structurally

"Japan is not Confucian."
At that time、such images by foreigners may have been strong.
　
Meiji period of Japan in particular.
(after the Restoration.)
Japan was aiming earnestly Western modernization.
　
But an important driving force of the Restoration at first place.
It might be Confucianism.
　
Highest educational institution of Japan at Tokugawa era.
It was a school of Confucianism called "Shōhei-kō".　(昌平黌)
There was also Confucius Temple of course.

However，its situation is little different from Asia continent.　
Yes，Japan was the island nation in the marine transport status at that time.
Japan was a situation that is not subject to direct effect.

And Japan of Tokugawa era had taken the closed-door policy.
(Trade with China was done in only Nagasaki.)
And Japan did not adopt the imperial examinations.


・・・・・・・・・

　
Japan has not adopted originally imperial examination since the days of dynasty.
Because the power of the nobles was strong.
　
And Samurai regime was born from the 13th century.
So-called ”Shogunate politics”.　　
　
"Emperor of authority.
Shogun (Samurai king) of real power."
　
Power of Japan was dichotomized at that time.
(Of course from earlier，kingmaker in the interior of the dynasty was present.)
　
"Shogun is doing the politics of Japan who is delegated to the emperor."
And there was a public position like this.
　
Literal translation of "Shogun" is "General".（将軍）
And their government called "Bakufu". (幕府)
　
Of course these are originally Chinese language.
　
Headquarters of General during road trip.
It called Bakufu in ancient China.
Shogun was carried out operational command of war in this bakufu.
　
In other words, it was such a public position.
　
Imperial examination was a test to choose the officials for the emperor only.
Therefore loyalty to the emperor was important there.
This leads to a denial of the power of Shogun.

There was impossible the introduction of the imperial examination structurally.