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Empire of JapanThe Empire of Great Japan , known as the Empire of Japan, Imperial Japan, or Japanese Empire, was Japan from November 9, 1867 to September 2, 1945 during World War I and World War II with the Constitution of the Empire of Japan under Emperor Hirohito .
Politically, it covers the on November 9, 1867, or the on July 14, 1871, through the expansion of Japan from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean during rapid industrialization and militarization of Japan that it became a world power, up until the formal surrender in September 2, 1945, when the Instrument of Surrender was signed immediately after atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States.
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Dai Nippon Teikoku
Empire of Great Japan
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Imperial Japan after its territorial acquisitions during World War II.
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|Official language || Japanese
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|Capital || Tokyo
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|Area || 7.4 million square km
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|Population ||
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|Government || Absolute Monarchy before 1889, constitutional monarchy after 1889 tending towards military dictatorship after c. 1930.
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|Emperor and Head of Government||
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| Predecessor || Tokugawa shogunate
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|Creation ||
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|Regime change ||
- September 2, 1945, with the surrender of WWII
- May 3, 1947, with the amended to the New Constitution
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| Succeeding Regime || Japan
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|Currency || Yen, Japanese military yen
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| National anthem || Kimi ga yo
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| National motto || National Wealth and Military Strength.
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The Empire of Great Japan , known as the Empire of Japan, Imperial Japan, or Japanese Empire, was Japan from November 9, 1867 to September 2, 1945 during World War I and World War II with the Constitution of the Empire of Japan under Emperor Hirohito .
Politically, it covers the on November 9, 1867, or the on July 14, 1871, through the expansion of Japan from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean during rapid industrialization and militarization of Japan that it became a world power, up until the formal surrender in September 2, 1945, when the Instrument of Surrender was signed immediately after atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States.
It was a signatory member of the Tripartite Pact between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy as part of the Axis Powers of the Second World War that was fought against the Allies.
Background and terminologyConstitutionally, it refers to the period of November 29, 1890, to May 3, 1947 under the 1889 Constitution of the Empire of Japan that was promulgated as part of massive political reforms after the Meiji Restoration with restoration of power to the Emperor as head of state and head of government from Tokugawa shogunate. In terms of realpolitik, however, the empire is best understood as existing from 1871 when the Meiji government first turned its attention to Japan's borders until the promulgation of the American authored post-war constitution in May, 1947. It covers the eras that are known as the Meiji period , the Taisho period , and the first 21 years of the Showa period under Emperor Hirohito.
The Japanese Empire and Imperial Japan are commonly known and used, referring to the same entity, though the literal translation of the title in Japanese is the Empire of Great Japan. It was a major Axis Power and a key ally of Nazi Germany's aggressive global policies. Emperor Hirohito was the Emperor of Japan during this period of Japanese history, though the emperor took on the role of a constitutional monarch after Japan's defeat in World War II. Japan's main military branches were the Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy and both were considered one of the most powerful in the world prior to the Second World War. During this period in Japan, there was rapid industrialization and increase of military resources. One example is the nationalized navy that was able to defeat both Russia and China in territorial wars. After this rapid industralization before the 1940s, Japan adopted a policy of outward expansion to acquire foreign colonies and resources, eyeing China, Korea and Southeast Asia.
The country had been called the Empire of Japan since the feudal anti-shogunate domains, Satsuma and Choshu, formed the base of their new government during the Meiji Restoration, with the intention of making it an empire.
HistoryThe founding of Empire of Japan has its roots in the Meiji Restoration, a political movement with whole restructuring of politics of Japan. During this time Togukawa shogunate was in full control of the Japanese island. During the Togukawa era, Japan was officially closed from the outside world that resulted in the development and flourishing of the Japanese culture and arts. During these times Western powers were increasingly becoming powerful militarily and economically with colonies in many different parts of the world, that includes the control of Southeast Asian nations by the US, UK, Germany, and Netherlands. Because of powerful military and influence, Japan was for the first time officially had to bow down to the United States with the Convention of Kanagawa, a gun boat based diplomacy for the purpose of putting unequal trade between Japan and the United States with the benefit to the US. With the realization of weakness among the people of Japan and the revolutionaries, along with writers such as Fukuzawa Yukichi, Japan learned and planned to become a powerful country, so that it can be independent and powerful similar to many Western powers. This led to the Meiji Restoration of frantic, aggressive and fast industrialization by sending envoys, students and observers to Western nations by Japan to build a powerful country. Eventually military was seen as the only tool for the prosperity and stability of Japan from Western powers and their military and the use of it to colonize other countries in east and southeast Asia. Japan had consulted with many European leader, especially the Chancellor of Germany at the time that suggested, if country was to become independent and powerful, it needs to have a powerful military. Meiji Restoration can also be described as a revolution.
