M Ilitary Investigation Of The Kwantung Army In Northeastern China

After the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese grabbed the Czar of Russia’s interest in Northeast China, and then established Kanto Dudufu there. Since the establishment of Kanto Dudufu, its’ Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of the Army carried out a series of detailed investigation on all aspects of Northeastern China, including politics, army, politicians, industry, agriculture, communication, traffic, local chronicles, mountains and rivers etc.In 1919, Kanto Dudufu separated into 2 parts, the former Ministry of Civil Affairs changed into the Office of Kanto and the former Ministry of the Army into Command of Kwantung Army. After the establishment Kwantung Army, it launched a full investigation in Northeastern China, and was ready to woo the politicians there, including Zhang Zuolin and his son.In June, 1928, under the leadership of Kawamoto Oku, the officers of Kwantung Army killed Zhang Zuolin, who was not willing to descend to a Japanese puppet, which was called “Huanggu Tuen” event. The event, however, failed to achieve the goal of further military invasion in Northeastern China. Thus, during the three years from “Huanggu Tuen” event to “September 18 Incident”, a series of military survey and military exercises aiming at the military disposition of Northeastern China was launched by the senior staff officers of Kwantung Army led by Itagaki Shiro and Ishihara Kanji, among which the main contents were the three investigation named “Tourism of staff officers”. Through these actions, the Kwantung Army completed military preparations for the “September 18 Incident”, which also lied an essential foundation for Kwantung Army’s military actions after the incident.Due to the Kwantung Army’s rapid surge in Northeastern China and the expanding of the war after “September 18 Incident”, the previous military intelligence agency couldn’t satisfy the requirements of Kwantung Army’s military actions in whole region of Northeastern China. Thus, the second division of the Kwantung Army’s Headquarters of the Staff began to enlarge its’ military intelligence system. After the fall of Northeastern China, the focus of Kwantung Army’s intelligence agency changed from China to the Soviet Union. At the same time, it gradually established a set of military intelligence system targeted at the Soviet Union.Besides, the Kwantung Army began to woo politicians in Mongolian area. After a series of investigation to these politicians, the Kwantung Army aimed at the Japanophiles or the ones who had interests expectations. The young officers of Kwantung Army, who were familiar with Chinese culture and proficient in Chinese, played an important role in wooing and differentiating these targeted politicians. Among these targeted politicians, some studied in Japan and had a pro-Japan emotions; some wanted to discriminate against those who hold different views, expanded their military forces or achieve special purpose depending on the support of Kwantung Army.The military intelligence system was the eyes and ears of the Kwantung Army. The military intelligences provided by it constituted an essential basis for the Kwantung Army’s military action, and the establishment and development of this military intelligence system was an indispensable part of the Kwantung Army’s Northeastern China invasion. Study of the Kwantung Army’s investigation to Northeastern China gave significance to understanding of the Kwantung Army’s invasion mechanism and aggressive actions.