Japan defeated China in 1895 and Russia in 1905, in battles over who should dominate Korea.
Japan joined the allies against Germany in 1914-18 in a struggle to control a portion of China and then conquered Manchuria in 1931 in an effort to secure a land area rich in raw materials.
The chronological order of territories that Japan took control over-
Hokkaido – 1869
Kuril Islands – 1875–1945
Ryukyu Islands – 1879–1945
Nanpō Islands – 1891–1945 & since 1968
Taiwan and the Penghu Islands – 1895–1945
Minami-Tori-shima – 1898–1945 & since 1968
Karafuto (South Sakhalin) – 1905–1945
Kwantung Leased Territory – 1905–1945
Korea – 1910–1945
Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory – formerly of German Empire – 1914–1922
