Japan really was a power house, but I also was similar going with a better relationship; based on the relationship of China and the original 1911-1926 government; both were close allies and economically supported each other until Chiang began the second republic, and the Japanese seeing him as inferior. But no, the Japanese people did actaully, not have the best of lives due to all the focus was on the military. People blindly also obeyed the Emperor, who himself became a puppet of the military.