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What Sparked the Empire of Japan's Aggression?

6/14/2021

1 Comment

 
by Ray Matsumoto
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​Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 sparked the nearly century-long course of Japan's modernization and militarization. Back then, Japan was an isolationist nation, blocking all international relations except the Dutch and Chinese. But overwhelmed by American navy forces, Japan was pressured into signing the Kanagawa Treaty, ending their 220-year-old isolationist foreign policy. Coupled with the Chinese defeat to Great Britain in the Opium Wars, Japan realized the need for modernization. The aggressive expansionist policy before and during WW2 was fueled by such competition. The Japanese military, and eventually most civilians, saw the West as enemies and Japan as a savior. Japan had to liberate Asia from the Western dominion and establish itself as a world power. This form of nationalism resonated through many, especially after the Great Depression. Let us examine the key factors that caused such sentiments and the aggression of the imperial military. 
Militarism:
The Meiji Restoration saw a westernized form of military, led by British modeled navy and German styled army. After defeating the Satsuma Rebellion, led by Saigo Takamori, the Imperial Military fought against the Qing Dynasty China in the First Sino-Japanese War. They beat the Chinese and gained control of Korea. The Japanese also defeated the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War. It was the first time an Asian nation defeated a western power in the modern era. Japan had fully cemented itself as a nation equal to the West. However, after WW1, anti-military sentiments grew around the world. Intergovernmental organizations, notably the League of Nations, placed arms control agreements to prevent another war. Coupled with the growing influence of the U.S. in Japan, the nation saw a rise in democracy and liberalism. But the Great Depression in 1929 ended these sentiments. Radical military leaders took advantage of the situation to seize control over the civilian leadership. On September 18th of 1931, members of the Kwantung Army (Imperial Army) set off a bomb near Japan's South Manchurian Railroad. Know as the Mukden Incident, the army framed the Chinese and invaded Manchuria. To maintain relations with western nations, Emperor Hirohito opposed further conquest of China. Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi also feared war with the U.S. and denounced the Japanese puppet government of Manchukuo (Manchuria). However, on May 15th of 1932, members of the army assassinated Tsyuyoshi. The incident, rather than causing protests from the public, was met with overwhelming sympathy. The court received a clemency petition by 350,000 people written in blood. The judge pressured by these supporters gave the criminals a light sentence. The incident marked the end of civilian leadership in Japan as the military took over political power until the end of WW2. 


Economy:
Since Japan lacks natural resources, its economy heavily relies on trade. Thus, during the Great Depression, the increased tariffs of countries such as the U.S. and Great Britain crippled the nation. The prosperity it experienced during the Taisho Era was flipped on its head, and suddenly, Japanese people were scrabbling to survive. The resource-poor country turned to Manchuria as a solution. By controlling the land, its resources, and people, Japan could improve its economy. During the Taisho Era, while the country saw a rise in democracy and liberalism, the invasion was unpopular. However, during economic hardship, people became desperate. Contempt toward civilian leadership grew, leading to the rise of military support. The situation grew worse when the U.S. issued embargoes on steel, iron, and oil after the Japanese invasions of Indochina. Since Japan was hesitant about a battle with Russia, after experiencing an embarrassing defeat in the Nomonhan Incident, they turned to Southeast Asia for new territory. However, their decision to wage war on the U.S. and Great Britain led to their downfall. Despite Japan's efforts in the South, mass starvation took place throughout the mainland and occupied countries. 


Ideology:
Ultranationalist ideology began brewing during the Meiji Restoration. As the Imperial Military grew, expansionist and Pan-Asinaist sentiments grew as well. When the Japanese had successfully defeated the Chinese in the First Sino-Japanese War, civilian opinion turned from respect toward the nation to ridicule. Even Elementary School children made fun of the Chinese by calling them cowardly and weak. A similar attitude began to grow concerning the whole of East Asia. Coupled with traditional Shinto beliefs, the Japanese became convinced of their superiority as a nation and human beings. 
Censorship was also implemented during Meiji Restoration to prevent political uprisings. The government regulated all forms of media to present a pro-imperial and military narrative. When activists movements and parties gained popularity, the government either banned or criminalized them, notably the communist party. The education system was also fully controlled by the imperial government. Educators fully instilled Emperor-centered patriotism and xenophobia in every student's head. Lessons on basic military knowledge and combat became requirements, and punishments were inflected on students failing to satisfy their duty. The regulation of education and mass media successfully formed national conformity. Thus, by the time Japan had invaded Manchuria, the general populace held pro-military nationalistic views. Activities and anti-imperial movements existed throughout the war, but it was no match to the overwhelming power of the imperial military. 

