Growing influence of military ⇒ caused civilian politicians political power to diminish.
- Japanese supported military officers + their expansionist plans.
1937 ⇒ Prince Konoe Fumimaro ⇒ appointed as PM
- military led invasion into china
- also permitted formation of cabinet planning office > made up of mostly military officers
- shifted control of Japans finances from civilian govt into hands of the military.
army minister ⇒ General Tojo Hideki ⇒ took over as PM
- signalled military’s total control over Japanese govt