Final answer:
Japan's trajectory towards a fascist authoritarian state in the 1930s was characterized by militaristic control, alignment with fascist regimes through the Anti-Comintern Pact, and an ultra-nationalist mission to expand and dominate East Asia reflecting similar ideologies to Nazi Germany's racial supremacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Japan's Transition to a Fascist Authoritarian State
The authoritarian state of Japan developed over the 1930s through a coupling of ideological conformity to fascism and militarism, with influential military personnel gradually taking control over civilian government. The transformation into a fascist authoritarian state was rooted in several factors. Japan's attempt to become a respected and powerful capitalist nation led to apprehensions about the spread of Communism from neighboring countries. This fear was met with ideological alignment with Fascism and National Socialism, primarily due to their vehement anti-Communist stances. The signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany and Italy showcased Japan's ideological partnership with other fascist regimes.
The domestic governmental landscape was shaped by the Seiyukai party's pursuit of authoritarian governance, culminating in 'national unity' governments which stifled dissent and enhanced military authority. This rise in power feigned an exterior appearance of democracy with universal male suffrage in 1925, yet real power resided with the emperor and the military elite, aligning with ultra-nationalist sentiments to expand the Japanese Empire. The nation's destiny, as perceived by the Japanese ultra-nationalists, was linked to the ideology of racial superiority and dominion over East Asia, similar to the fascist notions observed in Nazi Germany.
During World War II, these expansions were justified as liberating Asia from European colonial rule, but not all regions were pleased to enter the sphere of Japanese influence, revealing that dominance, rather than liberation, was the main goal. The aggressive military actions and ideological synchronicity with fascism were compounded by societal pressures from the Great Depression, which led many to believe that democracy and capitalism had failed, further entrenching authoritarian rule in Japan.