (also called The Meiji Restoration) was to strengthen Japan in all areas (political, military, economic, social) in order make it one of the greatest powers of the modern world.
By the time Meiji (Mutsuhito) seized control of the nation in 1867, Japan was a militarily weak country, with little technological development, a8nd whose power was restricted in several aspects (Ex: their foreign trade and legal system) by Europe and the U.S. Meiji came to power to make social, political and economic reforms that included a good system for education, a highly centralized, bureaucratic government, a well-developed transport system, an industrialized country, a powerful army, a fully independent nation, among others.
