10. The military leaders fostered hostility towards the western powers
The Japanese military leadership, supported by other militarists and nationalists, believed that the Japanese empire was ringed by western imperialists; the British in Hong Kong and India, the United States in the Philippines, and the French in Indochina. They also resented the presence of the Dutch colonies in the South Pacific. They preached the exploitation of the Asian races by the western powers, and that Asia should be united under Japanese control. The militarists believed that all Asia would prosper by being united under Japanese rule, and that their ancient enemy – China – was supported by the western powers in opposition.
Hostility towards the United States became more fervid following the adoption of the London Naval Treaty in 1930, which the Japanese government accepted. The treaty further restricted the expansion of the Japanese Navy in comparison to the United States Navy. The Japanese concept of a unified Asia was joined with the racial beliefs of Japanese superiority against the western nations, reinforced in schools, radio commentary, and propaganda devices. The Japanese were reminded daily that the western empires, particularly that of the United States, were a fundamental threat to the very existence of Japan and its emperor.
