Japan called its plan Asian cooperation, but it really wanted to lead the region and control its oil, rubber and tin.
In 1940, Japan announced the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. It promised shared wealth and freedom from Western rule. But Japan would lead. The promise helped justify expansion. It did not mean the peoples under Japan would rule themselves.
Southeast Asia had oil in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. British Malaya had rubber and tin. These would help Japan keep fighting without Western suppliers. In 1940, Germany defeated France and the Netherlands, and Britain was busy fighting in Europe. Their Asian colonies looked weak.
Japan moved into northern French Indochina in 1940 and the south in 1941. This brought its forces closer to Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. But moving south risked war with Britain, the Netherlands and the USA, which held the Philippines.
- Co-Prosperity Sphere, 1940
- Japan's plan for an Asia it would lead.
- Resources
- Oil in the Dutch East Indies; rubber and tin in Malaya.
- Indochina
- Japan moves in, north 1940 and south 1941.
Worked example: Check the promise against who holds power
A student says a promise to free Asia proves Japan would bring independence.
- The slogan promises unity and freedom from Western rule.
- But Japan would lead and control the oil and other resources.
- So ask who makes decisions. The promise alone does not answer that.
Watch out for this
The Co-Prosperity Sphere meant equal, independent partners.
Japan would lead the sphere and control its resources. The partners would not be equal.
Check your understanding
Why did Southeast Asia matter so much to Japan?
- It was the only place Japan could sell its silk.
- It had oil, rubber and tin Japan needed to keep fighting.
- Its peoples had asked Japan to rule them.