Why did Japan want Manchuria?
- Japan was suffering in the great depression. Much of its economy was based on exporting silk to rich countries like the USA. However, silk was a luxury item, and people cut back on luxuries when their families were starving. So Japanese industry was in decline and many people were unemployed. By 1932 silk was worth one fifth of what it had been sold for in early 1920’s and production and employment had fallen by 30% by 1931.
- Japan is made up of small islands, with very little open space and few natural resources. Therefore, when the Great Depression hit, Japan had to start looking elsewhere for its resources. Manchuria, with it’s fertile farmland, industry and natural resources, seemed like a good place to invade.
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