Internal Pressures:
* Economic Growth & Resource Scarcity: Japan was a small island nation with limited natural resources. Rapid industrialization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to increased demand for raw materials like coal, iron, and oil, which Japan lacked. Expansion was seen as a way to secure these resources.
* Population Growth: Japan's population was growing, putting pressure on the limited land available for agriculture and employment. Expansion offered the promise of new territories for settlement and economic opportunities.
* Nationalism and Imperialism: A growing sense of national pride and a belief in Japan's superiority led to a desire to become a major world power. Imperial expansion was seen as a symbol of national strength and prestige.
* Military Ambition: The Japanese military, particularly the Army, had a strong influence on government policy and sought to expand Japan's sphere of influence through military conquest.
External Factors:
* Western Imperialism: The rise of Western imperialism in Asia inspired Japan to emulate its rivals and carve out its own empire.
* Unequal Treaties: Japan was forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers in the mid-19th century, which limited its sovereignty. Expansion was seen as a way to gain greater autonomy and recognition.
* Competition with Other Powers: Japan saw itself in competition with other regional powers like Russia and China for control of resources and influence in East Asia.
Ideology and Propaganda:
* Pan-Asianism: Some Japanese leaders promoted the idea of a "Pan-Asian" empire, where Japan would liberate Asian countries from Western colonial rule. This was partly a genuine belief and partly a means to legitimize Japan's own imperial ambitions.
* "The Divine Wind" and "The Mandate of Heaven": Japanese propaganda emphasized the nation's unique cultural heritage and claimed that Japan had a divine destiny to rule East Asia. This provided moral and religious justification for expansion.
It's important to note that:
* These motivations were not always shared by all Japanese people. There was significant internal dissent against expansionism, particularly among those who feared the costs of war and the potential for economic and social instability.
* While Japanese expansion was driven by a desire for resources and power, there were also elements of genuine belief in Japan's mission to modernize and "civilize" Asia.
Overall, the Japanese desire to create an empire in the East was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon driven by a mix of internal and external factors, ideological justifications, and the ambitions of the military and ruling elite.