During the early Meiji Restoration era of the Imperial Japanthe Meiji Emperor fought with China over control of the Ryukyu Islandswhich were an independent kingdom and a vassal state of China.In 1879, the Imperial Japan annexed the Ryukyu Islands and established the Okinawa Prefecture.15 years later, the first Sino-Japanese war began in 1894, not only over the control of the Korea which was still a vassal state of China,but also because Japan wanted to conquer Manchuria yet again.Strategically located and rich in natural resources,Manchuria had been a battle ground through out the centuries, as China, Japan and Russia fought bitterly for control over it.The history of this land between the Yellow Sea and the Mo River which forms its border with Russia has been written in blood and tears.After more than 6 months of fierce fighting with thousands of civilians massacred by Japanese invadersthe weak Qing Dyansty agreed to a cease-fire.
