Japan's Big Asian Gamble - WW2 Special

Access to scarce natural resources and labor was a big reason for the Japanese to invade numerous South-East asian countries. But was that necessary? And did the benefits outweigh the risk? Let's find out!
Join us on Patreon: / timeghosthistory
Subscribe to our World War Two series: www.youtube.co...
Like TimeGhost on Facebook: / timeghost-166715135669...
Hosted by: Indy Neidell
Written by: Joram Appel
Director: Astrid Deinhard
Producers: Astrid Deinhard and Spartacus Olsson
Executive Producers: Astrid Deinhard, Indy Neidell, Spartacus Olsson, Bodo Rittenauer
Creative Producer: Maria Kyhle
Post-Production Director: Wieke Kapteijns
Research by: Joram Appel
Image Research by: Michał Zbojna
Edited by: Michał Zbojna
Sound design: Marek Kamiński
Colorizations:
Julius Jääskeläinen - / jjcolorization
Icons from The Noun Project:
asia by Ted Grajeda, clothing by Adnen Kadri, Coal by Eucalyp, Wire by Arthur Shlain, noun_Wool_2842881, noun_rock_12609, noun_rock_481051, noun_hemp_2183488, Iron Ingot by Jetro Cabau Quirós, rock by Bakunetsu Kaito, Medicine by Ladalle CS, noun_rock_481016, noun_silk_3492403, noun_Oil_3319962, Paper by Sergey Demushkin, rock by Aline Escobar, tire by Juan León, soap by Roman, noun_Wood_2177037, noun_Metal_3369307, rock by Bakunetsu Kaito, noun_Mineral_3517065
Soundtracks from Epidemic Sound:
Sights of the Tokyo Tower - Sight of Wonders
Paths of a Samurai - Mandala Dreams
Pacific Shores - Mandala Dreams
Sights of the Tokyo Tower - Sight of Wonders
Save Her - Jon Bjork
Archive by Screenocean/Reuters www.screenocea....
A TimeGhost chronological documentary produced by OnLion Entertainment GmbH.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Japan wasn't the only nation that went to war over Asia's natural resources. Indonesia was a big source of wealth for the Dutch ever since it became a colony, so The Netherlands went to war after World War Two, when the Indonesians declared their independence. We have made a whole series about the Indonesian War of Independence, including a prologue covering the colonial context (including WW2 occupation) of Indonesia. You can watch that prologue right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5yue4aIlsqCn80 Before commenting, read our rules of engagement: community.timeghost.tv/t/rules-of-conduct/4518

[@ahuskyplaythough3826]

I'm the first one:)

[@nigeh5326]

I really enjoyed your work on Indonesia as always it covered events fairly and in enough depth that those of us who weren’t aware of the conflict could understand and follow the story 👍

[@QuizmasterLaw]

"corn-you-copia"? We know you are from Texas. There is no tilde in cornucopia... and it's not a Spanish word. Someone misses his maize-corn..

[@TheGoodOne1998]

0:30 I heard a ding sound, was it intentional?

[@thomaslubben8559]

Is that a 50 star US flag rather than a 48 star? It appears to be.

[@amerigo88]

Bauxite is the primary ore that is refined to make aluminum.

[@Masada1911]

Thank you, you learn something new every day

[@amerigo88]

Refining bauxite to make aluminum requires so much energy that it always makes sense to recycle aluminum cans. Plastic and glass recycling - not so much.

[@gregsmith1548]

One can learn a great deal from hanging around this channel

[@andypants1000]

I thought it was used to make boxes

[@AndreLuis-gw5ox]

@@amerigo88 also its the reason why cheap-energy countries like Brazil export aluminium to nations like the USA and China, since its cheaper than refining the bauxite ore for them

[@thepsychicspoon5984]

As Sun Szu says, "you win first and go to war next". This really puts on the other side of that coin into perpective. "You lost this war before it started".

[@hisdudeness8328]

You only have to look at the total number of ships turned out each year between the U.S. vs Japan to know that once they failed to break America's will to fight, the war was over for Japan no matter what they did.

[@elaiej]

What you said here about the internal economies of the occupied territories is something I hadn't considered before. My grandmother grew up in the Malayan town of Serendah. She told me that during the occupation, the indian rubber tappers of the plantations were suddenly out of work without the British. She remembered seeing these people leaving the estates to go into town to beg. Her family had cleared more of the jungle to grow more food. Especially as food like rice became impossible to buy at the market (plain white rice was for special occasions, since it was usually made to go further by mixing it with sweet potato or tapioca). Noodles, and other food items were made out of extracting tapioca starch. She had told me that she didnt understand why the rubber tappers hadn't done the same as her family and cleared the forest to grow food. But I think it's because living on the plantation, the workers were entirely reliant on the company for food and supplies, and probably didnt have the means to start cultivating food when the system broke down. When she told me this story, I had assumed that the tappers were out of work because the British plantation managers left after the Japanese arrived. But you mentioned that rubber demand had fallen very substantially after the invasion, since they could no longer export to the outside world. This probably affected the viability of these plantations, which might have been brought back into production if rubber demand was high enough. (Just sharing an anecdote from my grandmother that seems relevant to this episode. When I talk to her, I'm especially interested in stuff like the food of the time, how much things costs, and what languages they spoke. Stuff you dont really get in a history textbook).

[@garcalej]

This is amazing info! Thank you for sharing it! We don’t get as often oral history accounts of what life was like in Japanese occupied zones of Asia as we do Nazi Occupied Europe. Every bit counts!

[@elaiej]

@@garcalej Thanks! I started making a habit of discretely pulling out my phone to record when she starts going off on longer stories, just so that I have some sort of record. On another food related note; She told me that at the end of the occupation, the british brought in food from overseas to resupply the market. She mentioned that at that time, there was this foreign grain that was available for a while, that she hasnt seen since. I havent been able to identify what it was, even with the power of google, and just showing her pictures of stuff like quinoa.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Cheers, thank for your sharing! Its stories like these that really give a human feeling to the history people read about in dense and dry textbooks.

