RISE OF JAPAN

WHAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN JAPAN ? 

The diet limited power

Corruption damaged democracy's power

Democratic leaders failed to solve economic problems

 

THE DIET LIMITED POWER

The Diet was set up in the late 19 century in which real power remained in the hands of the emperor and genro. The Diet did not have the power to make decision or even make a policy. They were also not given the power to control the nation's budget. Furthermore the Diet could not control the minister as they were directly under the control of the emperor. Due to this , the Diet made it possible for military faction grow unchecked.

CORRUPTION DAMAGED DEMOCRACY'S POWER

In the 1920's' corrupt politicians spoiled the image of the democratic parties in the eyes of the Japanese.
In order to fund their campaigns, many democratic leaders will look up onto the zaibatsus for sponsorship.In return of close ties with the government, the government helps to laws that was beneficial for their big companies. Sometimes rumours were spread around about corruption. Some were true while others were spread by opponents to make other parties look bad. During Diet meetings, different political parties  blame each other  for corruption which sometimes broke int fights. Due to this.they lose support from ordinary Japanese due to their incapability to lead.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS FAILED TO SOLVE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

THE FARMERS DIFFICULT LIVING CONDITIONS

By the 1920's, about half of the farmers in Japan had fields the size of a soccer field. the ric efarmers could not make any profit as they could not grow  more rice on their plots.The other half of the farms belong ed to landlords that rented out lands at high prices.Between 1920-1929, the prices of rice fell sharply, reducing the earnings of farmers. Due to this, conflict between the tenant unions and the landlords became common throughout the 1930's.

THE WORKERS DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS

The workers in Japan were unhappy with the democratic government for lack of improvement in their working and living conditions.Most worker lived in crowded and miserable places.Some were forced to work and are locked in company compounds. Due to this many joined unions. Some of which were communist and sent fear to the government.Frequent strikes goes on which let to the downfall of government stability.

TRADE IMBALANCE

Most of Japan's prosperity came from it global trade. Cheap electronic goods were sold all around the world with textile being its leading export. However, Japan was in need of raw materiel for its major industries most of which were imported in.Due to this Japan suffered from trade imbalance.

GREAT DEPRESSION

The great depression let to a decrease in Japan's export due to protectionism. Due to this, Japan's leading export,silk, was the worst effected. By the 1932, Japanese silk was one fifth it original price.This led to aneconomic depression.The farmers were the ones that are affected badly.This was because the farmers earned more with the sale of silk.But with it gone theamount of money they earn was lowered. Furthermore the farmers were affected by a drought in which destroyed their crops.

WHAT LED TO THE RISE OF FASCISM IN JAPAN

EXTERNAL REASONS

AMERICAN EXPANSION IN THE ASIAN -PACIFIC REGION THREATENED JAPANESE PLANS TO CONTROL THE REGION

 Since 1853, American businessmen had taken interest in doing business in the Asia-Pacific region.The USA took control of many tiny islands and used them as bases for American trading ships.  By 1930s, American control spread to the Philippines.Japanese militarists believed that the economic and military interests of Japan and the USA would run into conflict over who would control this region.

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

  Japan had fought alongside the Allies during World War I.During the Paris Peace Conference, Japanese representatives made a request that the League of Nations formally recognise that all races were equal.This was however rejected making Japan feel discriminated.

WASHINGTON NAVAL CONFERENCE

 This was held between 1921 and 1922.The Conference aimed to reduce naval forces of major naval powers. The ratio of warships that were allowed for Japan was lower than that of the USA and Britain. Many Japanese felt that this was an unfair treaty aiming at restricting Japanese power.

 LONDON DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

This was held in 1930.Many Japanese were unhappy that PM Hamaguchi Osachi agreed to further limit the number of Japan’s battleships as he wanted to improve ties with China.In addition to that, he tried to solve the problems of the Great Depression by reducing spending on the Army.He was accused of being too soft and trying to betray Japan.

IMMIGRATION LAW IN THE USA IN MID 1920'S

  In 1924, the USA tried to prevent Asian immigration as part of its isolationist and protectionist policies.Asian immigrants could not become citizens even if they had stayed in the USA for a long time. In California, the California Alien Law ordered that all Asian children attend schools separate from the Americans.Such laws angered the Japanese who formed the main bulk of the immigrants.They saw such laws as regarding them as being inferior.This combined with other factors such as the Great Depression, made many Japanese turn away from democracy.

RESURGENCE OF CHINESE NATIONALISM

 Since 1894, China had been weakened by many internal struggles.This however changed in 1927 when the KMT and CCP formed an alliance to eliminate all internal enemies like the Chinese warlords.General Chiang gained control of China and demanded an end to all concessions that foreign powers had enjoyed in China.Frequent strikes and boycotts of Japanese goods hurt Japan’s economy.The Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria proposed that Japan occupy Manchuria and North China before anti-Japanese feelings became too strong.This was supported by many Japanese.

INTERNAL REASONS

THE SHOWA RESTORATION

  From the 1930s, the education system of Japan emphasised nationalism, loyalty to the Emperor, self-sacrifice and obedience.Japan’s response to the Great Depression and foreign opposition to Japan’s growing empire was the inauguration of the Showa Restoration.This movement characterised all things Western in a negative light and stressed the glorification of the Emperor.This movement produced youths who were blindly loyal to the nation.This further developed Japan’s militarism.

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

  Patriotic societies had been growing since the 1920s in Japan.  Many of them had close connections with the Army.They were extremely nationalistic and wanted Japan to adopt an aggressive foreign policy.Some societies such as the Black Dragon Society wanted to eliminate democratic leaders so that Japan would adopt a more aggressive foreign policy.

ARMY 'S AND NAVY'S GREAT INFLUENCE OVER THE GOVERNMENT

  The Army and Navy had great influence over the government.Since the late 19th century, they had been pressing the government to acquire more colonies like what the Western nations were doing.Military successes in Manchuria and parts of China made them even more ambitious to pursue an expansionist policy.Leaders who did not support the military ambitions were often the subjects of assassination attempts.