Japan's expansion in China raises doubts about whether the faction Britain finds easiest to work with will remain in power. Another influential faction draws confidence from success against Russia and asks what Japan should do next. The violence of Japanese factional politics also exceeds what British officials are accustomed to or comfortable with. These concerns help explain Britain's willingness to consider replacing the bilateral treaty with a Four-Power arrangement.
Notable Point · 47:10-49:07
Japanese factional politics unsettle Britain
Expansion in China and uncertainty over who will hold power weaken British confidence in the alliance's future.