Appeal of the ultranationalist faction

• Status of the Military in Japan

  Civilians’ sentiments towards Civilian politicians and government:

  • believed that civilian government only cared about the Elites

  (banks, landowners and Zaibatsu)

  • believed that civilian government were either in cahoots or

  were receiving money (bribery) from them (in collusion)

  • felt that the civilian government no longer respected the

  military in Japan because of the cuts in military budget
• 1930 London Naval Conference


  • Numbers of warships allowed for Japan were fewer than that of the western powers
  • 1922 treaty was reviewed but demands to build more warships were rejected by western powers
  • Government reluctantly signed the 1930 London Naval Treaty (not ready for war)
  • Navy presented to press in Japan as a betrayal by the government
• Ultranationalist


  Extreme form of nationalism where a country asserts control over other nations to pursue its own specific interest
• Situation in Manchuria

  • After the Russo-Japanese war, the Japanese formed a Kwantung Army in 1906 to protect the Liaodong Peninsula and Japan’s assets in Manchuria.

  • Manchuria was rich in iron and coal

  • Initially Manchuria warlord, Zhang zuolin, developed friendly relations with Japan and the Kwantung Army

  • In 1928, Kwantung army assassinated Zhang in hope to replace him with more cooperative and capable leader

  • Japan emperor criticised the army’s actions and demanded prime minister discipline them

  • Prime minister unable to force military leaders to punish those responsible
• Mukden Incident (1931)


  September 1931: Kwantung Army blew up railway tracks at Mukden

  • Blamed Chinese government

  • Used it as an excuse to send Kwantung Army in for “defence purpose” & took control by December 1931 (Japanese colony)

  • March 1932, Japanese renamed Manchuria as Manchukuo
• Formation of ultranationalist groups

  Showa restoration wanted to remove all aspects of democratic government and restore direct rule to the Emperor

  Other anti-democracy extremist groups:

  • Sakurakai (Cherry Blossom Society)

  • Kodohai (Imperial way faction)

  • Ketsumeidon (League of Blood)
• Significance of 15 May 1932


  15 May – ultranationalist groups also attacked Mitsubishi bank, Seiyukai headquarters, several power stations and tried to assassinated several other government officials. Activists were arrested and put on trial, Military commanders issued statement to excuse their actions
• Appeal of the Ultranationalist faction


  • Japanese military’s strategies to gain appeal of the ultranationalist faction exacerbated citizens’ discontent for the democratic government
  • Weakened citizens’ support for the democratic government as these ultranationalist groups also helped to eliminate civilian officials
  • Further strengthened Japan military influence and raised their status as a capable, decisive and effective organisation that Japan needed, contributing to the rise of Militarism in Japan