InfluencesProminent writers such as Fukuzawa Yukichi were instrumental in encouraging Japan to practice realpolitik and embrace change strictly based on practical needs without sentimental and ideological consideration. Fukuzawa encouraged Japanese people to compete with other Western countries using Westernization, stating that any civilization is dependent on time and circumstance and should adapt as necessary when the times change and when there are more benefits to be gained. Fukuzawa wrote that "Civilization is like the measles. It's better than measles that it can bring interests." He also advocated people of Japan to "taste the fruits of civilization," that is Western and therefore embrace change. His philosophy also advocated individualism, education, and self-strength.
Politics
Constitution
Text to the
Imperial Japan was founded after the 1889 signing of Constitution of the Empire of Japan that formalized many of the political structure of Imperial Japan and gave many responsibilities and control to the Emperor.
Although it was in the 1889 Constitution of the Empire of Japan that the title Empire of Japan was officially used for the first time, it was not until 1936 that the proper official title of the country was legalized. Meanwhile, the names "Nippon" , "Dai-Nippon" , "Dai-Nippon/-Nihon Koku" , "Nihon Teikoku" were all used officially.
In 1946, a year after the close of the war, Japan was restructured, and the country's title was once again revised, to “The State of Japan” in the draft in the 1946 Constitution of Japan.
Economy
Before World War II, Japan built an extensive empire that included Taiwan, Korea, Manchuria, and parts of northern China. The Japanese regarded this sphere of influence as a political and economic necessity, preventing foreign states from strangling Japan by blocking its access to raw materials and crucial sea-lanes. Japan's large military force was regarded as essential to the empire's defense and prosperity through obtaining natural resources since Japan has very little natural resources to sustain growth.
Rapid growth and structural change characterized Japan's two periods of economic development since 1868. In the first period, the economy grew only moderately at first and relied heavily on traditional agriculture to finance modern industrial infrastructure. By the time the Russo-Japanese War began in 1904, 65% of employment and 38% of the gross domestic product was still based on agriculture, but modern industry had begun to expand substantially. By the late 1920s, manufacturing and mining contributed 23% of GDP, compared with 21% for all of agriculture. Transportation and communications had developed to sustain heavy industrial development.
Militarization of Japan's politics and economic policiesAt same time, the capitalist groups or zaibatsu could see themselves as the Krupps of the future. Raw materials were a major concern. Fumimaro Konoye synthesised pressing social concerns, and the needs of capital, as a planned expansionist mission.
The seeds of World War Two which were long in germinating were planted in the mid 19th century. In hindsight, the reasons for the war were largely economic. The seizure or protection of spheres of influence, the maintenance of territorial integrity, the acquisition of raw materials as well as Asian markets for the commercial opportunities they presented were all reasons which would eventually account for so much loss of life and national treasure.
Western nations, notably Great Britain, France, and the United States, had for more than one hundred years prior to the outbreak of hostilities exhibited great interest in the commercial opportunities in China and other parts of Asia. These opportunities had attracted Western investment for the exploitation of raw materials for the manufacture of products not only for domestic consumption but for export of finished goods back to the Orient
These opportunities were eyed covetously by Japan through what was to become known as the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.
Once outright war was joined, the Domei Tsushin Press Agency would celebrate the quality of Japan's armaments. Mitsubishi and the others had taken the measure of the "white barbarians".
Araki Sadao was an important figurehead and founder of the Army party and he was the most important right-wing thinker in that time; his first ideological works date from his leadership of the Kodaha , opposed by the Toseiha led by General Kazushige Ugaki. He linked the ancient and contemporary local and European fascist ideals , to form the ideological basis of the movement .
