1. JAPANESE EXPANSION IN CHINA 1931 - 37

2. 3 Reasons
Social Reasons
Economic Reasons
Political Reasons

3. Social Reasons Rapid growth of Japan’s population
1900 : 45 million
1930 : 64 million
Intense pressure on agricultural sector which could not supply Japan’s needs
Food had to be imported
Pressure on Japan’s limited land
Much of Japan is mountainous and unsuitable for settlement
New territories overseas would solve this problem by providing homes and jobs

4. Economic Reasons Internal economic problems of 1920s
The Great Depression in the early 1930s
NB : All other explanations for economic reasons derive from these two main factors

5. Economic Reasons Internal economic problems of 1920s
Japan experienced trade boom because of WWI
But by 1921, Europe began to recover its lost markets
Signalled the start of Japan’s economic problems
Unemployment and industrial unrest increased
Farmers badly affected by falling price of rice
Then came the Great Depression (GD)

6. Economic Reasons The GD – severe impact on the economy
Japan’s exports shrank disastrously
Exports of manufactured goods dropped by 2/3
Japan’s two main exports : raw silk and cotton goods
Most of the silk went to USA
GD – reduced demand pushed prices down
By 1932 – price of raw silk had fallen to less than 20% of the 1923 price

7. Economic Reasons
About ½ of Jap farmers relied on production of raw silk and rice for their livelihood
Situation created widespread poverty
Drop in world trade in 1930s  Countries had less $ to buy imported goods
Japan  earn less  unable to buy the imported food needed to feed its growing population

8. Economic Reasons Japan’s industries badly affected
Japan had few natural resources and raw materials
Thus its industries depended heavily on imported materials such as iron, tin, cotton, rubber and oil
With declining income from exports, Jap industries could not afford to buy these materials
One possible solution  With its own overseas empire, easier and cheaper to supply Jap industries with raw materials

9. Economic Reasons More difficult to export its products in the GD
USA and other countries solve their own economic problems by imposing tariffs or taxes on foreign imports  protect their own industries
Worsened Japan’s economic problems
Forced Japan to look for markets elsewhere
The 2 main factors had an important political impact
People unhappy with democratic government
Looked to the military for possible solutions to Japan’s economic problems

10. MANCHURIA

11. Economic Reasons MANCHURIA
 had many valuable resources which Japan needed
Forestry & minerals (oil, iron, coal and aluminium)
It also had space
3 times the size of Japan
28 million people
Lots of land for new settlers

12. Economic Reasons Alternative market for Japanese exports
Japan already had substantial economic interests there
Controlled the most important mines, ports, factories and railways
Jap interests protected by a large army, the Kwantung army, stationed in southern Manchuria
Acquisition of Manchuria would solve Japan’s severe economic and social problems!!

13. Economic Reasons
The attractiveness of the land does not arise from the scarcity of the population alone; its wealth of forestry, minerals and agricultural products is also unrivalled elsewhere in the world.
An extract from a letter written by PM Tanaka to Emperor Hirohito in 1927

14. EMPEROR HIROHITO

15. Political Reasons 1920’s – Japan isolated itself from WWI allies
Many Japs believed it to be in Japan’s best interests to build an empire in East Asia than to stay on good terms with the rest of the world

16. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons The Peace Settlement after WWI
The Washington Naval Conference,
The USA’s Immigration Policies
The USA’s Economic Policies
Growing Dissatisfaction with the Japanese Government

17. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
1. THE PEACE SETTLEMENT AFTER WWI
Japan disappointed with some aspects of the peace settlements despite getting the Liaotong Peninsula
Asked that the Covenant (Agreement) of the new League of Nations include a statement to declare all races in the world equal
Eventually not included because of Europeans’ superiority complex

18. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE
Called by US to reduce naval arms and ease tension in the Far East
Felt threatened by Japan’s growing power and influence in China
Main agreement limited the size of the navies in the Pacific (no of ships)
US : Britain : Japan  5 : 5 : 3
The powers also agreed not to build any more ships for 10 years

19. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
2. THE WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE
Conference meant to improve relations between Japan and US
Instead, it made things worse
Japan felt it was treated as a second-rate power
Nationalists, especially military felt that Japan’s honour had been betrayed by the agreement
Govt signed agreement very reluctantly – however, it was still blamed for this disgrace

20. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Many Japs migrated to US
3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
Many Japs migrated to US
Shortage of land
Rising population
At first, US accepted them freely
Early 20th C  US Govt concerned at the level of immigration
Started to put some restrictions

21. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
3. THE USA’s IMMIGRATION POLICIES
1922  Supreme Court ruled that only Japanese born in the US could become citizens
1924  USA immigration policy changed to exclude all Orientals, including japanese
Japs felt insulted by this discrimination
Meant that those with relatives who migrated earlier to the US could no longer join them there

22. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
4. THE USA’s ECONOMIC POLICIES
USA and other countries imposed tariffs on imports in 1920s and 1930s
Result  Japan did less and less trade with US
More isolated from the US as it was less necessary to maintain good relations with the US Govt
Japan also began to look for other markets for its goods

23. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
1920’s  Democratic government not seen to be successful for a few reasons
It did not solve Japan’s economic and social problems
Farmers and workers tried to organize a political party  ruthlessly put down by police
GD  caused farmers and workers to resent the govt even more
Blamed for wide-spread poverty and other economic problems

24. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons
5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
2. Democracy was not popular with the army
Govt seen as weak and ineffective
Evidence : Baron Shidehara, Foreign Minister from 1924 to 27
Advocated peaceful economic expansion policy in China
Tried to gain more trading privileges through a policy of friendship with China
Army’s view  policy too soft on the Chinese
Not the right way to strengthen Japan’s economic hold over China
Saw such policies as weakening Japan’s position

25. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Democracy was not popular with the army
5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
Democracy was not popular with the army
Army’s solution to solve Japan’s problem  An aggressive foreign policy using the armed forces to build up an overseas empire and make Japan strong and powerful
Another aspect of militarism
Army felt that govt had betrayed Japan in its dealings with foreign powers
Evidence : The Washington Naval Conference humiliating and showed disregard for Japan’s national security

26. Political Reasons FIVE Reasons Democracy was not popular with the army
5. GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
Democracy was not popular with the army
Most army recruits were peasants who suffered in the 1920s
Rank-and-file as well as officers disgusted with the weak democratic government
Army’s discontent with the govt was a direct cause of the Mukden Incident
Led to Japan seizing control of Manchuria in

27. From the histerical notes of
the Ancient Library of
Copyright reserved 2001