The campaign against participation in the tenth Far Eastern Championship Games in Japan

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to focus upon the campaign against participation in the tenth Far Eastern Championship Games (FECG) in Japan, and also to examine its historical meaning. The FECG was canceled due to the conflict between Japan and China over the “Manchukuo” problem in 1934. The Japan Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) negotiated with China and the Philippines about this problem, but China never recognized it. Consequently, “Manchukuo” was unable to participate in the tenth FECG. At that time, those who were involved in “Manchukuo”, and also a right-wing political party, criticised the JAAA and actively protested against it, demanding that the Japanese national team should not participate in the games. But, the JAAA declared that the team would participate. Those who were involved in “Manchukuo” and the right-wing political party attacked the Japanese national team, intending to prevent them from participating in the games. Manchukuo, which was founded as a result of the Manchurian Incident, was supported by many Japanese citizens, and its impact spread to sports. The present study was able to clarify the tension between politics and sport, resulting from Japan's enthusiastic support for Manchukuo.