4 jun 1937 año - Konoe becomes Prime Minister of Japan

Descripción:

Konoe Fuminaro was persuaded to take the position of Prime Minister of Japan right before the breakout of the war in China.

Importance to Japanese expansion: Konoe pushed for more expansionist views such as: abandoning the policy of international cooperation and the adoption of an ‘Asiatic Monroe Doctrine’. Later in his time as Prime Minister, Konoe manifested the path to war with China with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

International Response: The United States response to the appointment of Konoe Fuminaro was not a direct one. The manner in which the US government did respond was by recognizing Konoe’s adoption of an ‘Asiatic Monroe Doctrine’ through the Lansing-Ishii Agreement of 1917. Although the reasons for acknowledging this ‘Asiatic Monroe Doctrine’ by the US were misled, believing that Konoe’s claims were more economic than political.