Resources:
Ienaga, Saburō. "Part 1 Why Was the War Not Prevented?" 
The Pacific War, 1931-1945: a 
Critical Perspective on Japan's Role in World War II, Translated by Baldwin, Frank, English ed., Pantheon Books, 1978, pp. 3–54.
"Japan's Quest for Power and World War II in Asia." Asia for Educators, Columbia University, 
2021, afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/japan_1900_power.htm. 
Meijer, Isaac, host. "The Emperor's Own Part 1-4" History of Japan, Google Podcasts, March 14th, 2014. http://isaacmeyer.net/?s=the+emperor%27s+own


Photograph:
"WW2 Pacific - Japanese Imperial Army- Archives from Major Shokimi - 1932/42 - Manchuria (China)." Flickr, 10 Feb. 2013, www.flickr.com/photos/39887688@N02/8480521955.


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1 Comment
Kiho Lee
6/23/2021 07:57:35 am

This is very well written. I'm reminded of how important diversity is to our society and how scary cultural hegemony can be. It truly is intriguing to see examples of how an entire nation can be affected by the actions of other nations as well as economic and ideological reasons.

Reply



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  • Home
    • About >
      • FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions
    • Support Us >
      • Projects you can support! >
        • Distributing Books
        • Presenting at 112th Annual Meeting of Pacific Coast Branch
        • Summer Research Relocation Fund
    • Contact
  • Stories
    • Videos >
      • Black Hearts (2021)
    • Blog
    • Podcast: Forgotten History
  • Internship
    • Summer 2023 Internship
    • Fall 2022 Internship
    • Summer 2022 Internship
    • Summer 2021 Internship
    • Fall 2020- Spring 2021 Internship
    • Summer 2020 Internship
    • Fall 2019 Internship
    • Summer 2019 Internship >
      • Public History Night
    • School Year 2018-2019 Internship
    • Summer 2018 Internship >
      • 2018 Summer Showcase + Fundraiser
    • Fall 2017 Internship
    • Summer 2017 Internship >
      • 2017 Summer Showcase & Fundraiser
  • Books
  • Archives
  • Resource Page
    • Supplementary Research Guides >
      • Unit 731 - Guide >
        • Background of Biochemical Warfare Development
        • Imperial Japan's Chemical Warfare Development Program
        • Map of Unit 731
        • Personnel of Unit 731
        • Duties of Unit 731
        • Human Experimentation
        • [GRAPHIC] Germ Warfare Attacks
        • Cover Ups After the War
        • [OLD] Cover Ups After the War
      • Philippines' Resistance - Guide >
        • Philippines World War II Timeline
        • The Japanese Invasion & Conquest of the Philippines
        • Bataan Death March
        • Formation of Underground Philippines Resistance
        • Supplies of the Guerrilla Fighters
        • The Hukbalahap
        • Hunter's ROTC
        • Marking's Guerrillas
        • United States Army Forces in the Philippines of Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL)
        • The Aetas
        • Chinese and Filipino-Chinese Nationalist Guerrilla Units
        • The Female Faces of the Philippine Guerrillas
      • Rising Sun Flag - Guide >
        • History of the Rising Sun Flag
        • Atrocities Committed Under the Flag
        • Rising Sun Flag in Pop Culture
      • Pinay Guerrilleras - Guide >
        • Japanese Occupation of the Philippine Islands: Pinays Answering the Call to Arms
        • The Fierce Heneralas and Kumanders of the Hukbalahap Guerrillas
        • Amazons of the Pacific Theater
        • Filipina American Veterans: Recovering the Extraordinary Feats of the Ordinary Pinays
        • The Legacy of the Asian Women Soldier
      • Fall of Singapore - Guide >
        • Singapore World War II Timeline
        • History of World War II in the Pacific
        • History of Singapore
        • Japan's Conquest in Asia
        • Japan's Invasion of the Malay Peninsula
        • Sook Ching Massacre
        • Double Tenth Incident
        • Social Changes and Challenges in Singapore