[@matthewhogg5861]

Thanks for sharing. Would Malaysians feel any real similarities/connections with the Japanese? Different in most aspects of culture etc to my mind. Fellow 'Asians' might well be meaningless (if only at this time). Japanese seen as alien as the British is a possibility perhaps!

[@elaiej]

@@matthewhogg5861 I can only really speak from the Malaysian chinese experience, since that would have been what my grandparents experienced. Well, from the perspective of my grandparents. Not a lot of fondness, but I don't think they would hold modern japanese for what happened during the war. I can't really speak for the experiences of all my grandparents that well, since the occupation isnt really a pleasant topic, and they never really talked about it to us 'kids'. My maternal grandmother (the story above), is my only living grandparent left. And she has only more recently started talking to me about her life, when she realised that I am matured enough and already know what happened during the war because I have read about it on the internet. But I also think that she had a milder experience of it because she was living in a smaller town, and was quite young (around 8?) at the start of the occupation. My maternal grandfather had shared a lot of his life with my father, but not with me. I only know one story, second-hand through my grandmother; that he nearly died during the occupation. My grandfather would have been in his teens, and lived in KL. Apparently what happened was that a neighbour who didnt like him had reported him to the japanese, and he only survived because someone vouched for him. (I can only infer the context of this through my own reading, and not from my own grandparents. Refer to 'Sook Ching' on wikipedia. Basically, the Japanese at the time targeted the chinese community in southeast asia because they were seen to have supported China (both the nationalist and the communist) during the sino-japanese war). I would say that modern Malaysians, especially young people, love Japanese culture. eg. Food, anime, etc. I studied some japanese myself, and I do feel a certain connection when I can extrapolate out the middle chinese sounds in chinese-derived japanese words through my familiarity with a few chinese dialects. But for Malaysians at the time, probably a mixed bag. Collaborators did exist, especially those hoping for independence from western powers (eg. the INA). And collaborators did exist even in the chinese community too. But on the whole, with the backdrop of the sino-japanese war, I don't think that there was a sort of 'kinship' between the japanese with the chinese community as fellow 'asians' at the time.

[@LAIHOCKCHUN]

Huh. I didn't knew it was that destructive to the Japanese economy during the war. It wasn't really mentioned in the history books here in Malaysia as far as I'm aware. Thank you for the informative episode and hope you all stay safe.

[@gunman47]

It is not really well mentioned in the history textbooks in Singapore as well actually.

[@LAIHOCKCHUN]

@@gunman47 Huh interesting. Maybe it's just not that interesting in the larger context of things?

[@gunman47]

@@LAIHOCKCHUN Well simply in our history textbooks, the big picture takes priority so many small details like these are simply simplified, condensed or omitted out entirely. The most you have is a mention and simple explanation of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, but that's about it, yeah.

[@EJ_Red]

It's not that well known in history in general, it's something you have to read about for yourself

[@LAIHOCKCHUN]

True true.

[@indianajones4321]

Tojo: All in Allies: Calls the economic bluff

[@yourstruly4817]

USA: "Call and raise 30 percent of the global GDP." Japan: Surprised Pikachu face

[@indianajones4321]

@@yourstruly4817 USA: Raise you by raw materials

[@Camcolito]

Japan: We have a more advanced economy than our neighbors and so want to exploit their natural resources to maintain and extend the gap. Allies: Hey that's our job!

[@sharkronical]

The US is still in Civilian Industry

[@vksasdgaming9472]

Tojo: flush with eight high. Allies: full house with aces and kings.

[@Aramis419]

“Do you want to know more?” Come on, we needed a Starship Troopers meme there!

[@Lttlemoi]

Service guarantees citizenship!

[@EpicMRPancake]

Marines fighting off mosquitoes: "It's an ugly island, a bug island!"

[@LTBLACKCOAT]

Sudden oversupply is a new factor I never would have considered otherwise, I appreciate your in-depth look both on and off the battlefield.

[@ericgrace9995]

Who would have thought that militarists wouldn't have a firm grasp of economic realities.

[@onetwothreefour3957]

militarists? you're putting it lightly. more like mass murderers, mass rapists, war criminals and so on same as when gangsters took control of russia and started the soviet union under lenin and later stalin. bank robbers who later became mass murderers and war criminals.

[@ericgrace9995]

@@onetwothreefour3957 No argument here on that characterisation.

[@sebastienvoneldritch7245]

@@onetwothreefour3957 militarists arent always bad for assessing economic realities, the success of the Soviet economy especially under Stalin is proof of that

[@schoolssection]

@Eric Grace..So much for satire.

[@bghyst]

The US government since WWII would qualify as both militarist and very competent in economics.

[@obsidianstatue]

Japanese national strategy has always been solving a small problem by starting a bigger problem.

[@maximilianbeyer5642]

And until 1942, it worked

[@stoggafllik]

@@maximilianbeyer5642 the Americans had a minor breakthrough in 1942 at Midway that eventually proved to be vital enough to change the entire outcome of the war

[@shermanfirefly5410]

Though by this time China is already a big problem for Japan, therefore they went for something bigger XD

[@Patrick_3751]

@@stoggafllik The loss of 4 aircraft carrier was hardly a minor breakthrough, LOL

[@tigertank06]

I mean all Japan had to do was to not attack the U.S. and it would have been golden. Smh.

[@mantuacreekstudios1153]

I really appreciate the discussion of economics in the series. It's often overlooked, but can be essential in understanding the cause and course of any war. Thanks. It's odd. If you had asked me about economics 20 years ago, I would laugh at you. Now I'm fascinated by it.

[@mcmax571]

The peoples of Asia learned pretty damn quick that "Asia for the Asians" meant "Asia for the Japanese".

