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大東亜 — Educational Archive
Historical content about the Japanese Empire (1900–1945)
II. Historical Context
The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亜共栄圏) was a concept propagated by the Empire of Japan during the Showa era. This archive examines the political, military, and cultural dimensions of Japanese imperial expansion across East and Southeast Asia.
Understanding this period requires examination of the complex interplay between ideology, economics, and military strategy that shaped the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the Asia-Pacific region.
III. Key Timeline
Russo-Japanese War Concludes
Japan emerges as a major imperial power following victory, reshaping the balance of power in East Asia.
Manchurian Incident
The staged Mukden Incident leads to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and establishment of Manchukuo.
Second Sino-Japanese War
Full-scale military conflict begins between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan.
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
The concept is formally announced as Japan's geopolitical framework for regional dominance.
End of the Empire
Japan's unconditional surrender marks the conclusion of World War II in the Pacific theater.
IV. Archival Sources
- National Diet Library Digital Collections
- U.S. National Archives — Pacific Theater Records
- Imperial War Museum Collections
- Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus
- Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan