1943 or Showa 18 World War II Era Japanese Map of Eastern Australia

This is a stunning 1943 or Showa 18 large format map of eastern Australia. Issued by the Japanese during World War II, this map is part of a series of maps promoting the Japanese imperialist concept of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. It covers the eastern half of Australia and includes Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the eastern parts of South Australia and Northern Territory. An inset of Tasmania is included in the lower right. The map offers superb detail regarding both topographical and political elements. Cities, roads, and air, sea, and land trade routes are illustrated. Shading indicates oceanic depths. While Allied World War II maps of this region are fairly common, it is extremely rare to come across their Japanese counterparts. All text is in Japanese.

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亜共栄圏) was an imperialist concept created and promulgated for occupied Asian populations between 1930 and 1945 by the Empire of Japan. The concept was announced by Hachirō Arita on June 29, 1940. The Co-Prosperity Sphere was intended as a self-sufficient 'bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers.' It covered Southeast Asia, Eastern China, Manchuria, Japan, the East India Islands, and parts of Oceania. The idea promoted the cultural and economic unity East Asians, Southeast Asians, and Oceanians.

Publication History

This map was created by the Japanese during World War II and issued as part of a 20 map Series of Great East Asia Maps. The Co-Prosperity Sphere map series was published by the Japan Publishing and Distribution Company, Ltd. (日本出版配給株式會社). This map is no. 16 in that series.