Japanese History: Key Terminology (1894-1937)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, events, people, and concepts from Japan’s emergence as a regional power through its militaristic expansion up to 1937.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

War between Japan and Qing China, driven by Korea and resources, ending with the Treaty of Shimonoseki and elevating Japan as a regional power.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Conflict over Korea and Manchuria; Japan defeated Russia at sea and on land, boosting prestige and enabling empire expansion.

Battle of Port Arthur

Surprise Japanese attack on Port Arthur (Feb 1904) signaling the start of the Russo-Japanese War.

Battle of the Yalu River

Early 1904 land engagement; showed Japanese advances in Manchurian theater.

Battle of Mukden

Major 1905 land battle; a decisive Japanese victory that exhausted Russia’s forces.

Battle of Tsushima Strait

Naval battle (1905) where Japan decisively defeated the Russian fleet.

Liaodong Peninsula

Strategic region in Manchuria with railway and military significance; gained by Japan after the war.

Southern Manchurian Railway

Railway rights in Manchuria secured by Japan in peace settlements.

Port Arthur

Key port targeted at the war’s outset; part of control over Manchuria and Korea.

Korea Protectorate (1905)

Japan established control over Korea’s foreign relations as a precursor to full annexation.

Annexation of Korea (1910)

Formal incorporation of Korea into the Japanese Empire.

Open Door Policy

U.S. principle promoting equal trading opportunities in China and restricting colonization by powers.

Sino-Japanese relations: Shantung (Shandong) Demands (21 Demands, 1915)

Japanese demands to China aimed at expanding influence and control; some terms would have made China a protectorate.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

Ended the Russo-Japanese War; Japan gained strategic rights and recognition as a major power.

Treaty of Peking (1905)

Transferred Russia’s rights in China to Japan as part of postwar settlements.

Siberian Expedition (1918-1922)

Allied intervention in Siberia to contain Bolshevik Russia and protect war aims; Japan expanded its presence.

League of Nations membership (1919)

Japan joined the League, endorsing internationalism and collective security.

Racial Equality Proposal (1919)

Japan asked for racial equality in the League of Nations; rejected by U.S. President Wilson.

Kwantung Army

Japanese Army force in Manchuria responsible for rapid expansion and the Mukden Incident.

Mukden Incident (1931)

Staged Japanese attack used as pretext to occupy Manchuria and establish Manchukuo.

Manchukuo

Japanese-controlled puppet state established in Manchuria after the invasion.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident (1937)

Clash near Peiping that sparked full-scale Sino-Japanese War (Second Sino-Japanese War).

Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)

Conflict beginning with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident; merged into World War II in Asia.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Japanese concept of a bloc of East Asian nations under Japanese leadership for economic and political gain.

New Order Policy (1938)

Japan’s plan to restructure East Asia politically and economically under Japanese leadership.

Tripartite Pact (1940)

Alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy creating the Axis in World War II.

Five-Power Treaty (Washington Naval Treaty, 1922)

Limited naval tonnage and capital ships among US, UK, Japan, France, Italy; aimed to prevent naval arms race.

Nine-Power Treaty (1922)

Affirmed territorial integrity of China and Open Door principles.

Four-Power Treaty (1922)

Agreement among major powers to consult over Pacific Island possessions and avoid conflicts.

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)

International agreement to renounce war as a national policy, signed by many nations.

Exclusion Act (1924)

U.S. policy excluding Japanese immigrants, reflecting racial prejudice and immigration restrictions.

Universal Manhood Suffrage (1925)

Extension of voting rights to all men over 25, regardless of income or property.

Peace Preservation Act (1925)

Anti-democratic law making extreme leftist activities illegal; curtailed political dissent.

Zaibatsu

Large family-controlled industrial and financial conglomerates shaping Japan’s economy and politics.

Taisho Democracy

Period in the 1920s of increasing party politics and liberal reforms, challenged by militarism.

Genro

Elder statesmen who held significant influence over cabinet appointments in Meiji/Taisho Japan.

Kokutai

National polity emphasizing loyalty to the Emperor and the unity of state and society.

Tenko

Process of ideological conversion used by the army to force left-wing activists to renounce beliefs.

Hara Kei

Prime Minister (1918-1921) who strengthened party politics and limited liberal reforms.

Katō Kōmei (Kato Komei)

Prime Minister (1924) who led a coalition government and supported democratic reforms.

Seiyūkai

Liberal party allied with Zaibatsu; central in Taisho-era politics.

Kenseikai

Main rival political party to Seiyūkai; later merged in interwar politics.

Inukai Tsuyoshi

Prime Minister assassinated in 1932; his death marked the effective end of party-dominated government.

Ito Hirobumi

Key architect of the Meiji Constitution and early modern Japanese politics; assassinated in 1909.

Yamagata Aritomo

Founder of modernized Japanese army and a major Meiji-era figure.

Saionji Kimmochi

Liberal-leaning statesman and liberal scholar, last survivor of a reformist group.

Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa)

Emperor from 1926; role debated in militarist expansion and wartime decisions.

Tanaka Memorial

Alleged plan or memo advocating military-dominated expansion; its authenticity is disputed.

Tenko and Tenkoists

Process and adherents associated with ideological conversion away from leftist beliefs.

Lytton Report

Commission report by the League of Nations evaluating the Manchuria crisis and justifying Japanese withdrawal.

