Japanese Korea vs Japanese Philippines

I read that Imperial Japan had the intention to buy the Philippines from Spain but was refused. Later, they took Korea to gain a foothold in the continent. Which colony would benefit them more in the long term? I believe they could only get one at first and spend a certain amount of time to quell the rebellion. In my opinion, getting Korea allows the Japanese to gain access to Chinese market while controlling the Philippines seems to lead them to a dead end, they couldn't really expand into French Indochina or Dutch East Indies.
 
As you wrote, Korea was a gateway into China for Japan. It was also strategically important, as the Japanese were desperate to prevent Russian control of the Korean peninsula. Compared to this, the Philippines was of secondary importance in all areas.
 
Korea had an almost identical climate to Japan, so I would say it would be better for colonization. Well, except for all the Koreans already living there. Much easier to defend than the Phillipines anyways, and a shorter distance to ship crops and raw goods.
 
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