Japan was facing economic insecurity.

• Japan was facing economic insecurity. The war in the East came about largely due to Japan's search for economic security and to end its economic problems.
• Japan had coped with rising population and food shortage problems by selling its goods abroad, especially silk and using profits to buy raw materials and food but the Great Depression hit Japan badly as the Wall Street Crash led to a huge drop in demand for silk. Causing millions of peasants who depended on the silk exports to become in poverty.
• To ensure the long term security and prosperity of Japan, a policy of expansion was necessary as a defensive measure. Conquering Asia would give Japan more land, raw materials and a market for her goods.