Japan in the Inter war period
Domestically-Rise of Militarism
Definition of militarism
-territorial expansion achieved by armed force
-the control of government by a group of
militarists who
Have unlimited power to control people at
home and to expand abroad.
-Dark Valley 1932-45
-liberal thinking and personal freedom
were effectively curbed.
There were unchecked aggression
abroad and internal conflicts
At home.
Features of Japanese militarism
1. Extreme nationalism
-the use of force to solve the problems
2. Emphasis on loyalty and obedience
-to the superiors and the emperor
-even sacrificed their lives
3. Anti communism
-communism (equality) endangered
Japan’s unity.
4. Promotion of foreign expansion
-to maintain her military power.
-to gain natural resources
5. Pan Asianism
-Japanese the best of all Asians
-duty to fight against the west and liberate
them from the west.
-”Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”
1. Militaristic tradition
-traditional respect of men of sword.
-strong tradition of unquestioned obedience to authority.
-spirit of Bushido
-“Might is Right”
-Meiji Constitution gave autonomy to the armed force,
-The army and navy had the right of direct access to the
emperor
-Victories in the wars
-Successful modernizations
-Emperor in the highest position
-Growth of ultra nationalism
2. Shortcoming of the democratic government
1918-32
The first commoner prime minister
Hara Kei in 1918
-the beginning of democracy/party rule
-universal suffrage in 1925
-ended when liberal prime minister
Inukai was assassinated in 1932.
Why was democracy so appealing to Japanese?
1. The victory of democratic allies in the WWI
2. The declining influence of Genro
3. Financial support given by Zaibatsu and
Landowners
Political vacuum
4. Emperor Taisho had brain disease.
5. Genros who had supported the emperor
Had died
a. disunity within the parties
-their origins in protest against Meiji oligarchy hard to
Have positive measures in Taisho Period.
-bargains made with powerful interests outside the Diet
 Tended to be vote winning and fund raising
-all decisions made behind the scene
-mutual accusation of the parties against each other
b. Corruption in the party government
-two parties-Seiyukai and Kenseikai/ Minseito
-Link with Zaibatsu –business backing
was unstable out of their self interest
-> people despised the parties for its corruption
c,.Party government did not enjoy mass support
-disunities and corruption
-failed to cultivate the roots of liberalism and democracy
-peasants were discontented with party businessmen
 Gave the militarists support
d. Economic failures in 1920s
-1927, Bank Crisis led to the collapse of many
small enterprises
-1929, Depression led to 50% drop in export
trade and 3 million
Unemployment
e. Weak stand of party government in foreign
affairs
-weak kneed diplomacy
a. reduction in size of the armed force
b. Shidehara’s policy of improving relations
with China
c. Unhappy with the 1930 London Naval
Disarmament Conference
3. To satisfy internal economic needs
•Lack of food
•Lack of natural resources, e.g. oil, coal
•Lack of capital to buy resources
•Hampered by US economic
Protectionism Japanese export dropped
4. Western discrimination against Japan
a.Paris Peace Conference
-refused to put clause of “Racial
Equality” into the Constitution of the League.
-condemned the invasion of Shandong
b.Washington Conference
-Japan returned Shandong
-Her tonnage of capital ships were limited.
c.Exclusion Act 1924
-banned Japanese immigration
d.London Conference 1930
-limited the ratio of cruisers between Britain
Japan and the US
5. Impact of totalitarianism in Europe/
Favourable conditions
a. Great Depression
b. Totalitarianism in Europe-Italy, Germany
c. Unity with China after the Northern
Expedition 1928
a. Opposition of Zhang Xueliang
b. Revival of Russian power
Rise of Fascism in Japan
-right wing and the military force increased
In power.
-Such political ideology was called “Imperial
Fascism”- “anti-power”, “anti-capital”
And “rescuing villages”, “remaking”
“reformation”— “Showa Modernization”
-After Feb 26th Incident,
“National Principals Faction” finally
Acquired the leadership.
-1936, withdrew from London Conference
-1936, anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
And Italy
-1938, “New East Order in Asia”
-1940, “Great East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere”
The beginning of wartime political
System
-Lugouqiao Incident July 7 1937
-Bill of General Mobilization
Sharp increase in army spending [90% of
National budget in 1944]
-dissolved all political parties and the
Imperial Rule Assistance Association was
Set up in 1940.
-residents were assigned to “neighbouring
Groups” while workers to “Association of
Contributing to the Country”.
-high concentration of power in one person
Impact of militarism on Japan
1. Birth of extreme nationalists
-Kita Ikki: “An Outline Plan for the
Reconstruction of Japan” in 1919
-Tanaka Memorial to emperor in 1927
(Manchuria-China-Asia-World)
2. Emergence of militaristic organization
-Black Dragon Society 1901
-Cherry Blossom Society
-Blood Brotherhood League (assassinations
& military coups)
-reservist associations to indoctrinate
young boys with ideas (loyalty, obedience)
3. Mutinies and coups
-May 15 incident 1932
February 26 incident of 1936
4. Japanese politics under military
dictatorial control
-Diet became a rubber stamp
5. Japanese society dominated by the
military
6. Breaking up with western democratic
societies
-Anti Comintern Pact 1936
-Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis 1939
Impact of Japanese militarism on Asia
1. Long time invasion of China
a. Invasion of Manchuria and North
China (1931-6)
b. Sino Japanese War (1937-45)
Accelerating the Invasion of China
Why China?
1. Jiang’s northern expedition 1928
2. Tanaka Memorial-conquer China first
And use her as a base from which to invade
The world.
3. Rich resources in Manchuria
-1931, Manchurian Crisis [918 Incident]
-1932, Manzhouguo was set up
-1932, May 15th Incident-Inukai was
Murdered by young rebels.  ended the
Party rule and great progress of militarism.
-1932, Takahashi’s progressive financial
Policy-expanding armaments and military
Production-focused on heavy and military
Industry
-1933, Japan withdrew from League and
Occupied north-eastern part of China.
2. Initiation of the Pacific War and
invasion of SE Asia
-isolated China to cut off military
back up from Indochina
-natural resources, e.g. tin, oil
-Attack on Pearl Harbour
Entry into the WWII
-1941 Dec 7, attack on Pearl Harbour
brought the US into the war.
-dropping of atomic bombs on 6, 9 Aug 1945.
-Japan surrendered on 15 Aug 1945
END