War doesn’t whisper. It echoes.

This is WWII in Focus: Echoes Through AI — created by Hector Sanchez, U.S. Navy veteran.

In this episode, we track Japan’s rise from a secluded feudal state to a global military power, unraveling the events that transformed the island nation into one of the fiercest Axis powers of World War II. From the Meiji Restoration and its radical modernization campaign, to the industrial revolution fueled by military ambition, to the decisive victories over China and Russia — every step shaped Japan’s worldview and set the stage for full-scale conflict.

We examine the Boshin War, the Russo-Japanese War, and the formation of the Imperial Japanese Army as key catalysts. Learn how slogans like “rich nation, strong army” weren’t just national goals — they became doctrine.

As the world struggled through the Great Depression, Japan turned inward and militarized outward, with ultranationalist factions taking hold of the government and army. We dive deep into the Mukden Incident, a staged false-flag explosion that justified the invasion of Manchuria and gave rise to Manchukuo, a puppet state ruled in name by the last Chinese emperor.

The episode dissects Japan’s withdrawal from international treaties like the London Naval Treaty, and how the Kwantung Army acted with shocking autonomy, assassinating foreign leaders and provoking conflict without Tokyo’s approval. We follow this chain of escalation to the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Tripartite Pact, and Japan’s push south into Indochina.

All of it culminating in a desperate push for resources — and a calculated strike against the United States at Pearl Harbor.

If you’ve ever wondered how Japan went from isolated islands to launching one of the most infamous attacks in history, this is the episode you need.

🎧 Powered by AI. Sharpened by history.

For WWII history buffs, strategy nerds, and anyone who wants the full story behind the Pacific War’s origin.