... before 1931. The background of Japanese imperialism lies in the begging of the 20th century, the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905), the annexation of Korea and Taiwan and also the annexation of the German colonies in China and the Pacific after WW1. It is this imperialism that brought Japan to the status of a Great Power, not only were they a great power but they did not loose millions of soldiers in the first world war. The expansionism up to 1921 was not only about prestige but also to protect itself form Russian expansion in Asia. During the First World War Japan participated on the side of the allies, they defeated the German forces in Shantung. Yet what is important about the Japanese involvement in the First World War is their elevation to the Great Power status. Japan was not committed as other powers were to the idealism of the 1920s and 30s ...

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