The reasons why Japan entered into war with Russia in 1904.

The primary reason for Japan to go to war with Russia was to check the Russian expansion in the Far East, especially in Korea and Manchuria. A second important reason was the Anglo-Japanese Affiance which enabled Japan to confront Russia on more equal terms. Other incidental factors also had influence, but they were of less importance.

Anti-Russian sentiment - the Japanese had no liking of the Russians who intruded into Japan in the mid-century alongside with other westerners. When Commodore Perry was threatening Japan to sign an unequal treaty, the Russian Admiral Putiatin had already anchored his vessels in Nagasaki (January 1854). Russia followed the American example and signed similar unequal treaties with Japan.
Anti-Russian sentiment came to a head with the Triple Intervention in 1895. Russia, France, and Germany “advised” Japan to return the Liaotung Peninsula to China for the sake of’ “the peace of the Far East”. There was massive indignation against such intervention, but the Japanese had to bear the unbearable. Within the next three years, however, Russia took over the Liaotung Peninsula as her sphere of influence. Such action made Russia a hypocrite and created the most perturbation in Japan. Alongside with other Russian advances in the Far East, the Russian threat to Japan was immense by the end of the 19th century. Probably the great majority of the Japanese felt that a struggle with Russia was inevitable.

Russian advances in the Far East - having acquired the Maritime Provinces in 1860, Russian power came as far south as the northern boundary of Korea. Two regions were open to further Russian expansion - Manchuria and Korea. The motives were both political and strategic. Politically, the Russian presence on the northern boundary of China would certainly enhance her influence on Peking by virtue of geopolitics. Strategically, the Russians were always looking for ice-free naval bases in the Pacific. For these reasons, Russia took several steps to further her interests in the Far East.

Russian activities in Manchuria - between 1895 and 1898, Russia made Manchuria her sphere of influence. Firstly, through the Triple Intervention, she stopped Japan from penetrating into southern Manchuria. Then, she signed a secret Sino-Russian Treaty with the Ch’ing Dynasty in 1896. This allowed her to construct the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) across Manchuria. Thirdly, in 1898, she leased Port Arthur and Dairen from China, and linked up the two ports with the CER by the South Manchurian Railway (SMR). These gains, in addition to many others, made Manchuria a Russian sphere of influence.

In 1900, Russia disclosed her true intention in Manchuria by taking advantage of the Boxer Uprising. She sent troops into the region on the pretext of protecting her interests and railways there. When the Boxer trouble was over, the Russians refused to withdraw. This action aroused international opposition and was a main reason that prompted Britain to conclude the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

Russian activities in Korea - the Russian policy towards Korea was entirely political - to increase her influence in the Far East. In 1896, the Russians were able to secure timber-cutting and mining concessions along the Yalu river. Furthermore, Russia aided Korea to reorganize her army and set up a Russo-Korean Bank. Once Russia established her control in Manchuria by 1898, the Russian threat to Korea and Japan was greater than before.

Japan’s reaction to Russian advances - such Russian advances alarmed Japan, causing Japan inevitably to become the primary opponent of Russia in the Far East. Japan was most concerned with the issue of Korea which was important to her interest in several ways. economically, strategically, and politically. After defeating China in 1895, Japan continued to build up her influence in Korea. In essence, while Japan could afford to forego Manchuria, she would fight for Korea rather than to see a strong European power established there. In the words of her Foreign Minister, “Japan possesses paramount political and commercial interest and influence in Korea which she cannot consent to surrender or share with any power.”

At first, Japan’s policy was to compromise with Russia in order to avoid war if Russia recognized her supremacy in Korea in exchange for the Russian presence in Manchuria. As such, in 1896 and 1898, two Russo-Japanese agreements were reached over Korea. Yet these failed to stop Russian activities in the region. In the meantime, after the humiliation of the Triple Intervention, Japan accelerated her industrial and military build-up. For instance, the number of Japanese warships increased from 28 (1894) to 76 (1903). Such preparations undoubtedly strengthened the Japanese attitude towards Russia. A militant spirit was growing in Japan.

Anglo-Japanese Alliance 1902 - not only Japan was concerned with the Russian expansion, so was Britain. Negotiations took place between the two countries and the result was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Though defensive in nature, the Alliance strengthened Japan’s diplomatic position. It ensured that in the event of war with Russia Japan could rely on the neutrality of Britain and on active British participation should another power. for example, France, Russia’s ally-enter the war on Russian side. At the same time, it hardened Japanese sentiment towards Russia. Even the moderates in Japan were emboldened to refuse any unfavourable compromise with Russia over Korea. In these perspectives, the Alliance was a further cause for the Russo-Japanese War.

Final showdown - between 1902 and 1903 the Manchurian and Korean questions became fused. One method used by Russia to dispose her troops in Manchuria without withdrawing back to Siberia was to send them into the Yalu river region as wood-cutters. Meanwhile, construction of the CER was near completion, and Admiral Alexiev set up a naval headquarters at Port Arthur.
In 1903, a last Japanese overture with Russia took place. Japan reiterated the so-called “Exchange Policy”. But the Russians were adamant. They insisted on their exclusive control on Manchuria, and they demanded the establishment of a neutral zone in Korea north of the 39th parallel. These Russian terms were unacceptable to the Japanese for they now felt themselves militarily and diplomatically strengthened to take a stronger stand against Russia. Facing an. impasse, the Japanese broke off negotiations on February 6, 1904. A few days later, the Russo-Japanese War broke out, only to be terminated by the Treaty of Portsmouth in September 1905.