A study of the origins and nature of Japanese imperialism from the Sino-Japanese War until its collapse following World War II. The author describes how Japan's aims were influenced by growing industrialization and its experience of Western imperialism.

Introduction: explanations of Imperialism --The Treaty Port System and Japan -- Modernization and Imperialism -- Intervention in Korea, 1894-1895 -- The Peace Settlement with China, 1894-1896 -- New Imperialism and the War with Russia, 1895-1905 -- Formal and informal Empire in North-east Asia, 1905-1910 -- Chinese Revolution and World War -- Overseas trade and investment, 1895-1930 -- Japan's Territorial Dependencies, 1895-1930 -- The Treaty Port System in jeopardy, 1918-1931 -- The making of Manchukuo, 1931-1932 -- Japan's New Order in North-east Asia -- Advance to the South -- The greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere -- Conclusion: the nature of Japanese Imperialism.