To what extent did the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) change the balance of power in East Asia?

Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Russo-Japanese War changed the balance of power in East Asia. Effects may extend beyond the timeframe but must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may argue that Japan’s victory against a European power and the acquisition of key territory in Manchuria marked the beginnings of Japan’s control of the region. Japan’s victory led to its increasing influence over Korea and in 1910 Japan annexed Korea and would later occupy it fully. The war also had an impact on the stability of the imperial regime in China, and partly contributed to the Revolution of 1911. However, candidates may also argue that Japan had already shown itself to be the dominant power in the region following the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 and the establishment of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902.