Both were island nations and had strong navies.
Both were strong commercially and had many ports and good access to the ocean and trade.
Both England and Japan were island nations because both are surrounded by water. Both had strong navies due to advance in technology.
Both were strong commercially and economically due to production of large number of goods which make their economies very strong. Both countries had many ports and good access to the ocean and trade which make them a strong economic power.
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