The Noteworthy Great East Asia Conference

The Great East Asia Conference, an international summit held on November 5th and 6th in 1943, marked a significant event in the timeline of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The conference, also known as the Tokyo Conference, saw participation from countries that were members of the Sphere. Subash Chandra Bose, representing the Provisional Government of Free India, was present as an observer.

The New Order in Asia: An Overview

With the slogan “Asia for the Asiatics,” Japan conquered Southeast Asia. However, once Western Imperialism was overthrown, Japan began exploiting the resources of these regions for its own benefit. In Vietnam, for instance, the local Japanese authorities forcefully claimed rice and shipped it to Japan, leading to a severe starvation crisis. The conquered parts of Asia were effectively used by Japan to meet its burgeoning need for raw materials like tin, oil, and rubber, and as a market for its manufactured products.

Unraveling the Reasons Behind Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor

Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor was a preemptive military strike aimed at preventing the USA's Pacific Fleet from interfering in Japan’s planned military actions in Southeast Asia. Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Naval Base located in Honolulu, Hawaii, was targeted by over 300 Japanese aircraft. The attack resulted in substantial damage to the U.S. Navy and the loss of thousands of American lives, ultimately prompting the U.S. to enter World War II.

The information provided above would be helpful for candidates preparing for the UPSC 2020.

Related Links