Final answer:
Japan became the first fascistic state to aggressively expand its territory by invading Manchuria in 1931, later forming an alliance with Germany and Italy against communism, marking a significant step towards World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
When its troops swarmed into Manchuria in northeast Asia in 1931, Japan became the first fascistic state to expand aggressively. With the invasion of the resource-rich region of Manchuria, Japan took an aggressive step toward creating an empire to provide living space and raw materials necessary for its prosperity. The League of Nations condemned Japan's actions but was ineffective in imposing sanctions, leading Japan to withdraw from the League and continue its militaristic expansion. This marked the beginning of Japan's role in the Axis powers, highlighting its ideological alignment with other fascist states, as seen with the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany and later Italy, forming a militant alliance against the spread of Communism.