They were similar insofar that both countries started developing their military and started having a spirit of nationalism grow. Both Japanese and Germans were tired of being looked down upon because they were proud and they decided to take the matter into their own hands. This especially worked well with Japan who managed to beat Russia in a war which showed everyone how serious they were.
They were different insofar that their ideas behind conquering differed. Japan wanted to expand and become powerful and develop even more. Germany wanted to conquer the entire continent of Europe and completely destroy anyone who did not fit their view of the world. Japan was more oriented towards using other countries in the are as colonies than it was in committing genocide and completely dominating everyone else. This doesn't mean however that Japan did not commit monstrous deeds in general during world war 2.
