Japan
Germany and Italy were not the only countries experiencing economic disparity during the 1920s and 1930s. Japan was in the middle of a serious recession. However, Japan's issues were primarily due to geography. Since Japan is composed of a chain of small islands, they had difficulty acquiring raw materials. Their exploding population and a lack of land was another issue. Such difficulties led to feelings of resentment on behalf of the Japanese.
Map and location of Japan
The Japanese began to direct a great portion of their resources toward their military. As a result, Japan seized control of Manchuria in Northeast China in 1931, thus sparking a feud between the two countries for the next several years. However, the Chinese were not able to keep up and by 1940, Japan controlled most of Eastern China.
Map of Eastern China controlled by Japan in 1940.
Like Germany and Italy, Japan had its sights set on expanding its empire. Eastern China was just a stepping-stone for the Japanese; they then moved on to Southeast Asia and the Dutch East Indies.
Map and location of the East Indies.