[@bangscutter]

Those who welcomed the Japanese as "liberators" soon realised that the Western powers who governed them before were angels compared to the brutality of the IJA.

[@nigeh5326]

@@bangscutter they also realised Westerners were not a superior race and that they could be kicked out which encouraged independence movements to fight after WW2 eg Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam

[@icedem0n326]

@@bangscutter for most of Asia yes. But honestly the ija didn't do much in Cambodia. They just walked thru haha.

[@michaelmorrismorris6113]

to put it another way Japan Uber Alles

[@ArmoredNeko]

@Agent Dovahkiin78 Japanese occupation was very brutal though. And to gather resources to support their war effort they weren't really in the mood of winning local's heart and mind. E.g. In China to suppress guerrilla activities IJA adopted a three all policy that's kill all, burn all and loot all--btw the name was coined after their own confession after the war. Western powers have done a lot of bad things, but Japanese empire really set a new record in WW2.

[@mammuchan8923]

What’s for dinner Mom? Well we still have plenty of silk and sulfer.... *groans*

[@zacherybarger6591]

In terms of resource superiority Manchuria was probably the most important jewel considering the fact it had things that the Japanese needed. Even by the end of the war if you were in Manchuria as one of the Japanese settlers or businesses you had better food and were not bombed day in and day out. Although we do have to remember that there's a difference between the Japanese in Manchuria to the Chinese in Manchuria.

[@Intercaust]

I haven't watched the video but I know two things - 1. It will be awesome 2. Indy will have a very stylish tie Edit - I was wrong about the tie.

[@jonbaxter2254]

Yes and yes.

[@vascomoreira3684]

You werent wrong bout the tie at all

[@nigeh5326]

Yes I have to agree that is one of the worst ties he’s worn

[@michaelmorrismorris6113]

Definitely not his best tie

[@WorldWarTwo]

We hope we proved you right :)

[@patricktorres4226]

Excellent analysis as usual. The economic and logistics side are decisive in total war but war histories usually focus on the strategic decisions and technological breakthroughs. In the Philippines, wartime shortages and inflation (people called the Japanese-sponsored currency "Mickey Mouse Money" because its value was a joke) drove people out of the cities to rural areas where Japanese control was weak and they could easily join the different guerilla groups that fought the occupation. Oooh. That's an idea for another special.

[@nigeh5326]

Yep Ho Chi Minh worked with the US during WW2 to rid Vietnam of the Japanese. Maybe if the US had helped his forces and encouraged them to take a more Democratic view after WW2 instead of backing the French and corrupt S Vietnam government we may not have had the horrors of the Vietnam War

[@Philip_of_Santos]

Actually, it was technological advantage of the Americans that was the nail in the coffin for the Japanese economy especially that American submarines began to wage an all out warfare against the Japanese merchant fleet. Even though they have the oil and rubber in Malaya and Dutch East Indies, their transports would have to contend against the American submarines lurking the waters of the Pacific.

[@ursodermatt8809]

@@nigeh5326 yes seemingly ho chi minh asked the usa twice for help which they ignored. ho then turned to the russians for help. the rest is history.

[@kenoliver8913]

@@nigeh5326 The reason the US backed the French was because of Europe, not Asia. They thought if the French lost Indochina the political reaction in France might bring the communists there to power. This was a time when all powers had to put their local decisions into a global context.

[@juliosalgado956]

The Axis made the colonial way of business look like it was an excellent deal.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

Yamamato (whispering) : "I saw FDR's hand, he has a pair of aces, while you only have a 2 and a 7 of different colours..." Tojo : "all in !"

[@brucetucker4847]

More like a royal flush for the US' economic hand in WW2.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

This was excellent. I had never heard about the Japanese economy during the war aside from the effect of the US submarine campaign.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

Wars prior to the 19th Century were often about acquiring wealth. I will speculate that by the time of WWI, that wasn't possible. The war would destroy more than could possibly be gained. Further, it looks like that was the issue amplified for Japan in WWII, but that wasn't realized.

[@Raskolnikov70]

I think the nations going to war in 1914 expected it to go that way, with gains in territory and better trade deals and other economic benefits. A quick and relatively bloodless war followed by a favorable settlement, like most Continental wars had previously gone. Whoops. But looking at the way Germany and Japan pursued their war goals it seems like nobody was under any illusion that they'd gain wealth quickly, painlessly or with a few signatures.

[@brucetucker4847]

They weren't, though. Religion and nationalism also played huge roles. I don't think anyone involved gained any economic benefit from the Thirty Years' War (other than private soldiers who were able to enrich themselves by looting).

[@BenGrem917]

Wars during and after the 19th century were still primarily about acquiring wealth. Nations just learned to lie and claim they were humanitarian missions.

[@kushanblackrazor6614]

Also, at the end of the day, there just wasn't enough time for Japan to extract, refine and utilize the resources they *did* pull out of SE Asia. Most of the resource areas were only occupied by 1942, and the maritime shipping needed to move any of that was started to get pulverized in 1943. Nevermind the lack of specialists on the Japanese side who knew how to fix wrecked oil derricks or even run them properly.

[@ursodermatt8809]

yes, but usually to think and plan about this before you the stupid thing.

[@HistoryHustle]

The Japanese curency in its SE Asian territories is referred to as "banana money". When visiting SE Asia today you can easily but these as souvenirs.

[@dickenstham5075]

That’s right! And that’s because of the motifs of banana trees in its 10 dollar. However this is only exclusive to Malaya and North Borneo while other Colonies have their own distinct currencies. Japanese Rupee for the Burmese, Japanese Peso for the Philippines and Japanese Rupiah for the East Indies. So Im guessing you went to Malaysia a few years ago?

[@boombler4320]

2 episodes in 2 days? You guys are spoiling us too much

[@exnihilo5087]

Well, they *_did_* take a break from the non-week-by-week episodes in late December and early January.

