Lewis H. Gann, ”Western and Japanese Colonialism”

Lewis H. Gann, "Western and Japanese Colonialism: some priliminary comparisions," Barak Kushner ed., The Thought War: Japanese Imperial Propaganda, Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2005

In my opinion, the reason why Japan colonized Taiwan and Korea was mainly Japanese leader's feeling of insecurity. Japanese politico-military leaders had been feeling of "security dilemma" against major powers. Before and even after the Russo-Japan war, they feared Russian threat and believed Russia inevitably colonized the Korean Peninsula unless Japan took it on ahead. As both Gann and Goto explained, Japanese southern advance after 1930's originally came from insecurity of lacking of natural resources. It is also "security dilemma" of Japanese leaders against UK and US. I think this insecurity feeling affected Japan's colonial ruling style. Japanese had no afford to accept local people demands or colonial autonomy because they believed securing colonies was directly connected with Japan's survival. Therefore they didn't hesitate to suppress local people.

As for economic aspect of Japanese colony management, I have slight different view from Gann. As Gann pointed out, it is fact that Japan's primary motive of expanding its colony wasn't financial one or extending overseas markets. In fact, Japan's colony management had been in the red because of investing the infrastructure. As famous journalist Ishibashi Tanzan insisted in 1920's, abandonment all colonies could be better choice economically. However, such option wasn't accepted not only military leader but also private sector, which had invested Taiwan and Korea. Many companies and public opinion didn't accept relinquishing its colonies which they invested much capital. After all Japanese government must cling to hold its colonies even if they weren't so beneficial. I think such pressure from private sector restrained Japanese policy option concerning about Colony.