        • Voices from Syonan
        • Return to British Rule
      • Three Years and Eight Months - Guide >
        • Hong Kong before WW2
        • Buildup to World War 2
        • The Battle of Hong Kong
        • Life during 3 Years and 8 Months
        • East River Column Guerrilla Fighters
        • Prisoners of War Camps
        • End of Japanese Occupation
        • War Crimes Trials
      • Siamese Sovereignty - Guide >
        • The Land of Smiles
        • The Thai-Japanese Relationship
        • Phibun’s Domestic and International Policies
        • The Free Thai Resistance Movement
        • Post WW2 Aftermath of Thailand
      • The Khabarovsk War Crimes Trial - Guide >
        • Defendants of Khabarovsk War Crime
        • The Japanese Empire and USSR in WW2
        • The Employment of the Bacteriological Weapon in the War
        • Planning of Japan invasion to USSR
      • Unit 731 Cover-up : The Operation Paperclip of the East - Guide >
        • Establishing Manchukuo
        • The Development of Unit 731
        • Plan Kantokuen and Bacteriological Warfare
        • The Downfall of the Japanese WW2 Era
        • Three Stages of Interrogations
        • Lasting Impacts
      • Marutas of Unit 731 - Guide >
        • How did Ishii Shiro start unit 731?
        • A Beta Testing Site
        • Establishing Pingfan
        • Experiences at the Human Experimentation Complex
        • Vivisection at the Unit 731
        • Anta Testing Grounds
        • Overall Advance from the Laboratory Creations
        • The End of the War
      • Prince Konoe Memoir - Guide >
        • Who is Prince Konoe?
        • Preparation to Tripartite Pact
        • Emperor Hirohito and Prince Konoe
        • The End of Prince Konoe
      • Competing Empires in Burma - Guide >
        • What was the China-Burma-India Theater?
        • When did the China-Burma-India Theater Happen?
        • Who Fought in the China-Burma-India Theater?
        • The Second Sino Japanese War
        • Japan in the South
        • Operation U-Go
      • Battle of Shanghai - Guide >
        • The Battle of Shanghai. Background
        • Shanghai Before War
        • The First Battle of Shanghai 1932
        • Battle of Shanghai 1937
        • Aftermath of Battle for Shanghai
      • Ishi Shiro - Guide >
        • History of Biological Weapons and The Young Ishii Shiro
        • Establishment in Manchuria
        • Pingfang District - Harbin
        • Failures and Corruption
        • Post War
      • Taiwan The Israel of the East - Guide >
        • Background of Formosa
        • Industrialization of Japan
        • China During WWII
        • Taiwan under Kuomintang
        • New Taiwanese National Identity
      • Seeking Justice for Biological Warfare Victims of Unit 731 - Guide >
        • Introduction of Wang Xuan
        • Colonel Memorandum
        • The Beginning of Biological Warfare
        • The Bacteriological Warfare on China
        • Victims in Zhejiang’s Testimonies
        • After the War
      • Rice and Revolution - Guide >
        • The French Colonial Period
        • Anti-Colonial Resistance
        • The Rise of the Communist Movement
        • Imperial Japan’s Entry into Indochina
        • The Portents of Famine
        • The Famine (1944-45)
        • Legacy of the 1944-45 Vietnam Famine
      • Clash of Empires - Guide >
        • Japan’s Imperialist Origins
        • Japan’s Competition against the West: Nanshin-ron and Hokushin-ron
        • Japanese Imperialism Through the Lens of French Indochina
        • The U.S.-Japan Relations and the Pearl Harbor Attack
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Reparations
      • Ethics in Science
      • Writing the Narrative of a Pinay Fighter
      • Privilege Journal
      • Environmental Injustices
      • Female Guerrillas
      • Hunter's ROTC
      • Scientific Advancements
      • Seeking Justice: A Humanities Lesson Plan
      • The Hukbalahap
      • Trading Immunity
      • Bataan Death March
      • Biochemical Warfare Development
Contribute