[@harrislai6656]

Is it only me, or does anyone notice the apple notification ding sound in between 0:30-0:31?

[@edipires15]

Yes 😂 I’m sure all Apple Users looked at their phones to see no message (I know I did)

[@Jackjones78189]

I know i looked at my phone lol

[@bombingburrito]

"The Official Idealism of every age is usually the cover story of its thefts" - Eric Weinstein. The Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity is such a great example of this idea in history.

[@ursodermatt8809]

as is the belt and silk road

[@GreaterGermanRepublic]

Theses specials are always so informative and interesting to watch.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Glad you enjoy them Ivan!

[@kyawsanmin2424]

Speaking of material shortage, a common thing elders in Burma talk about is how they used to scrub themselves with sand when bathing because the whole country ran out of soap during Japanese Occupation. Also about how horses became very lucrative for civilians because the Japanese confiscated all the cars.

[@pbh81]

Why difference would the sand make?

[@kyawsanmin2424]

@pbh81 It didn't. some people got skin infections as a result.

[@hipo1]

@@pbh81 it removes dead skin

[@markroberts9577]

Each episode continues to be a absolutely fantastic learning experience. Maybe our current generals can watch your program and learn something

[@HistoryOfRevolutions]

Fun fact: Approximately 67,000 Indian soldiers were captured by the Japanese when Singapore surrendered in 1942, many of whom later became part of the Japanese sponsored Indian National Army (INA).

[@tomfrazier1103]

Which was used as a coolie labor force and not trusted with arms in time to have an affect.

[@buckhorncortez]

Chandra Bose was an ally of Japan and led the INA to aid the Japanese in Burma.

[@georgewilliams8448]

Fascinating! Thank you for researching and presenting such a thorough and well done video. Too few people including many historians do not recognize how much economics influence history in so many ways.

[@maciejkamil]

Occupation is always devastating for economy of the occupied, but it also ties down manpower and resources of the occupier.

[@neshirst-ashuach1881]

I'd somewhat debate this, on a purely economic level, some european colonies did quite well. Hong Kong being an obvious example.

[@USSAnimeNCC-]

Japan didn’t realize yet they need to export anime and waifu

[@kglguy]

Truly, the most insidious form of conquest.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

They hadn't invented them yet as inventor of them had born 1928 and was just a child then. He would need his dosage of American cartoons and comics to invent manga and the guy who would actually get them to international markets hadn't even been born yet.

[@yourstruly4817]

"We're flexible. Pearl Harbor didn't work out so we got you with tape decks."

[@RedDragon770]

Stupid weeb

[@FlagAnthem]

@@jeffslote9671 Hokusai: am I a joke to you?

[@sleepypotato5545]

Its 1942, most of SE asia is occupied. Please do an episode about the local resistance in occupied countries. Thank you.

[@kenoliver8913]

Would be a good special especially if it covered collaboration too, of which there was quite a lot - a lot of the locals bought the Japanese propaganda, at least initially. It varied greatly by country.

[@yourstruly4817]

USA 1941: "I'm too weak...I can't hold it any longer!" USA 1944: "POWAAAAH!!!!!!!! Un...limited.... POWAAAAAH!!!!!!!"

[@jonbaxter2254]

Britain too, getting pounded by Germany in the Atlantic, Italians in Africa and Japanese in Asia.

[@3dcomrade]

USA 1944: Shermam for you, Sherman for me, Sherman for the commie screw your industry

[@nigeh5326]

@@3dcomrade what the last part doesn’t make sense

[@3dcomrade]

@@nigeh5326 typo, thanks for correcting man

[@nigeh5326]

@@3dcomrade I meant Sherman for the commie screw your industry my friend

[@brokenbridge6316]

I remember reading up on the Japanese offensives after their attack at Pearl Harbor and my book mentioned they soon began suffering from something called "Victory Disease" and had they suffered from it less and dug in a lot more they might have been far more difficult to dislodge when the allies eventually attacked them. Not that it was a cake walk to begin with. But that really makes me think sometimes. Great video.

[@nigeh5326]

But the military were running the show and the culture of bushido wasn’t really about defence. The Japanese idea of honour meant that Japanese commanders concentrated on military targets instead of taking in the larger picture and also defending their own merchant ships to ensure supplies to Japan itself whereas the Allies took every opportunity to destroy Japanese merchant ships to weaken the economy and hence weaken the military too

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@nigeh5326---Still they had a choice. Someone could've taken in the bigger picture. They chose to continue and paid dearly for it.

[@jjt1881]

Excellent Indy, a much-needed economic point of view that has rarely if ever been mentioned in history. I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks Jj!

[@northkoreancomander8699]

Please do a video on the resistance of Korea, Vietnam,Malaysia or the Philippines these topics are not talked enough and should be fleshed out for a wider scope on the Pacific theater and the sino Japanese war

[@tomfrazier1103]

Living in America, the Filipino resistance is pretty well known.

[@northkoreancomander8699]

@@tomfrazier1103 wow I live in nw America and I was never taught this so we must of had different education

[@tomfrazier1103]

I grew up in California before moving to Hawaii, and have known East and S.E. Asian people my life entire.

[@northkoreancomander8699]

@@tomfrazier1103 same here (not the part about living in cal or haw)

[@nicolasfantin6341]

Awesome vídeo! I hope that You can cover also the industrial situations in Germany and Italy too, it is a subject with very little attention from The public in general.. greetings from Argentina guys!

[@dgliniecki123]

Excellent production and research.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks!

