1931 → idea that influence + control → should be extended over Manchuria → had gained popularity in Japan.
- Manchuria → rich in coal + iron → and was seen as perfect solution to Japans lack of natural resources.
- Japans foreign minister (at that time) → Shidehara Kijuro → who was civilian politician → with moderate views → shared this view.
- Shidehara Kijuro → was good example of how entrenched the belief → that Japan needed to expand was.
As Foreign minister → Shidehara Kijuro → had taken part in the negotiations to limit arms + was a firm supported of LON.
- even he believed → that it was right + justifiable → for Japan to expand into Manchuria.
- There were many who were far more aggressive → than Shidehara.
- Among them was Ishiwara Kanji → colonel in Kwantung Army.
- Ishiwara → was a hard-line ultranationalist → and he believed Japan should rule Manchuria.