1934 ⇒ Military had strengthened their influence within the govt.
- Military officers ⇒ could not take positions in the civil service (originally was received only for non military and civilian politicians)
Foreign affairs ministry ⇒ handed over supervision of Manchuria to military. → civilian politicians could not stop dominance of military in govt as they were too divided by party differences.
- military had increasing support of Japanese people.
- successes of Japanese military ⇒ since Meiji period, and especially in Manchuria ⇒ became source of national pride.
- emboldened military to intervene in politics and oppose civilian politicians.
Military was able to established their influence in the govt ⇒ tightening control within Japan
Militarist govt ⇒ also took action to control political life 1935 ⇒ govt carried out a campaign ⇒ ‘electoral purification’ ⇒ to remove corrupt practices within govt.
- aimed more at individuals and groups ⇒ who held views that militarist govt found unacceptable → socialism and communism
Political life changed → political life became less imp. → fewer people bothered to vote.