How big was the Japanese empire at biggest?

At its largest extent, the Japanese Empire, during World War II, controlled a vast territory with an area of approximately 7.4 million square kilometers (2.9 million square miles). This included:

* The Japanese Home Islands: This included the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, as well as smaller surrounding islands.

* Korea: Annexed in 1910, Korea was a vital part of the Japanese Empire, providing resources and manpower.

* Manchuria (Northeast China): Established as a puppet state (Manchukuo) in 1932, Manchuria offered rich natural resources and strategic importance.

* Taiwan: Annexed in 1895 after the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan provided agricultural products and a base for further expansion.

* Southeast Asia: The Japanese conquered vast swathes of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaya, Singapore, Burma, Borneo, and the Dutch East Indies. These territories were important for their resources, particularly oil and rubber.

* Parts of China: The Japanese occupation of China extended beyond Manchuria, including large parts of northern and eastern China, as well as the major cities of Shanghai and Nanjing.

* The Pacific Islands: Japan seized numerous islands in the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, the Caroline Islands, and the Mariana Islands, strategically important for naval bases and resource extraction.

This vast empire, stretching from the Korean Peninsula to the Indian Ocean and encompassing much of Southeast Asia, represented the peak of Japanese imperial ambition. However, this empire was short-lived, collapsing quickly following the defeat in World War II.