This is something I've wondered about for a long time. Usually fascism is understood in a European context with specifically white supremacist and often anti-Semetic elements, but the ethno-nationalism present in Japan in this time seem to resemble fascism (at least to me).
Obviously this requires some understanding of political theory in order to answer this question, but for the historians out there with a background in Japanese history and/or WWII history I'd like to hear your responses.
Thanks!
The question of whether or not Imperial Japan was fascist during the interwar period, and extending until its surrender in 1945, remains a question in the historiographical community. Whilst historians nowadays would certainly admit that there were elements of Japan's government which might qualify the "fascist" label, they are (rightly) hesitant to apply such a label in its totality, as there were also elements of the government which were not fascist in nature (at least, from a European definition of the political term). For more on the specific characteristics of the Japanese interwar political scene which made it both compatible and incompatible with fascism, as well as a semi-deep-dive on the actual history of Japan's political developments during the 1920's and 30's, this earlier writeup should be of interest. More (as always) can be said however, so do feel free to ask any follow-up questions as you see fit.