Economic Impact of the Great Depression on Japan

Reduced exports during the Great Depression led to decreased income for farmers, thus lowering the demand for their produce.

Tenant farmers faced eviction due to their inability to pay rent, as landowners refused to decrease it.

Small businesses struggled to attract customers during the economic downturn, leading to many closures.

Business owners formed the Imperial Middle Class Federated Alliance to express their grievances and accuse the government of favoring larger interests.

The Great Depression led to massive unemployment in Japan, with as many as 20% of the workforce losing their jobs.

Workers protested, sometimes violently, against employers who were seen as part of the elite classes.

The fear of communism rose due to the presence of communist agitators who were trying to spark a revolution during the Great Depression.

The Japanese government feared communism as the Soviet Union, a communist nation, bordered Japanese territories in Korea and Manchuria.

The belief that political leaders prioritize the interests of wealthy elites at the expense of the common people's needs.

Powerful Japanese industrial conglomerates that held considerable economic and political influence.

The general opinion or feeling people have towards the government, often influenced by its actions and policies.

The military's increasing influence over political decisions and its growing power within the government.

The feeling of discontent among military personnel, often driven by perceived mistreatment or lack of appreciation by the civilian government.

The London Naval Conference aimed to reduce naval forces of major powers, but Japan received a less favorable ratio compared to the United States and Britain.

The civilian government's decision to reduce naval personnel and ships after the London Naval Conference, causing resentment within the military.

The negative perception of the civilian government as corrupt and incapable of improving the economic conditions people faced in the 1920s, leading to decreased respect for the military and growing popularity of the military.

The military had a powerful voice in the Japanese government, even influencing cabinet formation. Often, the military could veto policies or deny participation in the cabinet if they disagreed with the Prime Minister or Cabinet. This could hinder government operations and decision-making.

The Emperor of Japan held a delicate balancing act between the military and the civilian politicians. He was the central figure who could potentially unite the different branches of government.

The Emperor had to be strong enough to manage the different groups within the Japanese government.

The Diet, the Japanese Parliament, was filled with different political parties. These parties often disagreed and struggled to work together, creating challenges for the Prime Minister in obtaining a majority vote for policies.

The Diet was composed of political parties with competing agendas, making forming a cohesive government a challenge.

Emperor Taisho's health was poor. He was unable to effectively govern or fully control the military, which contributed to political instability in Japan.

The Genro were a group of elder statesmen who influenced the Japanese government in the early 20th century. They were often seen as having a strong voice and power within the government, which made it difficult for the Emperor or Prime Minister to make decisions without their approval.

Emperor Taisho could not effectively govern or fully control the military due to poor health.

Japan's aim to build more warships at the 1930 London Naval Conference was rejected by Western powers, leading to resentment in Japan.

The London Naval Treaty of 1930 led to a reduced naval ratio for Japan compared to the USA and Britain. This was seen as unfair by many Japanese, who believed it hampered their nation's potential.

The Japanese military viewed the civilian government as weak and incompetent for accepting the terms of the London Naval Treaty, as they considered the treaty to be unfavorable to Japan.

The London Naval Treaty of 1930 further fueled the military's discontent, leading to mistrust in the government, and ultimately contributing to their rise to power.

The Japanese public, frustrated with the government's perceived weakness in accepting the terms of the treaty, lost trust in the civilian leaders. This shift in public opinion paved the way for the military's rise.

Manchuria was rich in natural resources, making it an appealing target for Japan's expansionist ambitions.

The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was driven by the desire to secure control over its rich natural resources, which would fuel Japan's industrial growth and military expansion.

The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was fueled by a combination of factors, including the desire for resources, the resentment towards the Western powers, and the growing influence of the military.

The militarist government in Japan took control of labour unions in the 1930s, preventing workers from forming trade unions and advocating for their rights and interests.

The Great Depression brought significant challenges to Japanese farmers, causing them to struggle to pay their rent, taxes, and provide for their families.

The Japanese government implemented various measures to assist farmers in managing their debts, such as increasing public works projects to provide jobs in rural areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture launched a campaign to improve economic conditions for farmers, but these efforts were overshadowed by the government's focus on industrialization.

The militarist government's control over labour unions restricted workers' ability to express dissatisfaction, negotiate for better conditions, or advocate for change.

The Japanese government's actions granted the military greater control and influence, as workers and unions, sources of potential opposition, were subdued.

The government's focus shifted towards industrialization, leaving rural farmers with limited support despite their struggles.

The military had a considerable influence in shaping government policies, impacting decision-making, and ultimately leading to a decrease in societal benefits.

A special police force in Japan, known as the Kempeitai, was tasked with silencing individuals whose ideas contradicted the government's policies. Those found promoting opposing views were imprisoned or dismissed from their positions.

The government heavily influenced education, promoting ultranationalist ideals. It heavily emphasized Japanese traditions, loyalty to the emperor, and the importance of community over the individual. This was done through textbooks and teaching methods that fostered a sense of nationalism.

The Fundamentals of Our National Policy (Kokutai no Hongi) was a document by the Ministry of Education that served as the foundation for Japan's education system. It emphasized Japanese traditional ethics and promoted national pride. Its aim was to instill patriotism in young Japanese.

The curriculum emphasized ultranationalist and militarist principles, preparing youth for potential war. It included a lot of physical activity, military-style training, and technical lessons, all aimed at strengthening national identity and physical preparedness.

The government controlled Japanese thought through various means, including the Kempeitai, which silenced opposition. This was a key aspect of the government's efforts to maintain control and promote national unity.

The Japanese government felt that individualism was leading to social disarray. It saw the rapid adoption of European and American ideas as a threat to national cohesion, causing confusion and crisis.

The document highlights a concern about excessive foreign influence on Japanese culture. It argues that blindly adopting foreign systems and ideas undermines national identity and leads to a crisis.

The quote suggests that Japanese society was struggling with a sense of identity crisis caused by rapid modernization and the perceived threat of foreign influence. The government used this crisis to further its own agenda.