What were the reasons Japan attacked Russia in 1904?

Answer 1

At the turn of the 20th century, Russia and Japan were at odds with each other in Manchuria and Korea. Japan required resources to supply their new manufacturing base and to maintain markets in Asia. They also required resources to supply their new Westernized army and navy. With that said, Russia welcomed the conflicting goals between themselves and Japan. One major reason was to deflect criticism of the Romanov Monarchy. Also, Russia could not afford to have a strong power such as Japan dominate their East Asian frontier. On a geo-political basis, controlling Manchuria and Korea enabled it to protect their exposed outpost of Vladivostok. This outpost was squeezed against the sea, and basically landlocked by Japanese waters.

There was more to this looming war that may have gone unnoticed. One factor was that Russia had obtained a concession from China to build the Chinese Eastern Railway to Vladivostok that went through Manchuria. This would give Russia access to implied special zones for military protection for the railroad. Along with this was access to lumber and mining rights.

In 1895, Japan had waged a war against China, which to them gave Japan certain rights in Manchuria.

Surprisingly, Great Britain signed a treaty with Japan in 1902. The British did this towards discouraging Russia from threatening Britain's own spheres of influence in East Asia. This alliance lasted twenty years.

This alliance emboldened Japan to launch a naval attack on Russian installations at Port Arthur. This launched an undeclared war against Russia in 1904.