Abstract
There are different opinions on the dating of Japanese modern history between Chinese and Japanese historians at different times, so that the constructed systems of Japanese modern history have different features. Scholars of both countries have dated it according to system transition, not simply on social morphology. They have all modified and developed the traditional dating methods. By a comparative analysis of the literatures this article tries to argue: Firstly, the beginning date of modern history should be determined by the economic and political system. With different opinions, historians certainly hold different opinions on it. Secondly, there exist interactions in the historical development; therefore, national history is closely connected with the world history. They should have matching or approaching points; however, it is normal for the time difference between world history and national history, because a nation is specific in its history and condition, and is affected by outside strengths with different pace and distances. Thirdly, the five social patterns are based on productive relations; meanwhile, productive forces are the basis of the modernization theory with a point of one-way development from agriculture society to industrial society. In the historical division and periodization, the relationship between productive relations and productive forces is not incompatible. They should be cross-referenced and inclusive.