The Rise of the Kwantung Army

Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932

By: Quin Cho

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Ten years before Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, a powerful and increasingly autonomous military force had already put Japan down the war path: the Kwantung Army. Drawing from both primary and secondary sources, The Rise of the Kwantung Army: Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932 provides essential insights into the motivations, strategies, and often rogue actions that propelled Japan down its disastrous path toward Pearl Harbor. This work is not just a military history; it is a vital exploration of imperial expansion, the seductive nature of power, and the chilling consequences of an extremist military untethered from civilian control, all of which led to the ultimate demise of the Japanese Empire in 1945. Imperial overreach and extremist influence over foreign policy remain relevant themes in the present era, given the nature of contemporary global events.

This compelling narrative delves deep into the Kwantung Army's origins, its consolidation of power, and its profound impact on both Japan and the broader region, with sections on:

• The Genesis of Power: traces the Kwantung Army's evolution from its post-Russo-Japanese War inception, exploring its initial mandate and the strategic importance of the South Manchuria Railway.
• The South Manchuria Railway: describes the economic engine and strategic lifeline that became the Kwantung Army's de facto domain, blurring the lines between military might and industrial power.
• A State Within a State: explains how the Kwantung Army—with its unique blend of military might, economic control, and political influence—gradually asserted its independence from Tokyo, often dictating Japan's foreign policy in Manchuria.
• The Architects of Empire: identifies the ambitious and often radical officers who envisioned and executed Japan's continental expansion, driven by a potent mix of ultranationalism, anti-communism, resource hunger, and the desire to prepare for a total war.
• The Seeds of Conflict: analyzes the escalating tensions with China and the Soviet Union, as the Kwantung Army's aggressive posture and disregard for international norms pushed the region ever closer to large-scale war.
• The Mukden Incident: explores the decision of Kwantung Army officers Ishiwara Kanji and Itagaki Seishiro to conduct a false flag attack on the Japanese-owned South Manchuria Railway and invade Manchuria in considerable operational detail.

The first English-language book of its kind, The Rise of the Kwantung Army: Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932 delivers a fascinating and deeply researched account of this pivotal institution, revealing how the Kwantung Army transformed from a mere garrison guarding leased territories into the de facto ruler of Manchuria and the vanguard of a burgeoning empire. The book also examines how the Kwantung Army was able to conquer and establish its rule in northeast China. Therefore, this book is perfect for both history buffs seeking to enrich their understanding of how World War II began in East Asia and casual readers seeking a compelling story that bends through time and space.