Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
|
|
The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亜共栄圏 dai-tōa-kyōeiken) was an attempt by Japan to create a bloc of Asian nations free of influence from Western nations. It is remembered today largely as a front for the Japanese control of Axis-occupied countries during World War II, in which puppet governments manipulated local populations and economies for the benefit of wartime Japan.
The idea of the Co-Prosperity Sphere was announced by Foreign Minister of Japan Matsuoka Yosuke in 1 August, 1940 in a press interview, but went back many years. Leaders in Japan—then, as now, the richest country in the region—had long been interested in the idea, partly to extend Japanese power and partly to free Asia from being colonies of European countries.
As part of its war drive, Japanese leaders spoke of "Asia for Asians" and the need to liberate Asian countries from imperialist powers. In some cases they were welcomed when they invaded neighboring countries, driving out the British and French armies. In general, however, the subsequent brutality and the hardship of war led to the Japanese being regarded no better and in some cases much worse than Western colonists. The Co-Prosperity Sphere collapsed with Japan's downfall.
See also: