The event associated with the beginning of the Meiji Restoration in Japan is the Meiji Restoration itself, which began in 1868. This was a political revolution that effectively ended the Tokugawa shogunate and restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. The Restoration marked a significant turning point, as Japan rapidly transformed from a feudal society into a modern industrial state. This period saw major reforms in government, military, economy, and society, ultimately leading Japan to emerge as a powerful nation in the early 20th century.