Japanese occupation of China

The Japanese occupation of China refers to Japan's military invasions and control over Chinese territory from 1931 to 1945. Japan aimed to expand its empire, leading to the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and full-scale war in 1937. During this period, Japanese forces occupied parts of eastern China, committing significant atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre. The occupation disrupted Chinese society, economy, and governance, and contributed to China's involvement in World War II. It ended with Japan's defeat in 1945, and China regained control of its occupied territories.