Was japan successful in their attack of SouthEast Asia?Why is it so?is it because of military, leadership etc.

Answer 1

Some of the reasons for Japans opening sucess in Asia, stems from the fact that no decleration of war was made on any of the powers attacked. Also due to the European conflict many of the forces from the area had been stripped to bolster the war there. Th bulk of Australian forces where in North Africa, The British/Indian forces where also removed in 1939 - 1940 and replaced with terratorial divisions, then conscripted forces once the 1940 defeats in france had taken place. The French had no forces left and allowed the Japenese to use Indo China as a staging post as they could not defend their area. The Dutch only had a few naval and garrison troops in the Java area. The Americans had some small forces dotted around the Phillapines and outposts trailing back to the Hawian chain for logistical support only.
The Japanese where given a golden opportunity to obtain the resources it required when the Soviets signed a non aggression treaty with them and removed the dangers from the Manchurian frontier area in 1941 and the Chinese goverment practically suspended hostilities to concentrate on the Communist internal threat.
The actual leadership of the armed forces where not much better than the Allied generals, the problem was the training and preperations. The Japanese forces had been fighting for almost 10 years and honed there forces to perfection, the new Zero fighters, medium range bombers where superior to any Allied aircraft in the arena. The Navy outweighed the strength of any Squadron it would meet once Pearl Harbour had happened. The tactics of the Land forces used the natural terrain a lot better than anyone else and they where not that bothered by the huge logistical support the Allies required.
Then there was the poor positions the Allied forces found themselves in. Thailand allied herself with the Japanese Empire once the Invasion of Malaya started, much like the Belgium and Dutch forces in 1940 giving the Empire troops the Headache to invade a Neutral Country or not to improve positions. So allowing the amphibious forces a free unopposed landing. Then what was thought to be unpeneterable jungle was bypassed by small forces which attacked the rear of prepared defences. The forward airfields where taken quickly without any demolition work allowing the Japanese to use airpower closer to targets. The civil population was unready for total war and caused problems in rear areas.
As the japanese commands said, the first year had great sucess for the forces, but then the American Industrial might started to kick in, troops where rushed from North Africa back to defened Australia and India and Naval forces where built up in Ceylon and Kenya from the British fleets after all German Capital Warships where destroyed and along with the rebuilt American force where able to stop and reverse the Japanese forces.
If the treatment of the captured Military and Civilian population had been forseen before the defeats of 1942, then I am sure the surrenders that happened at Bataan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Rangoon and the Dutch East Indies would have been different and the Japs would have had a much harder time.

Answer 2

Japan's success in attacking South East Asia, including the colonies of western nations, is undeniable. Their military was highly trained, and they followed their leaders blindly. One reason why it was so was that other than colonial forces, these South East Asian countries did not have large, modern, motivated militaries to defend themselves.

Japan's occupation of South East Asia (not including China) cannot be considered as successful. What the western nations colonised and occupied for 400 years, the Japanese barely occupied for 4 years. Here's the second half of your "Why was it so?" question.

Answer 3

Because Asia had been dreaming to be free from the westerner's colonial occupation for long time.
And the western military in those area were less power than the one in their home country. With the lapse of time, the porwer of the western militaries in Asia had become less efficient compared with the first time.
Once Japan army came to attack, they asked relief to their home country. But actually it was difficult and took long time at that era.Asia was far from Europe.

Japan's attack was planned by the headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army. Because their aim was not to occupy those area as a colony like the west, but to build modern cities.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37332502@N00/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94337686@N00/

Answer 4

the japanese army was successful in asia, because most of the time they were running around pretty much unopposed, the only slight threat they had was in china,and even then when they invaded china,the chinese were embroiled in a civil war so the chinese attention was divided until mao and chiang made a truce to fight japan soley. the japanese army was better prepared and felt it was there version of manifest destiny to control asia,also they neede the natural resources to continue the war effort after the united states cut them off. as is true with germany many of the causes for japan's war were caused by world war one

Answer 5

A combination of several things allowed the Japanese to gain many victories throughout Asia.

First of all most of the Asians saw the Japanese army as the only army capable of pushing out the white man. So being invaded by the Japanese Army wasn't altogether seen as a bad thing in Asian eyes.

Second of all the Japanese had a first rate Army commanded by a very dedicated and professional officer corp.