I read something on /sci/ recently about how scientists were

>>2625478
I don't know for certain, but it sounds believable.

You also have to remember that there was a "Green Revolution" in the 1960s that dramatically increased crop yields.

>>2625478
I don't think Japan was concerned with securing more farmland though.

>>2625478
It was partially because synthetic fertilizer production was only in its baby steps in the early 20s. A lot of fears of overpopulation were due to the impending "nitrogen crisis", predicted in the late 19th-early 20th century, where without a continuous source of fertilizer, the nitrogen in the soil of first world countries would eventually run out, and millions would begin to starve. Fortunately, the Germans figured out how to make synthetic nitrogen from the atmosphere in about 1914. It took some time before Hager-Bosch plants really began to spread around the globe, though, so it would make sense if there was still some concern over the matter by the 20s.

>>2625797
Thanks anon.

>>2625548
the military types were, that's why they went after manchuria