China sent roughly 2,465 soldiers after Korea requested assistance under the Tianjin Convention. Japan landed about 4,500 soldiers and 500 marines with striking speed despite having farther to travel. Loyal Korean and Chinese forces ended the rebellion within days, removing the stated reason for either foreign deployment. Japan nevertheless ordered its commander to remain, making the mobilization timetable evidence that intervention had been prepared in advance or triggered immediately by Chinese notification.
Chapter · 1:55:10-2:00:19
The Donghak Rebellion and Japanese preparation
Japan's ability to land more troops faster than nearby China suggests that it had prepared for intervention before the Korean rebellion was suppressed.