[@principalityofbelka6310]

The forced labor used by the Japanese Empire is one of the worst atrocities committed by them during their occupation of Southeast Asia, it's still being taught in schools as an example of Japanese Imperialism which is arguably worse than 350 years of European colonialism. Edit: I say arguably because there are opinions out there that says the Europeans are worse or the Japanese are worse but in my opinion all of them are the same. Whether it's European colonialism or Japanese imperialism because in the end my countrymen are enslaved by them

[@Davey-Boyd]

What is your country my friend? As an Englishman myself I agree with you, I am not proud of my country's past, and both imperialism and colonialism are both bad. Though dare I say that the way imperial Japan treated its subjects was far worse than under British occupation. And yes the British were bad it cannot be denied. Best wishes.

[@3dcomrade]

@@Davey-Boyd Indonesia. Im an Indonesian so can confirm. Even propaganda textbook of Muhammadiyah. Says they are RESTRAINED when the Dutch rule, but the Japanese straight up try to DESTROY them

[@reggiekoestoer1511]

A fellow countryman from wkwkland? Yes it was always said that 3.5 years of Japanese occupation felt worse than 350 years of European colonization. On the other hand I kinda understand that it was because it was during an all out war and they needed to suck all the resources they can get before the Allies retaliate. But still the forced labours (romusha? As our granparents told us) were an atrocity to mankind, apart from the massive economic downfall brought upon us by the occupation.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

I guess the difference is in imperialism and colonialism. Colonialism aims to settle and spread home country to colonies (or whatever is term) while imperialism seeks to exploit those areas and pull from there towards home country. Neither usually happens peacefully and there is significant overlapping.

[@vinzentmeier3040]

Quality content! Those more economy focused episodes are always interesting. Maybe you could some day do some special about the soviet streams of revenue / material besides lend lease?

[@WorldWarTwo]

We will most certainly do that.

[@joeyjamison5772]

Japan: "What is ours is ours. What is yours is negotiable."

[@101jir]

I mean that's expansionism in a nutshell.

[@SneedEnjoyer]

What does Britain and USA say then?

[@firemangan2731]

@@SneedEnjoyer Both said “Thats Bullshit!” simultaneously.

[@jirachi-wishmaker9242]

Present day China(PRC)

[@douglasfur3808]

"To understand politics, follow the money."

[@Ardunafeth]

I really like this statistical approach.

[@kenoliver8913]

Whether peace or war, it is simply not possible to understand grand strategy without understanding the underlying economics. If you want to know what drove Hitler, for example, read Adam Tooze.

[@asdafkgmify]

Was that a starship troopers reference? "Do you want to know more?"

[@veitdalee4810]

Weird, I've just seen the new Cinema Sins video about that movie

[@kleinweichkleinweich]

@@veitdalee4810 me too

[@bludfyre]

lol I just commented that also

[@brucetucker4847]

That movie is an underappreciated masterpiece.

[@matthewg.305]

I really love these specials that focus on the economic conditions in the prewar period and during the war. They really show the importance of studying political-economies.

[@tomfrazier1103]

I have some copies of the Manila Tribune in which "Co-Prosperity" window blinds are advertised for sale, made of "Pre-war" components.

[@hadiferlan3760]

It is said that during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, they made a forced laborer system named Romusha, more violent than what the Dutch did to Indonesia for 300 years.

[@HistoryHustle]

That's true, although initially the invading Japanese were seen as liberators by the Indonesians. That soon changed.

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

well, given that the Gulags were probably created based on the old Czarist prisons, it can be quite possible it was worse under the Japanese, some say they made the Nazis be angel like compared to them, which is bs: both were really bad, specially in the medical experiments and massacres.

[@muhamadvidifaizal2600]

All thanks to Sukarno for mobilising millions of civilians to join Jawa Hokokai

[@Cancoillotteman]

In the words of Tony Stark : "Not a great plan"

[@ottovalkamo1]

8:55 Also I read in Sarah C. Paine's Wars for Asia 1911-1949, that Japan in October 1941 had about 9 million tons of petroleum designed for ships, aircraft and other army related stuff, and their navy burned anywhere from 450-500 thousand tons of petroleum+aircraft per month, thus the Japanese had a maximum of about 18 months of fuel to work with

[@alanbrener2718]

Brilliant video - well done to the TG Team!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks Alan! We really appreciate the support.

[@avidficreader5040]

Japan went all-in on believing their own exceptionalist hype, and their strategic planning was always about the most favorable conditions, with little to no thought given to enemy actions and contingencies. As wildly successful as their late 1941-early 1942 offensives are overall, they still suffer setbacks for overconfidence and overreach, especially as mentioned at the Bataan campaign and the Battle of the Points. Even Ichi-Go, in 1944, despite being a massive offensive, had little in the way of strategic aims. It was a last ditch effort to do as much damage as possible with their remaining military assets in the China-Burma-India Theater.

[@nigeh5326]

Believing your own hype is a common feature of all nations especially imperialist and expansionist countries such as France, the UK and the USA.

[@benjaminhaslam3152]

But the thing is though what other choice did Japan have? They were stuck in a stalemate in China and the US were putting more and more restrictions on Japanese trade. They had basically two options. Stop the war in China, paramount to surrender or go all in and hope to win in a quick lightning war. So really they had to go all in and hope for victory when there was no other option

[@Philip_of_Santos]

Actually they should have already realize that they are not invincible when they were dragged in an attrition warfare in China against the Nationalist and also the two humiliating defeats against the Soviets just before the start of the Second World War. However, it was the army who were primarily engaged in the conflicts so they suffered these blunders and not the navy who believe that they are invincible against the navies of the West. In Bataan, you have to understand that the Japanese forces that were tasked on defeated the USAFFE are not of the best quality and were actually outnumbered by the defenders. If not for the over confidence of the allies and over stretched of their forces in the Far East especially the British and the Dutch, they could actually halted the Japanese advance along the Malay Barriers. IF they have a strong fleet to content against the Japanese, which were destroyed or damaged in Pearl Harbor and off coast Malaya, (Prince of Wales)

[@ToddSauve]

Pride comes before a fall.

