This article attempts to analyze the background of Foreign Minister Uchida's positive policy toward China. Uchida strongly advocated the recognition of “Manchukuo” and in August 1932 said that “we have to do it at all costs, even if Japan is reduced to ashes”.
There are several reasons why Uchida gave such an emotional speech in the parliment. The first and primary one is that Uchida changed his soft policy toward Manchuria under strong pressure of the Kuantung Army. When the Manchurian Incident occurred on September 18, 1931, Uchida was the President of the South Manchuria Railway Company. At first Uchida tried to arrange a cease fire through negotiations and was critical of the use of force. But Uchida suddenly changed his attitude after September 26th when he heard that the Kuangtung Army was complaining that Uchida was not cooperative to them. After that, Uchida beamec the spokesman for the Kuantung Army and went to Tokyo to persuade the Prime Minister and other political leaders to support the policy of the Kuantung Army. Finally he became Foreign Minister with the backing of the Kuantung Army.
However, there are other reasons why Uchida easily followed the military line.
One is Uchida's idea of “Asia under Japan's leadership”. He advocated this idea as early as 1890 when he entered the Foreign Ministry. This idea was repeated many times after that. Another reason is connected with his social background. Uchida came from Kumamoto, and had no connection with
Hanbatsu. Because of his background, in order for Uchida to advance in the diplomatic service, he needed to have supporters behind him from other personal connections. He found Mutsu Munemitsu in the 1890's and Hara Kei in the 1910's and it is no wonder that he turned to the Kuantung Army in the 1930's.
His respect for the Chinese Imperial system is a third reason why he supported “Manchukuo”.
These and other reasons are discussed by the author in the article.
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