Kawamoto’s Colonial Activities In Shanxi

Kawamoto almost engaged in the activities of Japanese invasion of China for his whole life. He not only had been in invading China activities before Japan surrendered in August, 1945, but also promoting Japanese troops and nationals residue behavior in Shanxi after Japan surrendered.Kawamoto was dismissed from Japan active service for Huanggutun incident on June 4th, 1928, then after his suspension expiration in July, 1930, he joined in reserve service, took office in SMR, at which he planned and participated the Mukden Incident, at the same time, he actively spared his effort in building Manchukoku. Kawamoto who joined in the activities of Japan’s invading northeast China early had served successively as Xi’an Coal Company agent, Shenhai Railway director, SMR council, Mantchu petrochemical Company supervisor, the chairman of Manchu Railway Company economic committee and the president of Manchu Coal and Mine Company during Manchukoku in office. In addition, he held a concurrent post in Manchukoku Heavy Industry Company council in the next half year of 1937. Then Manchu Coal and Mine Company became its subsidiaries, and by which Kawamoto became a leading figurehead. What he had done in 14 years between 1928 to 1942 except his behaviors in Mantie and Mantan before going to Shanxi in the autumn of 1942? He enticed Yan xishan to capitulate secretly after he reached in Shanxi in 1942, but why he did not return back to Japan but take charge of Northwest Industrial and Commercial Company as a general counsel until being arrested in 1949 after Japanese surrendered in 1945. These questions are all deserve our discussion.It can be said that Kawamoto’s 50 years’ experience in China is a miniature of Japan’s invasion activity. By analyzing his colonial activity in Shanxi, we can get a deep understanding of Japan’s invasion activity.This thesis employs comparative and literature analysis methods and consists of the following parts. The first part presents Kawamoto’s invasion activity in China based on his life experience. The second part describes his colonial activities in Shanxi from the aspects of economy, politics, culture, etc. The last part makes a conclusion and comments about his colonial activities in Shanxi.