What did you expect from an autocratic monarchy? It's sunny and the people are nice but that doesn't mean the ruling elite is nice too.

I expected most of these countries that were colonially exploited to shy away from a country that is actively trying to rebuild its Great Powers-era empire.

Guess not.

You talk about "countries" as if anybody other than the ruling elite mattered at all. They do whatever they can to improve profits from their family business - the state itself. The opinion of the population doesn't matter, it will be censored or suppressed if it goes against the interests of the ruling elite.