Midst minimal dissension (soon vigorously suppressed by the government) the average Japanese may have had these thoughts on the matter:
1. In an economic depression, with inadequate resources for a growing population, we need more land.
2. Manchuria is a backward region, ruled by warlords, that has already benefitted greatly by Japanese investment.
3. Our noble intention is to help our Asian brothers with enlightened rule.
4. Given the extent of their Asian colonialism, condemnation by Western powers is hypocritical.
The “average” Japanese hated the war and hated the fascist tendencies consuming those in power. Why are you guessing what they thought rather than finding out?
Your guess is certainly as good as mine.
Here is an interesting article entitled
Japanese Fascism Revisited
Here is a list of interesting articles books I’ve read about 20th Century Imperial Japan:
A Diary of Darkness – Kiyoshi Kiyosawa
Imperial Japan at its Zenith – Kenneth Ruoff
Japan 1941 – eri Hotta
Japan’s Quest for Power and World War II in Asia –
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/japan_1900_power.htm
Leaves from an Autumn of Emergencies – Samuel Hideo Yamashita
Politics and Culture in Wartime Japan – Ben-Ami Shillony
Senso – Frank Gibney
The Thought War – Barak Kushner
Valley of Darkness – Thomas R.H. Havens
War Without Mercy – John W. Dower