This study aims to investigate how the shift in the balance of power between the Japanese military and the civilian government (independent variable) following the 1936 February 26 Incident influenced the radicalization of Japan’s policy toward China (dependent variable). The February 26 Incident marked a pivotal turning point in the power struggle between the military and the civilian government. In its aftermath, the military gradually secured dominance over national decision-making by reinstating the active-duty officer system and taking control of key government positions. This shift in the power dynamic directly led to the radicalization of Japan’s foreign policy, transitioning from a strategy of incremental encroachment to one of full-scale invasion and expansion. By applying Graham Allison’s governmental politics model, this research analyzes how changes in the domestic power structure facilitated the radicalization of Japan’s policy toward China through decision-making mechanisms. By examining the evolution of domestic power struggles following the February 26 Incident, this paper elucidates the close relationship between power struggles and the degree of policy radicalization, providing a deeper understanding of Japan's policy shift toward China.
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