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3. Why does Japanese foreign policy become more aggressive after 1931?…
3. Why does Japanese foreign policy become more aggressive after 1931?
Background - foreign policy 1919-31
- expansionist in taking advantage of Chinese weakness, but largely conciliatory towards the US, Europe and China
Until 1931, co-operation with the West was common
Japan signed the Washington Naval Agreement 1922, accepting inferiority to Britain and the US
Played a significant role in the L of N - permanent membert
Close financial ties with US
Japanese politics becomes more authoritarian
Military exercises growing influence
Country had introduced reform but was uneasy regarding the prospect of democracy
Wall Street Crash and Great Depression reinforceds this tendency
Growth of nationalism
Public blame western influence for economic failure following Crash
Japan’s PM, Hamaguchi Osachi, was shot by an extreme nationalist
1930 London Naval Conference provokes hostility after Japan is not given a higher ratio of ships
Impact of the Great Depression
Unemployment = 2.6 million in 1930
Exports fell by 50% in the years 1929-31
By 1932, price of silk fell to 20% of its 1923 figure. Half of Japan’s farmers were dependent on silk
Aggressive imperialism seen as a way out of the country’s problems
Challenged the West
Occupation of Indo-China in 1940 and attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941
Growth of militarism
Army sees Manchuria as tempting because of mineral wealth and Japan already had troops stationed there