1- Emperor Hirohito ascends the trhone: in 1926 with the death of his father.
2- Japan faces major economic crisis: in 1930 and 1931, this period is known as the Showa Depression. It's impact lead to the installation of fascism.
3- Japan attacks Manchuria: on September 1931, they stablished the japanese-dominated state of Manchukuo.
4- Japan withraws from the League of Nations: on February 24, 1933, after they were blamed for the events in Manchuria.
5- The second Sino-Japanese War begins: it took place between 1937 and 1945 when China began a full-scale resistance to the Japanese expansion. War was undeclared until 1941.
6- Japan joins the Axis powers: on November 5, 1940 when Germany, Italy and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact of Berlin.