South Manchuria Railway

The South Manchuria Railway was a major railway system established by Japan in the early 20th century, primarily to control and exploit resources in China's Manchuria region. Originally built by the Japanese after their conquest of Port Arthur in 1895, it expanded significantly, serving as both a transportation network and an economic tool to access coal, minerals, and other resources. The railway symbolized Japan's growing influence over Manchuria, leading to increased military and political control. It played a crucial role in Japan's imperial ambitions in Asia, becoming a strategic asset until the region was liberated after World War II.