Final answer:
The Japanese invasion of the Philippines contributed to initial successes in the Pacific for Japan, but set the groundwork for serious setbacks at critical battles like Coral Sea and Midway. The 'island hopping' strategy of the U.S. helped turn the tide, allowing for the retaking of territories and shifting the balance in the Pacific Theater in favor of the Allies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II indeed served as a catalyst for a series of successes in the Pacific Theater for Japan, initially allowing them to extend control across the Western Pacific. However, it also set the stage for the first serious setbacks for Japan amidst attempts to further its South East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. The subsequent struggles at the Battle of Coral Sea and the pivotal Battle of Midway indicated a turnaround in the war, as Allied forces began to assert significant victories over Japanese expansion.
After the initial Japanese advances, U.S. military strategy evolved, leading to an aggressive pushback known as 'island hopping,' seizing islands strategically and ensuring each new base could be used to launch further invasions westward, edging closer to mainland Japan. This approach, combined with factors such as kamikaze tactics and the need for island-based airfields, shifted the balance and facilitated the eventual return of US forces to the Philippines in October 1944, a critical juncture in the Pacific campaign.
The Allied victories and retaking of territories demonstrated a reversal of fortunes, stemming from aggressive military tactics and leveraging newer strategic advantages gained through island hopping, ultimately turning the tide of war against Japan and paving the way for the Allies' success in the Pacific.