I'm a bit of a history/WWII nut. Goes back to when I was really young. I think I was always interested in geography/cartography, which made the subject that much more interesting to me.
Anyway, there are thousands of books related to WWII, with the majority being centered on Europe. I have grown more interested in the events leading up to WWI/WWII in the last few years, and have read a lot about Germany/Europe. I am trying to find more about those leading events in Asia. I am currently reading "Japan: 1941". I literally just started it late last night, and only read the prologue, but it's my understanding the book explains how/why Japan, from the Japanese point of view, started a war with the West the majority within Japan knew they couldn't win.
I have read books that talk about economic issues, linked specifically to the Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty in 1854, that led to extremely strained relationships, but only briefly. I am familiar with imperialism pressures in that time, which led to conflicts between Japan and China, etc. I haven't found much, though, that speaks to this stuff specifically and in detail (probably 1854-1941). Any suggestions? I would prefer either a Japanese or wholly unbiased perspective.