Japan
Washington Agreements
12 November 1921 - 6 February 1922
Conference to discuss naval disarmament.
5-Power Treaty: Tonnage ratio of 5:5:3.
4-Power Treaty: Each power would respect the territory of each other.
9-Power Treaty: Japan would recognize Chinese territory and sovereignty.
Kwantung army assassinates the Manchurian warlord
04 June 1928
Zhang Zuolin is assassinated by officers of the Kwantung.
His successor and son, Zhang Xueliang, hoisted the Nationalist flag over
Manchuria.
Militarism replaces democracy in the Japanese Diet
1930 - 1931
Coup but called back at the last moment; militarists control the gov´t and made life
difficult for the japanese Diet (Parliament).
Moderates were labeled “un-japanese” if they did not support the military with the
New Hamaguchi government.
Mukden Incident
18 September 1931
An explosion occurred on the Southern Manchurian railway, which damaged the
track just outside Mukden.
Bomb planted by Kwantung exploded on the track of Japanese-owned railway →
used as an excuse to invade Manchuria.
japanese created own state: Manchukuo.
Creation of Manchukuo
18 February 1932
Known as "Wei Manzhouguo"—meaning "false state of Manchuria". Puppet state
created by Japan out of the three historic provinces of Manchuria (northeastern
China).
Henry Pu-Yi—former Chinese emperor—installed as head of the puppet
government.
Assassination of Prime Minister Inukai
15 May 1932
Inukai Tsuyoshi, who opposed the seizure of Manchuria and growing control of the
military, was assassinated by a group of right-wing naval officers.
, Marked the end of pre-World War II Japanese democracy and the triumph of
militarism and fascism.
Lytton Report
September 1932
Leage of Nations' response to Mukden incident.
Japanese should give Manchuria back to China and the League will not recognize
Manchukuo.
Japanese Withdrawal from the League of Nations
24 February 1933
The Japanese delegation—defying world opinion—withdrew after the assembly had
adopted a report blaming Japan for events in Manchuria.
Japanese Withdrawal from the Naval Treaties
15 January 1936
Japan resented the 5:5:3 tonnage ratio established, considering it as an offense
from the West.
"(...) the basic principles embodied in our proposal for a comprehensive limitation
and reduction of naval armaments cannot secure general support (...)"
The (Second) Sino-Japanese War
07 July 1937 - 09 September 1945
China fought Japan, with aid from Germany, the Soviet Union, and the United
States (which had interests in China).
(December 1936) Japan sinks USS Panay in the Yangtze River as it ensconced an
oil tanker.
The Rape of Nanking
13 December 1937 - January 1938
The Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and
proceeded to murder 300,000 out of 600,000 civilians and soldiers in the city.
Represented the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the
European or Pacific warzones.
Concept of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere
29 June 1940 - 15 August 1945
Based on the idea of Pan-Asianism.
Militant rise in Japan meant more autonomy for the military.
Economic Depression → less cooperation with the West → Japan would guide Asia
against the West.
(1941) Great East Asian War
(1942)Colonial Ministry replaced with the Great East Asia Ministry.
Washington Agreements
12 November 1921 - 6 February 1922
Conference to discuss naval disarmament.
5-Power Treaty: Tonnage ratio of 5:5:3.
4-Power Treaty: Each power would respect the territory of each other.
9-Power Treaty: Japan would recognize Chinese territory and sovereignty.
Kwantung army assassinates the Manchurian warlord
04 June 1928
Zhang Zuolin is assassinated by officers of the Kwantung.
His successor and son, Zhang Xueliang, hoisted the Nationalist flag over
Manchuria.
Militarism replaces democracy in the Japanese Diet
1930 - 1931
Coup but called back at the last moment; militarists control the gov´t and made life
difficult for the japanese Diet (Parliament).
Moderates were labeled “un-japanese” if they did not support the military with the
New Hamaguchi government.
Mukden Incident
18 September 1931
An explosion occurred on the Southern Manchurian railway, which damaged the
track just outside Mukden.
Bomb planted by Kwantung exploded on the track of Japanese-owned railway →
used as an excuse to invade Manchuria.
japanese created own state: Manchukuo.
Creation of Manchukuo
18 February 1932
Known as "Wei Manzhouguo"—meaning "false state of Manchuria". Puppet state
created by Japan out of the three historic provinces of Manchuria (northeastern
China).
Henry Pu-Yi—former Chinese emperor—installed as head of the puppet
government.
Assassination of Prime Minister Inukai
15 May 1932
Inukai Tsuyoshi, who opposed the seizure of Manchuria and growing control of the
military, was assassinated by a group of right-wing naval officers.
, Marked the end of pre-World War II Japanese democracy and the triumph of
militarism and fascism.
Lytton Report
September 1932
Leage of Nations' response to Mukden incident.
Japanese should give Manchuria back to China and the League will not recognize
Manchukuo.
Japanese Withdrawal from the League of Nations
24 February 1933
The Japanese delegation—defying world opinion—withdrew after the assembly had
adopted a report blaming Japan for events in Manchuria.
Japanese Withdrawal from the Naval Treaties
15 January 1936
Japan resented the 5:5:3 tonnage ratio established, considering it as an offense
from the West.
"(...) the basic principles embodied in our proposal for a comprehensive limitation
and reduction of naval armaments cannot secure general support (...)"
The (Second) Sino-Japanese War
07 July 1937 - 09 September 1945
China fought Japan, with aid from Germany, the Soviet Union, and the United
States (which had interests in China).
(December 1936) Japan sinks USS Panay in the Yangtze River as it ensconced an
oil tanker.
The Rape of Nanking
13 December 1937 - January 1938
The Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and
proceeded to murder 300,000 out of 600,000 civilians and soldiers in the city.
Represented the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the
European or Pacific warzones.
Concept of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere
29 June 1940 - 15 August 1945
Based on the idea of Pan-Asianism.
Militant rise in Japan meant more autonomy for the military.
Economic Depression → less cooperation with the West → Japan would guide Asia
against the West.
(1941) Great East Asian War
(1942)Colonial Ministry replaced with the Great East Asia Ministry.
