During the mid-1850s the United States opened feudal Japan to trade with the Western world. From its earliest awakening to the international community Japan rapidly industrialised and began to exert influence beyond its own borders. In less than a century, Japanese leaders began to perceive their culture and people as preeminent on the continent of Asia as well as across the vast Pacific rim.
By the early 20th century, Japan had emerged as an Asian power with global reach, shocking the world with its defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. Japan later joined the Allies in World War I, receiving post-conflict League of Nations authorisation to administer former German colonies in the Pacific, as well as having ruled Korea by mandate since 1910.
The road to war in the Pacific was virtually inevitable from a Japanese perspective. By the late-1920s, a rise of militarism in the country had coincided with the recognition of an opportunity to extend its influence, subjugate other Asian peoples, and exploit the resources that were required to perpetuate and protect Japanese interests beyond the confines of its borders. Japan embarked on a programme of military expansion, building a navy comparable in several respects to those of the United States and Great Britain, while reluctantly (and temporarily) acquiescing to treaty limitations on the strength, number and type of warships constructed. During this period Japan also augmented its land armies and air power.
This story is from the Issue 104, 2022 edition of History of War.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 104, 2022 edition of History of War.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE IRA'S WAR IN COUNTY TYRONE
The IRA's East Tyrone Brigade was one of its deadliest units. This is the inside story of how one of its attacks triggered a retaliatory ambush by the SAS
'HATRED IS NOT THE WAY'
Speaking to mark the publication of his new memoir, Ivor Perl describes how he survived both Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps during the Holocaust
JOHNSON BEHARRY
Two acts of valour from this young private saved the lives of his comrades in the narrow streets of Al Amarah, Iraq
SUPER SPREADERS IN THE TRENCHES
During the latter period of WWI, infection and disease were a universal enemy on both sides of no man’s land. Vaccination and prevention methods became essential for survival, never mind victory, on the frontline
PROKHOROVKA AND THE FIGHT FOR HILL 252.2
The Battle of Prokhorovka, on 12 July 1943, was the culmination point of the southern pincer of Operation Citadel. The Soviets ultimately emerged victorious, despite suffering extremely heavy losses to their armour. Here, Dr Ben Wheatley recounts the struggle for one critical position during the battle: Hill 252.2
AIR BATTLE FOR KURSK
On the eve of Operation Citadel, the Red Air Force sought to pre-empt the attack by smashing the Luftwaffe. The risky spoiling operation failed spectacularly
ITALIANS IN THE EAST
Reeling from his setbacks in North Africa, and eager to prove his forces’ worth against the communist foe, Il Duce sent a large expeditionary force to join the Nazi invasion of the USSR
SHOWDOWN IN THE DESERT
The Italian campaigns in Africa sought to end British rule over Egypt and control of the Suez Canal, strengthening Mussolini’s dominance over the Mediterranean
CORPO TRUPPE VOLONTARIE
During the Spanish Civil War, tens of thousands of Italian soldiers fought in Spain to support the fascist Nationalist forces of Francisco Franco
STRIKE AT AFRICA
Mussolini envisaged building an empire to rival Ancient Rome. Once he’d established his grip on Italy, he set his sights on Abyssinia as the place to begin