Japanese imperialism began in 1868 with the Meiji era, with reforms in all areas. Shogunat is replaced by the empire. During this period, Japan clashed with China and Russia, and won both wars without major problems. After the victory over Russia, a free path opens up for the annexation of Korea. In 1912 follows the Taisho period also called the Taisho democracy. In World War I, they were on the side of the victors. The turning point will come in 1926, when Hirohito becomes an Emperor and renames the period to Showa. During this time, militarists in the region take over and revive Shintoism with the divine personality of the emperor. In 1932, they occupied Manchuria, which was later made a puppet state in 1934 under the name of Manchukuo. Following this example, they continued in the second Chinese - Japanese war of 1937, where they occupied every key Chinese port and industrial center. Following the signing of the Tripartite Pact, Germany and Italy recognized and respected Japan’s leadership in establishing a new order in East Asia. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, they entered the war with the United States. In less than half a year after the attack, they became masters of the Pacific. However, they were thus defeated in a few key naval battles, turned into a defensive war, and capitulated after the first use of atomic weapons.
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