I can't comment on any part except the part quoted here which I do have knowledge and expertise on. Japan had already participated in 1899-1901 in suppression of the Boxer Rebellion as an ally of European powers (and the US) in the Eight Nation Alliance (France, UK, Russia, Japan, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Germany). The Japanese never cared for "trust from the Asians", the "co-prosperity sphere" was just a euphemism for propaganda and more directed at the US, Australia, and European powers and I suppose Indian independence movements. If Japan cared about trust from Asians they wouldn't have invaded China. And it's not like there were a lot of independent Asian countries to begin with- China, Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, and Thailand/Siam and a few others for short bursts like Tuva. None of which were in a position that Japan really cared what they thought as the Japanese position was one of being more like the Europeans in China by that point anyways.