Essay Sample on Japan's Involvement in Manchukuo: Puyi's Autobiography

Introduction

Japan's involvement in Manchukuo was at first camouflaged as good intentions by the Japanese officials and the Emperor. They painted a picture of hope and goodwill in their concerns with the puppet state that was their creation. This can be seen through various activities as is explained in the Puyi autobiography. They, without a doubt, fooled not only Puyi but also those who were close to him and those who he regarded as his confidants.

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In looking at his autobiography, the birth of this relationship is traced back to when Puyi is made the Chief Executive of the newly formed state (Puyi, 253). He is seen to be in a nostalgic mood as he does not know if he should be in a jovial mood or sad at the turn -about of events. To the outside world, the Japanese had carefully plotted their way so that the process could be seen as a voluntary one while in reality, this was not the case. Itagaki fooled the public by falsely respectfully embracing Puyi as he wished him all the good fortunes that were to come with his ruling. The Japanese dignitaries even bowed to him at the ceremony in an attempt to honor him and accord to him the respect he deserved (Puyi, 255). To the world, this was indeed the birth of a healthy relationship that would see to it the success of the two states.

After numerous atrocities started to arise, this attracted the attention of the League of Nations, an aspect which led to the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to launch an investigation to the said vices. Once again, Japan was an intelligent fool the international community with regards to its involvement in Manchukuo. The first step within which they did this was when they did not object to the setting up of a neutral investigating commission in 10th December that was to look at the fighting incidence (Puyi, 268).

In an attempt to get to the root of the matter, the commission of inquiry directed a question to Puyi in one of their meetings, and it concerned Manchukuo and how it was founded. Out of fear as he was in the company of Japanese officials, Puyi had to lie and give out a pre-prepared statement in which he stated that Manchukuo was formed when he unilaterally decided to come to Manchuria because he was chosen by the people of Manchuria. He added that Manchukuo was a self-governed and independent state (Puyi, 269). In this, we see a clear picture of deception to the world by Japan; they carefully hid their coercive ways from the eyes of the world and made it seem like whatever relationship that existed between the two states was as a result of consensus and agreement without coercion.

To further portray the "positive" involvement of the Japanese officials in Manchukuo, the concept of equality of opportunities was raised. This advocate for the idea that both the Manchukuan and Japanese played a constructive role in the formation of Manchukuo as a state and that all publications are published in Manchukuo and Japanese. It is from this that the country has no problem with welcoming any individual who can be able to converse fluently in either Manchukuan or Japanese dialects and will find no issue with the terms of the Manchukuo state. (Puyi, 270) This elaborative aspect in the eyes of anyone will paint the relationship in high moral standing. This is evident from the satisfaction given by the commission when they stated that they need not ask more questions as they were specific as to what grounds Manchukuo State stood. They even made remarks and expressed their good wishes by hoping the young state will develop healthily. They also noted that Japan's involvement was for all the right reasons as it wanted a stable government for the country and also to create internal peace (Puyi, 271).

Realities of Japan's Involvement

The facts of Japan's involvement diverged from its rhetoric in several ways in their abstract sense before they could even be felt physically on the ground. They might have tried to suppress their real intentions, but this did not take long before the truth finally came out. In its abstract sense, its real plans could be seen from Puyi's revelation in the autobiography. For instance, when Puyi claims that he was subjected to long working hours at the command of the Kwantung Army, this made it impossible for him to run the state business and it soon dawned on him that he was only potent on paper as the powers of the Chief Executive existed in the abstract sense (Puyi, 257).

Matters concerning official business were also never discussed to Puyi as the Chief Executive as it should be. Instead, all the government ministers did was to gift him with presents. Each time he would inquire about the state business, he would get responses that elucidated on the fact that vice-ministers are already dealing with the matter. It is important to note that the vice-ministers were of Japanese nationals and they also never bothered to pay a visit to Puyi. This shows the raging realities of Japan in its involvement in Manchukuo despite their pretense (Puyi, 258).

Moving on to the solid phase of it, Japanese involvement took another turn when the Kwantung Army arbitrarily decided to form a Concordia Association in whose role would be to aid the government and its organizations in incorporating the population of Manchukuo who is above ten years. This would lead to spying and enslavement of people (Puyi, 262). The secret treaty that was signed between Manchukuo and Japan gave it more and efficient power to spearhead its evil ways. The secret agreement gave Japan exclusive control over the defense and security of Manchukuo.

Further drastic measures were taken by Japan when it withdrew itself from the ambit of the League of Nations; this meant that it was not to be answerable to this body. It started by taking by creating an expansion for her armed forces to adequately prepare for war, and this was with particular interest to the invasion in China. It now began to put into use her armed forces by conducting coups in north China. This was made worse when it finalized its China- Doihara Agreement and other discreet pacts which gave it full and active control over north China. It was not long before Japan started eyeing the Monchukuon troops who would go and fight in the wars in north China as most Japanese soldiers were killed in the wars.

Japan, even though their reign in Manchukuo was brought to an end by the U.S.S.R, (Puyi, 320) they did accomplish all their evil deeds in the puppet state as they gain full control over it and even have access to their railways, harbors, waterways, and airways. They even sort to acquire war equipment needed by its troop from Manchukuo and that it will direct most constructions. It may also be able to hold offices and control the activities of mines and lead in the exploitation of natural resources. In taking part in all these, it created and maintained within itself a monument of economic and political power that gave it unwarranted benefits at the detriment of Manchukuo's nationals.

Works Cited

From Emperor to Citizen - The Autobiography of Aisin Gioro Pu Yi, Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1979