The economic benefits of Manchuria to our nation.
First, Manchuria's agricultural yield will resolve the food provision demands of our citizens.
Second, the iron of Anshan and the coal of Fushun will establish the foundation of our steel industry.
Third, the various enterprises entering Manchuria will benefit our unemployed and break the deadlock in the depression.
In order to draw out a general outline for a united military offensive,
we must create an opportunity through a scheme ending with military leadership,
that our nation will not necessarily reject.
Showa 6, May 22.
Personal Opinions on the Manchurian Issue complete.
Tokyo
To our listeners across the nation and to our compatriots living in Manchuria, good afternoon.
Today, for this special broadcast, our guests will offer their expert opinions on Manchuria and its related sphere of influence.
Allow me to introduce the people who took time out of their busy schedules to attend.
First, head of General Staff Headquarters First Division, Major General Tatekawa Yoshitsugu.
From the Niseitou House of Representatives, Ikushima Masayuki.
From the Seiyuukai House of Representatives, Harahide Hiro.
An Imperial University professor with a Ph.D. in law, Kanbayashi Kosaku.
That concludes the introductions. Thanks to all of you for being here today.
Now then, I would like to begin with a very basic question.
I think that it is important to inform our younger listeners why a part of Manchuria is under Japan's jurisdiction,
and why that land is vital to the current situation facing Japan.
I believe many of our viewers are wondering about this situation.
Professor Kanbayashi, may I ask you to respond as simply as possible?
Let's see. I have a map of Manchuria in front of me right now...
and I believe it will be easier to follow along if our listeners look at a map.
It started after the first Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War...
when we acquired the land-leasing rights of the Ryoto Peninsula.
Much like England leases Hong Kong...
our nation will lease this land for exactly 99 years, until 1997.
But, the 99-year time limit could very well be permanent.
Basically, the lease is nothing more than a public front-
No, that statement is a little misleading.
The lease was supposed to end in 1923,
but the fact remains that the signing of the Twenty-One Demands extended the lease to 99 years,
and that has fostered the current anti-Japanese sentiment.
That is another subject we can debate,
but let's return to the topic at hand.
Additionally, securing the Southern Manchuria Railway,
which connects Changchun and Lushun, is another major factor.
Sixty-two meters on either side of this route, which is roughly equal to the distance between Tokyo and Shimonoseki,
All land from the countryside to the train stations are considered part of our nation,
and we have exclusive administrative rights over them.
This land is expected to help relieve the current economic depression facing our nation.
1931 (Showa 6) September 15th The South Manchuria Railway in Northeastern China
Is that a Rolleiflex?
A 6cm x 6cm twin lens reflex camera, right?
Do you mind if I take a look?
S-Sure.
The lenses are parallel with each other, huh?
It's easy to see with this.
Are you a professional cameraman?
I'm a journalist from Manchu, Japan.
Since you're a journalist, have you ever used a Leica?
It's very convenient.
The film is coarse in a 35mm.
You're very practical.
If you get caught up in the mundane details, the interesting things will pass you by.
Thank you.
Hey, I found some open seats.
Let's sit down.
What's wrong?
Well, I feel like I've met that officer somewhere before...
Fengtian
It's been about 2 years now.
Japan is in a depression, and I heard land was easy to come by here.
But lately, the locals are vandalizing the fields.
They don't seem to like that there are Japanese people here.
But, I'm right next to the rails. There's no question that this is Japanese territory.
Am I wrong?
Man... it's getting bad.
They cut phone lines and tear up the tracks.
There's no end to it.
I don't know why they'd do such a thing.
South Manchuria Railway, Fengtian Administrative Building
They're not allowed to have a line that runs parallel to the Southern Manchuria Railway!
The forces of Zhang Xueliang are completely ignoring the terms of the treaty!
They're disrupting our business!
On top of that, their freight rates are a third of ours!
The decrease of revenue of the South Manchuria Railway this year is unprecedented!
Everyone is enduring quite a bit.
Wherever we go, all we hear about are the locals.
Well, it is our company's policy to gather information on the growing anti-Japanese sentiment in Manchuria.
So it's to be expected, right?
Yeah, but creating unnecessary animosity by printing these stories all the time is a little...
We still have some time before we interview Morishima Ryouji.
