How did Japanese propaganda justify the invasion of China?

Japanese propaganda justified the invasion of China by portraying it as a mission to liberate Asia from Western imperialism.

In the lead up to and during the invasion of China, Japanese propaganda played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and justifying the military's actions. The Japanese government propagated the idea of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", a concept that was presented as a pan-Asian bloc free from Western influence. This was used to legitimise Japan's expansionist policies, with the invasion of China portrayed as a necessary step towards achieving this vision.

The Japanese media, controlled by the government, consistently depicted China as a chaotic and unstable country in need of Japanese intervention. They emphasised the corruption and inefficiency of the Chinese government, and contrasted it with the order and discipline of the Japanese state. This narrative served to dehumanise the Chinese and legitimise the invasion as a mission of civilisation and order.

Furthermore, the Japanese government used historical and racial arguments to justify the invasion. They claimed that Japan, as the most advanced and powerful nation in Asia, had a natural right and duty to lead the continent. They also argued that the Japanese and Chinese were racially related, and that Japan was merely reclaiming its 'lost' territories.

The propaganda also played on nationalistic sentiments and the desire for economic security. The invasion was presented as a way to secure resources and markets for Japan, which was suffering from economic depression and resource scarcity. The government promised that the conquest of China would bring prosperity and security to the Japanese people.

In essence, Japanese propaganda justified the invasion of China by presenting it as a mission of liberation, civilisation, and economic security. It exploited historical, racial, and nationalistic sentiments to gain public support for the war. However, these justifications were largely a façade to cover the imperialistic ambitions of the Japanese government.