japan in ww2

Prior to the 20th century Japan was basically a self-contained, independent nation with little international ties. Japan, a great power since it defeated Russia in the 1905 Russo-Japanese War, was engulfed by sever economic depression. The Japanese economy and its people had suffered greatly through the Great Depression and began to sympathise with countries such as Germany and Italy who suffered greatly also. Like Germany and Italy, Japan replaced a parliamentary system with a fascist one under General Hideki Tojo and Emperor Hirohito, the figurehead ruler of Japan to whom all swore absolute allegiance. During the 1930s, the Japanese military established almost complete control over the government as it was seen as inadequate because it could not alleviate the stress of the Depression. Many political enemies were assassinated, and communists persecuted. Indoctrination and censorship in education and media were intensified. Navy and army officers soon occupied most of the important off...