After the failure of the March Plot, Manchuria was the chance for Japanese radicals to take what they saw as deservedly theirs. Japanese already had a sphere of influence in Manchuria as a result of the Dairen Conferences where they acquired leases on Dairen, Port Arthur, South Manchurian Railway, and the Antung-Mukden Railway.

Japanese soldiers march into Manchuria.

Itagaki and Ishiwara had a foothold in Manchuria and with Colonel Honjo in Port Arthur, they had no one to answer to. Although plans called for the Mukden Incident to occur approximately a week later, the arrival of Tatekawa sped up the process. Using their subversive tactics, Itagaki and Ishiwara instigated a fight with the Chinese which they were well prepared for.

The two officers were fueled in their ambitions by the political and economic spectrum of Japan at the time. After the Mukden Incident occurred, the Kwantung Army continued to travel west and south into the borders of China. The Japanese confronted the officers in charge, but when they did, the Kwantung Army threatened to declare their own independence from the Japanese government and establish their own. The Japanese government conceded to the army's demands, and was now placed into a military battle with China and what would later be the rest of the world.

Ishiwara and Itagaki continued their military success even after the Mukden Incident, but Itagaki's was cut short by the war trials. Itagaki was convicted for his crimes, but the IMTFE did not accuse Ishiwara for his actions. Oddly enough, Itagaki said of Ishiwara, "Never mind Honjo, it's Ishiwara's war," suggesting that Ishiwara may have had more to do with the Mukden Incident then expected. However these two men hatched the plot that made it feasible for Japanese forces to spread into Manchuria and eventually the borders of China.

This exhibit was researched and designed by Michael Jenkins.

This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002.

The material and opinions are those of their respective authors and do not represent the views of the University or the Department of History.

The information and pictures above were provided from these sources.