why did japan view industrialization as a way to prevent itself from being invaded by western powers

Japan saw the industrialization as a prevention from being invaded because the industrialization was able to provide it with economic, military, and political strength.

Japan's industrialization was rapid. It led to a very quick economic grow in the country, making a leading economic and political power in the region. Also, the industrialization and its economic benefits made it possible that Japan can invest heavily in the modernization of its army, and so it did. By making a large, well trained, and well equipped military forces Japan secured itself from a foreign invasion, instead the nation become the invader and started conquering new territories.