From September 1932, the Japanese were becoming more locked into the course that would lead them into the Second World War and Araki was leading the way. Totalitarianism, militarism and expansionism were to become the rule and fewer voices would be able even to speak against it. In a September 23 news conference Araki first mentioned the philosophy of "Kodoha" . The concept of Kodo linked the Emperor, the people, land and morality as one and indivisible. This led to the creation of a "new" Shinto and increased Emperor worship.
The state was being transformed into a creation that served the Army and the Emperor, while the Army transformed into a fanatical force. Symbolically katana sword came back into fashion as the martial embodiment of these beliefs, and the Nambu pistol became its contemporary equivalent, with the implicit message that the Army doctrine of close combat would prevail.
The final objective envisioned by Army thinkers and right-wing line followers, was a return to the old Shogunate system, but in the form of a contemporary Military Shogunate. In such a government the Emperor would once more be a figurehead . Real power would fall to a leader, in fact very similar to a Führer or Duce, though with the power less nakedly held. On the other hand, the Navy militarists was traditionalist, defended the Emperor and a monarchial constitution. For them the religious aspect was significant.
When militarist political clique take the power by democratic elections during 1941,run tu putting in practice your ideals and plans derived from your political doctrines in Central civil government policies, centralised economy and industry amongst social and culture of Japanese society in period.
Pre-World War I conflicts
First Sino-Japanese War
Prior to its engagement in the First World War, the Empire of Japan fought in two significant wars after its establishment following the Meiji Revolution. The first was the First Sino-Japanese War, fought between 1894 and 1895. The war revolved around the issue of control and influence over the Kingdom of Korea under the rule of the Joseon Dynasty. A peasant rebellion led to a request by the Korean government for China to send troops in to stabilize the region. The Empire of Japan responded by sending their own force to Korea and installing a puppet government in Seoul. China objected and war ensued. In a brief affair with Japanese ground troops routing Chinese forces on the Liaodong Peninsula, and the near destruction of the Chinese navy in the Battle of the Yalu River. China was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ceded parts of Manchuria and the island of Formosa to Japan . It also established Japanese supremacy over China for the next fifty years.
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was a conflict for control of Korea and parts of Manchuria by the Russian Empire and Empire of Japan that took place from 1904 to 1905. The war is significant as the first modern war where an Asian country defeated a European power and greatly raised Japan's measure in the world of global politics. The war is marked by the Japanese rebuff of Russian interests in Korea, Manchuria, and China. Notably, the Liaodong Peninsula, controlled by the city of Port Arthur. Originally, in the Treaty of Shimonseki, Port Author had been given over to Japan. This part of the treaty was over ruled by Western powers, which in turn gave the port to the Russian Empire, furthering Russian interests in the region. These interests came into conflict with Japanese interests. The war began with a surprise attack on the Russian Eastern fleet stationed at Port Arthur, which was followed by the Battle of Port Arthur. Those elements that attempted escape were defeated by the Japanese navy under Admiral Togo Heihachiro at the Battle of the Yellow Sea. A year later, the Russian Baltic fleet arrived only to be annihilated in the Battle of Tsushima. While the ground war did not fair as poorly for the Russians, the Japanese army was significantly more aggressive than their Russian counter-parts and gained a political advantage that accumulated with the Treaty of Portsmouth negotiated in the United States by the American president Theodore Roosevelt. As a result, Russia lost half of Sakhalin Island, as well as many mineral rights to Manchuria.
Participation in World War I
Japan entered World War I in 1914, seizing the opportunity of Germany's distraction with the European War and wanting to expand its sphere of influence in China. Japan declared war on Germany in August 23, 1914 and quickly occupied German-leased territories in China's Shandong Province and the Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands in the Pacific . The Battle of Tsingtao, a swift invasion in the German colony of Jiaozhou proved successful and the colonial troops surrendered on November 7 1914.
