Japan's colonial expansion began with the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, which resulted in the acquisition of Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands.

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo.

The Romusha system was a forced labor system used by the Japanese during World War II, in which millions of people were forced to work in mines, factories, and other industries.

It is estimated that around 20 million people died as a result of forced labor in the Japanese Empire during World War II.

The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the independence of Korea after World War II, in 1945.

The Treaty of San Francisco, signed in 1951, formally ended Japanese rule over Korea.

China was the first country to recognize the independence of Taiwan after World War II, in 1949.

The Treaty of San Francisco, signed in 1951, formally ended Japanese rule over Taiwan.

The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the independence of Manchuria after World War II, in 1945.

The Treaty of San Francisco, signed in 1951, formally ended Japanese rule over Manchuria.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was the international tribunal that tried Japanese war criminals after World War II.

Seven Japanese war criminals were executed by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.

Tomiichi Murayama was the Japanese prime minister who apologized for Japan's wartime atrocities in 1995.

Akihito was the Japanese emperor who apologized for Japan's wartime atrocities in 1995.

The issue of Japanese war crimes is still being debated and negotiated, as some countries and individuals continue to seek compensation and an apology from Japan.