Territorial Expansion

1. First Sino-Japanese War (1895): Japan’s victory initiated its colonial pursuits, resulting in early territories like Taiwan.
2. Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Japan’s success further solidified its influence over Korea and southern Sakhalin.
3. World War I (1914-1918): The Japanese Empire seized German colonial possessions in the Pacific, expanding its territorial reach significantly.
4. Manchuria (1931): The invasion led to the establishment of Manchukuo, emphasizing Japan's intention to create puppet states in conquered regions.

Methods of Control

1. Puppet States: The Japanese governance model involved installing puppet regimes, particularly in Manchukuo, to maintain control while appearing to grant autonomy.
2. Forced Assimilation: Japan aimed to cultivate a "model colony" in Taiwan through modernization and forced cultural assimilation from 1895 to 1945.
3. Economic Exploitation: Colonial policies involved heavy investment in infrastructure while exploiting local resources, as seen in Korea and Manchukuo, facilitating state-driven economic development.

Legacy and Aftermath

1. End of Empire (1945): With Japan’s defeat in WWII, its colonial rule concluded, leading to the return of territories and the restructuring of regional power dynamics.
2. Human Rights Violations: The Japanese colonial period is marred by extensive human rights abuses, with lasting impacts on national identities and inter-state relations in East Asia.
3. Post-Colonial Development: The legacy of Japanese governance has influenced the economic pathways of former colonies, particularly Korea’s rapid post-war development aided by initial industrialization efforts during colonial rule.