With Japan's Western allies, notably the United Kingdom, heavily involved in the war in Europe, it sought further to consolidate its position in China by presenting the Twenty-One Demands to China in January 1915. Besides expanding its control over the German holdings, Manchuria, and Inner Mongolia, Japan also sought joint ownership of a major mining and metallurgical complex in central China, prohibitions on China's ceding or leasing any coastal areas to a third power, and miscellaneous other political, economic, and military controls, which, if achieved, would have reduced China to a Japanese protectorate. In the face of slow negotiations with the Chinese government, widespread anti-Japanese sentiments in China, and international condemnation, Japan withdrew the final group of demands, and treaties were signed in May 1915
Participation in World War II
Imperial Japan allied with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy militarily and had similar goals in their respective world regions with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy's expansion in Europe and Imperial Japan's expansion in Asia. This alliance was created to increase their military powers and cooperation in relation to other nations and was known as the Axis alliance.
After the unequal treaties were cancelled and as Imperial Japan got increasingly powerful militarily and started contesting territories of other nations such as China, Russia the Allies, especially United States and Great Britain, restricted their trade with Imperial Japan. The Axis alliance is also cited as Nazi Germany's desire to put pressure on Britain and United States and goes as a warning to US to remain neutral country in World War II or otherwise get involved in war from two opposite fronts - west and east. It is also cited as weapon exchange between the two nations through Africa and South Asia.
On September 4, 1941, the Japanese Cabinet met to consider the war plans prepared by Imperial General Headquarters, and decided that:
Our Empire, for the purpose of self-defence and self-preservation, will complete preparations for war ... [and is] ... resolved to go to war with the United States, Great Britain and the Netherlands if necessary. Our Empire will concurrently take all possible diplomatic measures vis-a-vis the United States and Great Britain, and thereby endeavor to obtain our objectives ... In the event that there is no prospect of our demands being met by the first ten days of October through the diplomatic negotiations mentioned above, we will immediately decide to commence hostilities against the United States, Britain and the Netherlands.
Member of the Axis Powers
Japan joined Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini as Axis Powers to "maintain new order of things" and defend each other in case if one of the countries got attacked, which was the result of the Tripartite Pact and an alliance.
Invasions and attacks
ChinaJapan set its sights on China, Korea and other countries in Southeast Asia as a result of a critical lack of resources. Japan needed these resources to continue its rapid industrialization and development. After conquering some of the territories of these nations, it started contesting Russia's far-eastern territory and eventually began to invade eastern Mongolia.
Japan turned to a government form that was very similar to Fascism as a result of the Great Depression. Although this unique style of government was very similar to Fascism, there were many significant differences between the two and has therefore been termed Japanese nationalism.
Unlike the regimes of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, Japan had two economic goals in developing an empire. First, Japan's tightly controlled domestic military industry jump-started the nation's economy in the midst of the depression. Japan was forced to import raw materials such as iron, oil, and coal to maintain strong growth in the industrial sector due to the lack of natural resources on Japan's home islands. Most of these raw materials came from the United States. As a result of this military-industrial development scheme and the industrial growth of Japan, mercantilist theories prevailed. The Japanese felt that resource-rich colonies were needed to compete with European powers. Korea and Formosa had earlier been annexed primarily as agricultural colonies. In addition to Korea and Formosa, Japan primarily targeted Manchuria's iron and coal, Indochina's rubber, and China's agricultural resources.
Japan invaded China in 1937, creating what was essentially a three-way war between Japan, Mao Zedong's communists, and Chiang Kai-shek's nationalists. In that same year, the Nationalist capital of Nanking fell to Japanese troops. The event, known as the Nanking Massacre, happened in the winter of 1937 and it is estimated that nearly 300,000 people, almost entirely comprised of civilians, were killed.
With little resistance, Japan invaded and conquered Manchuria in 1931. Japan claimed that this invasion was a liberation of the Manchus from the Chinese, just as it had claimed that the annexation of Korea was an act of protection. Japan then established a puppet regime called Manchukuo, and established the former Emperor of China, Puyi, as the official head of state. Jehol, a Chinese territory bordering Manchuria, was also taken in 1933.
Malaysia The Battle of Malaya was a conflict between a Commonwealth army, comprised of British, Indian, Australian and Malays from the Federated Malay States forces, and the Japanese Imperial Army |
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