Economic Motivations for Japanese Expansionism

The main cause of Japanese expansionism in the 1930s can be attributed to economic problems, although other factors such as militarism also played a significant role. The economic difficulties faced by Japan during this period were largely a result of the Great Depression, which had a profound impact on the country's economy.

Prior to the Great Depression, Japan had relied heavily on exporting its products to other countries, particularly the United States and Europe. However, when the global economic crisis hit, these countries were no longer able to import goods from Japan, leading to a severe decline in Japan's economy. As a result, Japan faced an economic crisis, with half of its factories closing by 1931 and many people losing their jobs.

In order to overcome these economic challenges, Japan turned to the expansion of its empire. Industrial Japan saw the acquisition of raw materials as crucial for its economic growth, and therefore sought to establish plantations in its colonial territories. These plantations produced commodities such as sugar in Taiwan, soybeans in Manchuria, and rice in Korea, which helped develop the commercial side of Japan's economy through trading with the United States and Europe.

Furthermore, Japan's lack of natural resources and limited building space also drove its expansionist ambitions. With more than 40% of its food and raw materials being imported from territories like Manchuria, Korea, and Taiwan, Japan sought to gain control over these regions to ensure a steady supply of resources. This led to Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931, followed by the acquisition of control in Korea and Taiwan.

While economic problems were the main driving force behind Japanese expansionism, militarism also played a significant role. The military elite in Japan believed that seizing control of areas like Korea was essential for securing Japan's security in the East Asia region. Additionally, the reputation of the military was closely tied to battlefield successes, and imperial expansion boosted military prestige.

The move towards imperialism in Japan began much earlier with the Meiji restoration in 1868, which marked the country's march towards imperialism and the pursuit of wealth, prestige, and reputation as an imperialistic military power. The assassination of the prime minister in 1932 further fueled the military's desire for conquests, as they sought to consolidate political control and secure rich resources in other parts of Asia.

In conclusion, while economic problems were the main cause of Japanese expansionism in the 1930s, other factors such as militarism also played a significant role. The Great Depression severely impacted Japan's economy, leading to the closure of factories and widespread unemployment. In response, Japan sought to expand its empire to secure raw materials and ensure economic growth. However, the military's desire for political control and prestige also contributed to Japan's expansionist ambitions during this period.