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The Failure of International Diplomacy and Economic Sanctions in Response to Japan’s Aggression in East Asia, 1931-1937

Jing Ge*

This analysis examines the response of key global players, including Japan, China, Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the broader international community, to Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia during the interwar period. Focusing on the Brussels Conference of 1937, which addressed Japan's invasion of China, the study explores why substantive measures such as economic sanctions were not imposed against Japan. From Japan's perspective, resource scarcity and geopolitical concerns drove its expansionist ambitions. The failure of international treaties and the breakdown of civilian-military relations within Japan further complicated the situation. China sought international support against Japanese aggression, citing treaty violations and invoking the Kellogg-Briand Pact and Nine-Power Treaty. Britain aimed for peace but hesitated to apply sanctions without broader international consensus, relying on U.S. involvement. The United States, prioritizing national security and domestic opinion, avoided direct military engagement, advocating for moral pressure on Japan. The Soviet Union supported collective action against Japan due to historical tensions. Despite sympathetic sentiments from the international community, particularly towards China, the Brussels Conference failed to produce effective measures against Japan. This analysis underscores the challenges of international coordination and the limitations of diplomacy in addressing aggressive actions by major powers during a critical period in global history.