Japan's
geography was a prime motivator for its territorial expansion in the 1920s and 1930s. First of
all, Japan's population was rapidly growing and modernizing during those years, and space and
resources on the home islands was limited. The Japanese islands are extremely mountainous,
meaning that there is little land suitable for easy farming or urban growth. Therefore, Japan
had to look beyond its own shores.
Japanese imperialists saw how European
nations in similar predicaments turned to their overseas colonies for land and resources, and
they figured that they were well-positioned to do the same in Pacific Asia. This was especially
the case when the need for petroleum grew during the early 20th Century. As it built up its
military and industry, Japan became increasingly interested in taking control of oil-rich
regions in the Pacific. Because the Japanese home islands have very few oil reserves, they were
compelled to look elsewhere for this resource.
While the Japanese islands are
separated from the Asian mainland by the Sea of Japan and the South China Sea, the distance is
not very great. This allowed the Japanese to easily send forces to the mainland in the pursuit
of empire. Furthermore, by being an island nation itself, the Japanese were comfortable and
adept at sending their navy throughout the Pacific in the imperialistic quest for more islands,
both near and far.
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