[@kenoliver8913]

I understood the aim of Ichi-Go was to keep the B29 airfields in China out of range of Japan - in which it succeeded. But they lost Saipan, Tinian etc at the same time which meant the B29s no longer needed China.

[@XmungaM]

Amazing! I have heard many times that Japan wanted the resource rich lands in south east Asia but I could never find numbers on just how resource rich that area actually was. I've have spent a good amount of time looking for these stats so thank you very much for finally satisfying that curiosity in this episode! If you could provide sources for those numbers, I would greatly appreciate it.

[@keiranallcott1515]

I would like to mention two things , first of all I would love to see a special about the blockade of Japan during world war 2 as it is barely mentioned and also is overshadowed by the battle of the Atlantic. The second is that before world war 2 , tungsten which was also known as pig iron was supplied to Japan from Australia. In the late 30s , the then prime minister Robert “Bob”Menzies still continued to export pig iron to Japan and got the nickname pig iron bob as a consequence

[@porksterbob]

The blockade of Japan special would make more sense 2 years from now.

[@keiranallcott1515]

@@porksterbob that actually started immediately with the first us subs leaving Pearl harbour !, it took some time to get to where it was but it had to deal with setbacks , logistics and especially faulty torpedoes

[@keiranallcott1515]

Your still correct as it was early 1944 that I had stated to show devastating effect to the point that the ijn had to place its capital ships close to the oil refineries of the Dutch East Indies

[@keiranallcott1515]

And btw , I was on a quiz show covering that area as a contestant

[@joef.7192]

Hello Indie and team! I just wanted to say that your videos are engaging, interesting, powerful, very well made and above all incredibly important. I am very much a believer that we must keep our history alive so we do not repeat the same mistakes again. Thank you for your work and I look forward to any and all future content/projects from Time Ghost! Keep up the good work and I intend on becoming a Patreon Time Ghost army member as soon as I am able. Thank You again! Best Regards and well wishes from NJ-USA! :)

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you so much for even considering becoming a patreon! We love making this show and every little bit that people can give helps us achieve that goal!

[@66kbm]

Excellent and very informative. Thank you.

[@WorldWarTwo]

We're glad you enjoy our work, keep up the support!

[@nageeb96]

very good way to show why things happen even if it makes no sense. crazy world we live in and it keeps on going crazier. even now !

[@mgr9699]

Indy 2021: IT’S THE ECONOMY STUPID!

[@bludfyre]

Bill Clinton Easter egg

[@kenoliver8913]

That's Marxism in one sentence - and about the only point on which Marx was right.

[@dieterkim8295]

hey Indy I have watched your show since the Great War. I was wondering if you could do a special episode on Korean Independence movement during the Second World War, such as the Korean Independence Army

[@jackwmith8445]

The Japanese did defeat the British, Dutch and Americans and at least in Malaya and Indonesia this defeat of the colonialists was widely welcomed. Japan did allow nationalist anti-Western leaders to declare independence and instead just took the place of the former imperialists (in loco imperialis). The rhetoric was co-prosperity but Japan was just wanted resources. This being said, neither the Dutch nor British would success reclaim t(Hong Kong would have to wait) their lost colonies. Japan destroyed the myth of Western invincibility.

[@naveenraj2008eee]

Hi Indy and team Nice data and information.. Great content.. Kudos to your work.. You should have collected these data in painstaking manner.. Thanks for educating us about past history..🙏

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks a lot Naveen! Always a pleasure to read one of your comments. Hope your chickens are doing well.

[@naveenraj2008eee]

@@WorldWarTwo Thanks for scrolling my video... My chickens long gone... Only nostalgia.. Been big fan of your team.. Want to meet you guys some day..

[@DMS-pq8]

Imagine how bad it would have been for the Japanese if the Americans hadn't had crappy torpedoes the 1st couple years of the war

[@rajyavardhan9481]

3:57 Subash Chandra Bose whoa!

[@David_T]

Who lost all of his credibility for being an ardent Nazi sympathizer. Seriously, how much Indian independence was he going to get under the Nazi or Tojo regime's boots if they won? I agree with his anti British stance and his ideology of an independent democratic India, but you don't make a deal with the devil. If you go to the Wikipedia article on him there is a picture of him shaking hands with Hitler in 1942. How could he not understand that he was just trading one task master for another?

[@rajyavardhan9481]

@@David_T I agree with you my comment However deals with my feelings of shock and awe seeing him with the axis powers.

[@David_T]

@@rajyavardhan9481 I think they should do a special biography on Bose since he represents a very complex voice of Indian independence during the 1930's and 1940's.

[@rajyavardhan9481]

@@David_T I couldn't agree more, they should

[@David_T]

@Based Bose At least it was a British citizen (Ian Stephens) that exposed the famine and was able to help bring it to an end. General Archibald Wavell also pleaded with Churchill for food to stop the famine. No excuse for starting it though. This would be a good topic for the "War Against Humanity" series.

[@pellejoens7886]

I think Paul Kennedy (The Rise and Fall of Great Powers) says everything: A breakdown of total global war making potential in 1937 as a percent looks something like this: United States-41 percent; Germany-14.4 percent; USSR-14.0 percent; UK-10.2 percent; France-4.2 percent; Japan-3.5 percent; Italy-2.5 percent; Seven Powers (total)- (90.5 percent).

[@oLii96x]

Great book

[@oLii96x]

Japan with only 3,5 percent was pretty effective :D

[@matthewhogg5861]

Unsure what war making potential is exactly, but this series has well shown the madness and/or incompetence of Axis national leadership for grand strategy. And so far it has all been on their own initiative too...

[@davidkrause4327]

Another great episode. So much of what we see on WWI focuses on Europe, it's good to see an examination of the Pacific Theater.

[@AndyRhodes1]

@World War Two - I have watched many of your videos in the past. This one is especially good. Very informative and insightful. I teach world history and economics to high schoolers. I plan to use this video in both courses to demonstrate to students how important economics is in affecting human decisions, ordinary experiences, and livelihood on an individual, communal, and international scale.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you very much for your kind words!! Your support in such way means a lot to us!!

