Why did Russia and Japan go to war

Russia and Japan went to war in 1904 primarily over rival imperial ambitions in East Asia, particularly in Korea and Manchuria. This conflict is known as the Russo-Japanese War. At the time, Russia was expanding its influence in the Far East and was interested in accessing warm-water ports that would be ice-free year-round. Meanwhile, Japan had recently modernized its military and was determined to become a dominant power in the region.

The immediate cause of the war was the failure of negotiations between the two nations. Russia sought control over Manchuria and a warm-water port on the Pacific Ocean, which would be achieved through the city of Port Arthur (present-day Lüshunkou District in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China). Japan, meanwhile, had its own interests in Korea and Manchuria and saw Russian encroachment as a direct threat.

Negotiations to resolve these territorial disputes broke down, and after the Russians refused Japan's proposals, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet stationed in Port Arthur before formally declaring war. This preemptive strike was aimed at preventing the Russian Pacific Fleet from threatening Japanese transport ships and ensuring Japan's naval dominance in the region.