Life under militarist Japan

• Increased military influence

  • 1934 : Military officers could take positions in civil service which were originally reserved for civilian politicians. Military took over supervision of Manchuria.
  • 1935 : Campaign of electoral purification was carried out. It aimed remove those who held views which the militarists found to be unacceptable
  • Increased confidence in intervening in politics & opposing civilian politicians
  • Greater influence in govt, tightened their control
  • Civilian political parties less important. Increased support of military
  • Successes of military were source of national pride
• Emergence of the Control Faction within the Military

  Failure of the Feb 26 Incident, 1936:

  • Young officers in the Imperial Way led a military coup.

  • Attempted to assassinate key government leaders & demanded a new government. Coup failed.

  • Emperor condemned their actions.

  • 19 leading figures were arrested and executed

  • Allowed the Control Faction opportunity to seize control of the military and restore its discipline.

  • Able to appoint an active general as the Minister for War.

  • Began to prepare for war by further modernising the Japanese military.
• Loss of political power for the civilian politicians

  1937

  • Prince Konoe Fumimaro appointed as Prime Minister.

  • In the same year, the military led an invasion of China.

  • Prince Konoe also permitted the formation of a Cabinet Planning Office made up of mostly military officers in Oct 1937.

  In Oct 1941,

  • Army Minister General Tojo Hideki took over the role of Prime

  Minister.

  • Control of Japan’s finances shifted from the civilian government into the hands of the military

  • Military now had total control of the Japanese government.
• Strengthening of the economy

  • Shift to heavy industries and chemical production. Led to the production of arms and infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges.

  • More money was set aside for heavy industries, expanding the manufacturing industries.

  • Set up of new industries gave rise to Zaibatsu who played an important role in Japan’s empire. They were responsible for Economic development and the exploitation of resources in Korea and Manchuria.

  • Made huge profits from government contracts in chemicals, construction and related areas.
• Increased Control of Japanese Industry


  • The Principal Industries Control Law was passed in 1931.

  • Legalised for zaibatsu to form cartels to limit competition and control the production and prices of products sold.

  • Cartels were set up in heavy industries including ship building, electric power and coal mining.

  • Government became more directly involved and even started to control the cartels.

  • Despite resistance from the zaibatsu, further state control continued.

  • 1937: Government introduced the Five-Year Plans setting targets for production in various industries.
• Measures to address impact of Great Depression


  • Many farmers heavily in debt. To address this, the government introduced measures to help them pay off their debts.

  • 1932, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the Campaign for Economic Revitalisation. Stressed the need to revive spirit of co-operation in rural areas. Encouraged farmers to utilise scientific farming methods. Guidance on how to better manage crops and finances on their farms. Measures helped to increase their income

  • Many farmers signed up for the campaign. However, limited impact – Govt’s focus more on industrialisation
• control of labour unions

  • By 1936, the militarist government had changed its attitude towards labour unions.

  • It no longer favoured the unions and forced thousands of workers to withdraw from the union of government employees.
• control of Japanese thought


  • Emphasis on loyalty to the state & Emperor, strong military spirit.

  • Campaign for Economic Revitalisation emphasised traditional values

  • 1937, discussion councils set up in workplaces. Workers told companies were like their families

  • Censorship : The Publications Monitoring Department checked all media

  • 1936, the Information & Propaganda Committee formed to further control the media & promote militarist ideas

  • Kempeitai set up to enforce further control

  • Those who promoted ideas critical of the govt imprisoned
• control of education

  • Education system emphasised national pride, importance of Japanese traditions, Shinto beliefs, loyalty to the Emperor & community over the individual

  • 1937, the Ministry of Education published "Fundamentals of Our National Polity". It was to guide teachers in teaching Japanese traditional ethics in their students

  • The curriculum aimed to instil a sense of patriotism in young Japanese. It was centred on ultranationalist & militarist ideas.

  • Involved physical exercise, military-style drilling & technical lessons designed to prepare the youths for war.