Seaborne empire
Things didn't move significantly until, after the formal annexation of Korea in 1910, Japan turned its attention to the Nan'yo-Gunto - or South Sea Islands. Japan's presence in the South Seas had formerly been limited to an assortment of Japanese traders and adventurers. But during World War One there were an influential few, engaged in business or military concerns - especially the navy - who advocated a southwards advance [nanshin] rather than the advance northwards [hokushin] favoured by the army. They made it clear that if Japan moved into the South Pacific and south-east Asia, abundant natural resources would become available.
'... Japan had been allowed into the 'big power club', and for now she felt secure.'
Thus, after joining the victorious Allies in World War One, Japan was granted Germany's Asian colonial territories under a League of Nations' mandate. The territories consisted of Tsingtao, on the Chinese Shantung Peninsula, and the formerly German-held islands in Micronesia.
At long last it seemed that the unequal treaties and the triple intervention had been avenged - Japan had been allowed into the 'big power club', and for now she felt secure. Talk of further expansion died away.
Published: 2004-06-09
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