[@razorbird789]

Fantastic episode!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks John, we're glad you enjoyed it.

[@CzePiaroh]

So how did the Allies overcome the sudden loss of resources in Southeast Asia? No tanks without rubber. Hoping for an episode on this!

[@isaiahschmitt8680]

synthetic rubber mostly.

[@fleeingdutchman8883]

they start making synthetic rubber

[@brucetucker4847]

They also stopped making tires for the civilian market. The purpose of the severe rationing of gasoline in the US was to save tires, not gas - the US had more than enough petroleum, as is mentioned in the video.

[@briantarigan7685]

Ah yes, the japanese propaganda that always being taught in our school Jepang Cahaya Asia (light of asia) Jepang Pemimpin Asia (leader of asia) Jepang Pembebas Asia ( liverator of asia) Indonesians, who live under the yoke of dutch colonialism certainly had a high hope, especially since they are fellow asians, but, well,in 3,5 years indonesian suffers the most among southeast asian, even have the second largest death in pacific war, due to starvation and japanese athrocities.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

There was also world's primary source of quinine which was only available cure for malaria which more or less equals tropical climate. Japanese dominion in East-Indies hastened research on full synthesis of quinine in US and strangely enough malaria killed lots of Japanese despite them sitting on the supply of it.

[@Yorkington]

What is quinine?

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@Yorkington It is medicine extracted from bark of cinchona-tree. First antimalarial medicine there ever was. Bitter. Glows under UV-light. Originally from South-America and Dutch (with some cunning plans) had established large plantations in East-Indies to grow it. Most of world's quinine still comes from East-Indies. Very important at battling malaria during WW2. Long story and fascinating as well.

[@darthcalanil5333]

it's the economic trap that many countries (especially the authoritarian ones) fell into. The false theory of a self-sustaining economy. In almost every such case where the country thought that going to war to control the actual resources themselves is better than trading for them, it proved devastatingly wrong. From communism to NAZI Germany to many cases of french and British colonialism and of course Imperial Japan, and even going back centuries in history, it was always the case that a long term friendly trade is infinitely better than war.

[@AndreLuis-gw5ox]

Its must be said tho that self-sustaining economies, as problematic a proposition as it is, was thought to be not only attainable but desirable because it was the model of the leading european powers and the USA: direct control over strategic raw resources for the industry, control of some favorable trade agreements and markets, etc

[@darthcalanil5333]

@@demonprinces17 Britain had such a noticeable success because the British colonial system was more or less about building a functioning nation (that is still favourable to the empire), however even by the turn of the 20th century, it was becoming more and more expensive and less profitable to keep holding direct control over the colonies. Compare that to the French and the German empires in the mid19th c.; France's model was about making the colonies an extension of the homeland itself and never bothered with building functioning local governments, and in the same period the German empire didn't have any colonies to speak of. Yet whether economically, politically or militarily, it never looked like France was superior in any way to Germany. The British were unique in regard to their colonial empire in that they quickly learned from the experience with the 13 American colonies, and decided that building functioning nations that can (favourably) trade with the homeland is a far better alternative to direct imperial rule. Still, that's no justification for British colonialism, but it is how history happened.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

Something emblematic about Japan not being as industrialised as it wished it was. The Zero fighter was built in a factory that didn't have an airstrip. But the fighter was too delicate to be moved by truck, and building a railroad from the factory to the nearest airfield was not possible. So the planes were towed by oxens to reach the airstrip.

[@matteoorlandi856]

not a surprise. how can you expect to feed an army in an hostile country if you can't feed it even at home? in italy the soldiers had the smalles rations of all the axis powers, my uncle was starving even before going into soviet union because the rations were so low, he and his comerades had to burn trough theyr (few) ammo to hunt deers to eat, in the homeland, in 1941. things got only worse after. and then he was imprisoned by the germans in 1943 and sent to a coal mine where he would eat 2 (TWO) beat leeves each day as ration. no idea how he came back. they trully were the strongest generation ever existed.

[@andrewwyatt8445]

Very interesting. I had no idea on the economy of the Japanese empire. Can we have a follow up please explaining how the US was able to militarise so quickly with Japan now occupying a large percentage of the world’s rubber, tin, etc? I’m guessing the industrial potential and war economy allowed for the quick development of new resources and efficiency innovations.

[@shawnr771]

One of the things that contributed to the US economy was rationing and recycling. There were community drives to collect old tires, batteries, metals even cooking grease that was used in explosives. Raise a Hemp Garden for Victory.

[@ENiceGeo]

I think there was a way to make some kind of synthetic replacement for rubber.

[@shawnr771]

@@ENiceGeo  ACS is committed to helping combat the global COVID-19 pandemic with initiatives and free resources. Learn More U.S. Synthetic Rubber Program National Historic Chemical Landmark Dedicated August 29, 1998, at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, and the following contributing corporations: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, The B. F. Goodrich Company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, United States Rubber Company. Commemorative Booklet (PDF) When the natural rubber supply from Southeast Asia was cut off at the beginning of World War II, the United States and its allies faced the loss of a strategic material. With U.S. government sponsorship, a consortium of companies involved in rubber research and production united in a unique spirit of technical cooperation and dedication to produce a general purpose synthetic rubber, GR-S (Government Rubber-Styrene), on a commercial scale. In Akron and other U.S. locations, these companies, in collaboration with a network of researchers in government, academic, and industrial laboratories, developed and manufactured in record time enough synthetic rubber to meet the needs of the U.S. and its allies during World War II. www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/syntheticrubber.html

[@pbh81]

I don't think the numbers for 1943 and 44 and your conclusions mean much without including us submarines activity. I think it would make a great and interesting special episode to focus on us submarines activity in the Pacific. We are very familiar with the u boats and the battle of Atlantic but little comment is made about the american war on Japanese logistics

[@lucinae8512]

0:30 I thought that was phone. Don't forget to turn them off before having a discussion!

