Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

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The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, also known as the GEACPS, was a pan-Asian alliance that the Empire of Japan sought to establish. It was a fascist idea of an Asia dominated by Japan and free from any western influence. Initially, it encompassed Japan (including annexed Korea (Chōsen)), Manchukuo, and parts of China. As the Pacific War progressed, the Sphere expanded to include territories in Southeast Asia. The term was first introduced by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hachirō Arita on June 29, 1940.

The proposed objectives of this union were to ensure economic self-sufficiency and cooperation among the member states, along with resisting the influence of Western imperialism and Soviet communism. In reality, militarists and nationalists saw it as an effective propaganda tool to enforce Japanese hegemony. The latter approach was reflected in a document released by Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, An Investigation of Global Policy with the Yamato Race as Nucleus, which promoted racial supremacist theories. Japanese spokesmen openly described the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere as a device for the "development of the Japanese race." When World War II ended, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere became a source of criticism and scorn.

History

On November 3, 1938, Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hachirō Arita proposed the development of the New Order in East Asia (東亜新秩序, Tōa Shin Chitsujo), which was limited to Japan, China, and the puppet state of Manchukuo. They believed that the union had 6 purposes:

  • Permanent stability of Eastern Asia
  • Neighbourly amity and international justice
  • Joint defence against communism
  • Creation of a new culture
  • Economic cohesion and co-operation
  • World peace

The idea of the GEACPS developed from a series of issues. Japanese leaders had an imperialistic interest in securing natural resources and expanding Japan’s territory, military, and economy. In addition, they believed that Westerners treated the Japanese unfairly, out of racial and ethnic prejudice against Asians (despite themselves massacring non-Japanese Asians), and they resented the Western colonization of Asian countries as well as the discriminatory laws and sentiments against Asians in the United States of America and other Western countries.

The GEACPS seeked to incorporate all of East Asia, though this was cut short as the United States decided to drop two atomic bombs on Japan.

Members

Relations

Allies

Gallery

  • A bit lazy, sorry

    A bit lazy, sorry

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese puppet organization in Manchuria before the establishment of Manchukuo, not Fengtian Clique

See Also

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