The reason they wanted to fight China, was to gain control of Korea because Japan feared Russia would have taken over them, which China controlled at the time. After a crushing victory against China now making Korea a part of their colony and taking a part of Taiwan, shocking the world, making Japan to be recognized as a world threat, which made European powers fear them. However, this recognition was short lived, because after a week, Western countries: France, Russia, and Germany decided to team up, and pressure Japan, claiming some land in China away from Japan, primarily the Liaotung peninsula. The Japanese government was angered by this situation, demanding Japan to receive equal treatment in international affairs. They also strengthened their military. Strengthening their military paid off, because in 1904 when Russians wanted control over Korea, Japan decides to go to war against Russia, and defeat them in 1905, gaining dominance over Korea, and making themselves a colonial power in East