Japan
and Its Empire
nAfter World War I, Japan became
Asia’s leading industrial power.
nThe industrial combines, called the
zaibatsu, rapidly expanded in
areas like shipbuilding.
nLike Western countries, Japan saw
its political institutions challenged
by war and depression.
nIn response, the nation developed
an aggressive foreign
policy pushed by a government
controlled by the military.
nAdvances in education and rapid
growth in population were two
other features of this era.
