In 1938 the Japanese military proclaimed a 'New Order in East Asia' called a Co-Prosperity Sphere in which Japan, as the center of an industrial bloc comprising Manchuria, Korea, and North China (Inner Ring), would draw from the rich colonies of Southeast Asia (Region of Supplies) the raw materials it needed, while inspiring them to friendship and alliance by destruction of their previous imperialistic masters.

But, in practice, 'East Asia for the Asiatics', Japan's slogan, turned out to mean 'East Asia for Japan' replacing one imperialism for one which was far worse.

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