Abstract: Despite that the Meiji restoration ideas held by Huang Zunxian, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, the representatives of reformists in late Qing Dynasty, had their own characteristics, they also shared some similarities. They all concluded the reasons leading to the success of Meiji restoration as the heroic spirit of the heroes and emphasized that the Japanese heroic spirit was rooted in sinology. What they saw was the similarities between Chinese and Japanese culture, especially some aspects in which China was superior to Japan. Therefore, they were confident about emulating and studying Japanese system and language. This kind of “seeking common grounds in differences” idea hindered the further and indepth study on Japanese culture, and also resulted in the phenomenon which looks similar but quite different in the process of learning from Japan. The research on Japan today shall keep emphasizing on “seeking differences in common” with the study principle of “learning sincerely and studying well”. Only this way, can the level of Japan study be promoted.

Key words: Reformists in Late Qing Dynasty, Meiji Restoration, seeking common grounds in differences, seeking differences in common