[hanamizu]

“They took that as an insult...”

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Yes, they did. But if you look at a map from the time, Japan coveted the resources in French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies. You can’t get to either place from Japan if a potential hostile power holds the Philippines.

I think it is interesting to note, that even though the Japanese claimed to Asian heroes sweeping away the colonial powers in East Asia, Filipinos fought along side Americans defending the Philippines and were more than anxious see us return and kick the Japanese out. I realize that we had planned to give the Philippines their independence in 1943 (?) had the war and Japanese invasion not occurred.

[dfwgator]

I joke that had we made the Philippines a State now with their population, Presidential candidates would just have to campaign there.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

think it is interesting to note, that even though the Japanese claimed to Asian heroes sweeping away the colonial powers in East Asia, Filipinos fought along side Americans defending the Philippines and were more than anxious see us return and kick the Japanese out.

Gee I can not imagine why.....

When you read about how the Japanese treated their "fellow Asians" the Western colonial powers look down right benign.