Japan’s Greater East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere
Japan’s Greater East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere
In 1937, an engagement between China and Japan led to a bloody conflict between the two nations. This conflict and Japan’s desire to control East Asia dominated Japanese strategies until 1940, when Japan declared the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere. This Co-prosperity Sphere promoted a “bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western Powers” (Dower, 262). The position of Japan was superior and all other nations in this “sphere” were seen as subordinate. It is clear that Japan had all intentions to dominate Asia and control previously European colonies. Although this desire for expansion was based on ideology, there was also the immediate and vital need for natural resources that Japan did not have. In order to have unlimited access to these resources, Japan promoted the Co-prosperity sphere in order to gain the support of locals in the nations it would occupy, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Singapore and French Indochina (Dower, 262-290). In each of these countries, Japan deceived locals into thinking the Co-prosperity Sphere would benefit them, but in reality Japan only wanted to extract the natural resources it needed for military war making power. Although Japan attempted to make this sphere an attractive idea, it soon became clear to each of these countries that Japan was only focused on its own survival. This is can be seen in the many atrocities committed by the Japanese in each of these countries. Therefore, Japan promoted the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere in order to occupy the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Singapore and French Indochina and extract natural resources, and while doing so committed atrocities that resulted in the death of thousands of people. In 1934 prior to World War II, United States has agreed to recognize Philippine’s independence after a 10-year transitional period. Within those years
In 1937, an engagement between China and Japan led to a bloody conflict between the two nations. This conflict and Japan’s desire to control East Asia dominated Japanese strategies until 1940, when Japan declared the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere. This Co-prosperity Sphere promoted a “bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western Powers” (Dower, 262). The position of Japan was superior and all other nations in this “sphere” were seen as subordinate. It is clear that Japan had all intentions to dominate Asia and control previously European colonies. Although this desire for expansion was based on ideology, there was also the immediate and vital need for natural resources that Japan did not have. In order to have unlimited access to these resources, Japan promoted the Co-prosperity sphere in order to gain the support of locals in the nations it would occupy, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Singapore and French Indochina (Dower, 262-290). In each of these countries, Japan deceived locals into thinking the Co-prosperity Sphere would benefit them, but in reality Japan only wanted to extract the natural resources it needed for military war making power. Although Japan attempted to make this sphere an attractive idea, it soon became clear to each of these countries that Japan was only focused on its own survival. This is can be seen in the many atrocities committed by the Japanese in each of these countries. Therefore, Japan promoted the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere in order to occupy the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Singapore and French Indochina and extract natural resources, and while doing so committed atrocities that resulted in the death of thousands of people. In 1934 prior to World War II, United States has agreed to recognize Philippine’s independence after a 10-year transitional period. Within those years
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