[@BarnacleButtock]

lmao at the bell notification going off perfectly on time.

[@airborngrmp1]

Neither Germany nor Japan naturally possessed the resources required to prosecute an open ended Great Power War. Despite this fact, both Germany and Japan provoked regional wars over their expansionist and superiority ideologies (increasingly finding themselves denied access to other Nations' markets and resources over official disapproval of their regional belligerence) and then deliberately broadened those conflicts to a Global Total War (comprising a united alliance of the most powerful, self-sufficient economies in the world amongst their enemies) all in order to obtain the resources the Axis is in desperate need of acquiring...to then successfully prosecute the war? It sounds like they needed to win the War to be in the position to then fight it. Also, neither Axis country was ever in any position to offer any material aid of any military significance to the other at any point of the war. With such an absurdly weak opening position it's kind of shocking that it took as long as it did to defeat them.

[@melgross]

“I hate that bell!” I love the sentiment.

[@samdumaquis2033]

Great description

[@James-de2hp]

Jeez your videos are thorough and love it! Brilliant amount of actual stats.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonylittlefield7402]

The movie "The Forgotten Army" now playing on Amazon Prime is a good account of the relationship between the Japanese Army and the Indian Nation Army.

[@ieuanhunt552]

The Japanese fell into the sunk cost fallacy hard during WW2 Didnt they.

[@firingallcylinders2949]

That's common for many Armies to do.

[@climax050]

That’s a pretty decent summary of like most of the war now I think about it 🤷‍♂️

[@LumpusKrampus]

The little "ding" in the opener was the peice de resistance.

[@ShadowDragon1848]

Super interesting episode!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks Daniel! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ShadowDragon1848]

@@WorldWarTwo Yeay, it is a really interesting topic. This and your video about the Nazi leadership system are in my opinion the best videos I watched. The next big thing could be a "second part" about the NS economy. You made a video in Between two wars about that topic.

[@danielgreen3715]

Make believe Ecenomic dreams or a twisted experiment When you can sum up a subject like this in such a short video so well we are all watching a Master Smith! Thankyou DG

[@zenden6564]

Thankyou Indie & the team ❤ This was a modern masterpiece of the historical genre! What is not so curious I suppose is the Japanese Militarists started it all off with "an excellent adventure" in China. It didn't meet the original objective, then the "project timeline over-ran", then developed over-reach to deal with difficulties and to cover a staggering loss of face. At no stage did the Militarists' conclude, hey this model won't scale, let's look at Plan-B. So the Militarists, concluded "logically" hey, what we need is more militarianism, total war, let's bet the farm on World domination, etc., etc. Ignoring the Japanese saying that goes: a (translated) "sword is best kept in its scabbard..."

[@_ArsNova]

"Destroying the economies of Southeast Asia" seems like a strange way to phrase what happened during WWII. Because yes that may be technically correct, it's not as if those economies were really benefitting it's native peoples. The vast majority of that "lost GDP", and GDP that wasn't even lost, was being used to benefit the imperial overlords of the British, Dutch, and French, long before Japan ever attempted to acquire those resources for itself. The people there, while maybe worse off under the Japanese, were still always destitute second or third-class peasants under their British, Dutch, or French masters.

[@Funica11]

Japan is an isolated island in the Far East, and Asia's liberation from Western powers is definitely worth it. There is nothing on the Kamchatka Peninsula, but many on the other side, in East Asia. If Japan kicks out Western colonialists and builds the Great East Asian Co-Prosperity Union, it will be a huge benefit not only for Japan but also for the whole Asia.

[@youtefhy]

Definitely not worth it, the west would automatically start a war with Japan and win anyways.

[@butchcoolidge8031]

Got to say your productions are remarkable! Watched all your Great War episodes and now these. I hope Time Ghost can continue to grow and produce greater content!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you so much. It's because of our incredible TimeGhost Army on Patreon that we're able to employ professional editors, graphic designers, and researchers. As it grows, we should be around for even better projects long into the future!

[@Briguy1027]

Fascinating take on the Co-prosperity sphere. I never realized that it wasn't workable, even as a one-sided deal for Japan.

[@bangscutter]

In short, Japan's gamble failed disastrously. They would have been better off just trading to get the resources they want, rather than go to war and forcibly take them. The US would likely remain a neutral sleeping giant if Japan hadn't poked the hornet's nest.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

I guess it is that mentality of "manly" taking by force instead of "effeminately" asking.

[@porksterbob]

The Japanese would have had to leave China to keep trading.... Which they weren't willing to do.

[@beachboy0505]

Great video

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks!

[@AnakBuahBuggy]

I hope Mr. Spartacus Olsson would feature the topic about "Romusha", Japanese force labor system in the War against humanity series. #neverforget

[@WorldWarTwo]

We will

[@eskimojoe37]

Very informative on economics of WWII Japan, thanks!

[@yamchadragonball6983]

This is what happens in strategy games when you boom incorrectly. What you really want in those games is a high income but low idle resources. You can end up in the situation where you just simply lack the production to spend your newfound wealth.

[@MarcDufresneosorusrex]

The objectives of the IJA command was so over the top ; love it. Corporate over reach? no problem, government over reach? no problem. kill as many as possible? we're in!.. kinda reminds you of Coid.. wait i mispelled that

[@linnharamis1496]

Great episode- thank you!👍👍

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you for your kind words Linn!

[@VTPSTTU]

Thank you for these videos!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you for watching!

[@rabihrac]

I feel they were literally blinded by their military superiority... And I am convinced more than ever that "evil self destroys" if I want to put a philosophy of life note here

[@shawnr771]

Unfortunately it takes a lot of good and innocent people with it.