How does the history of Asia's isolationist policy affect it today?

I have a history question that I'm struggling with - China, Korea, and Japan once limited its contact with western traders, and the question is how does doing that then still affect it today? I can see that it might help preserve Asian culture, but now that obviously they are in contact with the whole world, I can't really seem to find a way the history would affect it today. Anyone care to help? Thanks in advance!