Rural-Urban Disparities

Socioeconomic gap contributing to political tension in 1920s Japan.

Kurai Tanima (The Dark Valley)

Metaphor for the era of economic and political crisis and militarization after 1931.

Inukai Tsuyoshi Assassination (1932)

Assassination that accelerated the fall of party government and rise of military influence.

Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

War between Japan and Qing China, driven by Korea and resources, ending with the Treaty of Shimonoseki and elevating Japan as a regional power.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Conflict over Korea and Manchuria; Japan defeated Russia at sea and on land, boosting prestige and enabling empire expansion.

Battle of Port Arthur

Surprise Japanese attack on Port Arthur (Feb 1904) signaling the start of the Russo-Japanese War.

Battle of the Yalu River

Early 1904 land engagement; showed Japanese advances in Manchurian theater.

Battle of Mukden

Major 1905 land battle; a decisive Japanese victory that exhausted Russia’s forces.

Battle of Tsushima Strait

Naval battle (1905) where Japan decisively defeated the Russian fleet.

Liaodong Peninsula

Strategic region in Manchuria with railway and military significance; gained by Japan after the war.

Southern Manchurian Railway

Railway rights in Manchuria secured by Japan in peace settlements.

Port Arthur

Key port targeted at the war’s outset; part of control over Manchuria and Korea.

Korea Protectorate (1905)

Japan established control over Korea’s foreign relations as a precursor to full annexation.

Annexation of Korea (1910)

Formal incorporation of Korea into the Japanese Empire.

Open Door Policy

U.S. principle promoting equal trading opportunities in China and restricting colonization by powers.

Sino-Japanese relations: Shantung (Shandong) Demands (21 Demands, 1915)

Japanese demands to China aimed at expanding influence and control; some terms would have made China a protectorate.

Treaty of Portsmouth (1905)

Ended the Russo-Japanese War; Japan gained strategic rights and recognition as a major power.

Treaty of Peking (1905)

Transferred Russia’s rights in China to Japan as part of postwar settlements.

Siberian Expedition (1918-1922)

Allied intervention in Siberia to contain Bolshevik Russia and protect war aims; Japan expanded its presence.

League of Nations membership (1919)

Japan joined the League, endorsing internationalism and collective security.

Racial Equality Proposal (1919)

Japan asked for racial equality in the League of Nations; rejected by U.S. President Wilson.

Kwantung Army

Japanese Army force in Manchuria responsible for rapid expansion and the Mukden Incident.

Mukden Incident (1931)

Staged Japanese attack used as pretext to occupy Manchuria and establish Manchukuo.

Manchukuo

Japanese-controlled puppet state established in Manchuria after the invasion.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident (1937)

Clash near Peiping that sparked full-scale Sino-Japanese War (Second Sino-Japanese War).

Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)

Conflict beginning with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident; merged into World War II in Asia.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Japanese concept of a bloc of East Asian nations under Japanese leadership for economic and political gain.

New Order Policy (1938)

Japan’s plan to restructure East Asia politically and economically under Japanese leadership.

Tripartite Pact (1940)

Alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy creating the Axis in World War II.

Five-Power Treaty (Washington Naval Treaty, 1922)

Limited naval tonnage and capital ships among US, UK, Japan, France, Italy; aimed to prevent naval arms race.

Nine-Power Treaty (1922)

Affirmed territorial integrity of China and Open Door principles.

Four-Power Treaty (1922)

Agreement among major powers to consult over Pacific Island possessions and avoid conflicts.

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)

International agreement to renounce war as a national policy, signed by many nations.

Exclusion Act (1924)

U.S. policy excluding Japanese immigrants, reflecting racial prejudice and immigration restrictions.

Universal Manhood Suffrage (1925)

Extension of voting rights to all men over 25, regardless of income or property.

Peace Preservation Act (1925)

Anti-democratic law making extreme leftist activities illegal; curtailed political dissent.

Zaibatsu

Large family-controlled industrial and financial conglomerates shaping Japan’s economy and politics.

Taisho Democracy

Period in the 1920s of increasing party politics and liberal reforms, challenged by militarism.

Genro

Elder statesmen who held significant influence over cabinet appointments in Meiji/Taisho Japan.

Kokutai

National polity emphasizing loyalty to the Emperor and the unity of state and society.

Tenko

Process of ideological conversion used by the army to force left-wing activists to renounce beliefs.

Hara Kei

Prime Minister (1918-1921) who strengthened party politics and limited liberal reforms.

Katō Kōmei (Kato Komei)

Prime Minister (1924) who led a coalition government and supported democratic reforms.

Seiyūkai

Liberal party allied with Zaibatsu; central in Taisho-era politics.

Kenseikai

Main rival political party to Seiyūkai; later merged in interwar politics.

Inukai Tsuyoshi

Prime Minister assassinated in 1932; his death marked the effective end of party-dominated government.

Ito Hirobumi

Key architect of the Meiji Constitution and early modern Japanese politics; assassinated in 1909.

Yamagata Aritomo

Founder of modernized Japanese army and a major Meiji-era figure.

Saionji Kimmochi

Liberal-leaning statesman and liberal scholar, last survivor of a reformist group.

Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa)

Emperor from 1926; role debated in militarist expansion and wartime decisions.