Originally, the Manchurian warlord Zhang Zuolin was cordial with Japan.
In comparison, his successor, Zhang Xueliang, is fiercely anti-Japanese.
That is undeniably the foundation of the chaos in Manchuria.
Well, since the father was assassinated, why would the son stay quiet about it?
It's coming up on three years now.
1928 (Showa 3) June 4th, 1km south of Fengtian Station
We reported that an agent of Chiang Kai-shek
destroyed Zhang Zuolin's train.
But, there are a lot of people who think there was Japanese involvement, right?
Zhang Zuolin gradually stopped doing Japan's bidding, so they made it look like the KMT assassinated him.
The Kwangtung Army uses that as an excuse to control the entirety of Manchuria.
Even if there was such a plot, nothing happened afterwards.
Nothing happened because there wasn't enough support.
If their superiors don't approve, the military can't lift a finger.
But now...
Yeah, the atmosphere has changed, indeed.
It seems a proactive faction from within the military is spreading its influence.
Among them are the Kwangtung Army's Itagaki Seishirou and...
Ishihara Kanji.
That's it!
The soldier I met on the train was Ishihara Kanji!
The military is currently quite boisterous with their hard-line views.
They are being officious, but it is something that must occur eventually.
Indeed, the military is putting great effort into their endeavors.
As usual, Director Tatekawa has sound reasoning.
He's exactly right.
Somebody must take Manchuria.
Fengtian Japanese Consulate-General
Artillery?
Howitzers.
We heard rumors that they were brought to the Kwangtung Army garrison in Fengtian.
Has the consulate-general heard anything about it?
I don't know.
Morishima Ryouji, please tell the truth.
It's a dangerous rumor.
Much like another similar and significant incident.
Is something similar to the Zhang Zhoulin train explosion going to happen?
Everyone in the press is concerned.
Concerned?
Fengtian Deputy Consul General
You guys would profit if something were to happen.
Oh, come now...
The trajectory is to Zhang Xueliang's headquarters to the north.
Battalion Commander, if there are no difficulties with the operation, carry on as planned.
Be prepared.
Operations Commander Ishiwara.
You have a telegram.
Tatekawa-san is being sent here.
But, he was just on the radio...
That was a recording.
He may be a hindrance to the operation.
Damn it.
It was probably the locals.
Over here.
This rock's the culprit.
It says, "Don't write nonsense."
They knew it was a press vehicle.
What do they mean "nonsense?"
We're just writing about the complaints of the Japanese people.
Shall we ask them about their complaints as well?
You can't be serious.
Our readers are Japanese.
Why would we ask them their opinions?
Fengtian Military Covert Ops
The operation has already been leaked!
We should just carry on with it!
It'll work out after it's done!
Don't be so rash.
Aria-san, you said, "If an incident were to occur, we could capture South Manchuria in two days."
You're quite the blow-hard when you're drunk.
Your big mouth is unbecoming of a covert ops soldier.
Furueda, what proof do you have?!
Just calm down.
The reason for Tatekawa-san's dispatch has not been confirmed yet.
Colonel Itagaki.
Doesn't Chief Tatekawa feel the same way about Manchuria as we do?
Certainly, he wouldn't object.
I wonder about that.
The former hero is now just another cog in the General Staff Headquarters.
If he comes bearing orders from the Emperor,
we would become traitors.
I didn't have time to eat. Don't mind me. Please continue.
Shall we decide with this?
Please be serious.
We can't do that for something this important.
No.
We have been unable to reach a conclusion after all this discussion.
We may have to leave it up to the heavens.
If it falls to the right, we proceed.
If it's to the left, we abort.
September 18th, Anhou Line Benxi Lake Station
Come in.
Pardon me.
It's you.
Thank you for traveling such a long way.
Fengtian Station has a lot of passengers arriving and departing,
so I came to make sure you didn't lose your way.
I won't run away.
That's a very fitting response, Tatekawa-san.
I feel relieved.
Tatekawa-san is?!
Yes, I sense something disruptive is going to occur...
if Chief Tatekawa was dispatched from General Staff Headquarters to Fengtian.
Fengtian Consul General
Are you sure he's not here to observe drills?
We just received word yesterday from the police chief in Fushun.
The police force received orders from the garrison that the army was going to conduct a large-scale drill.
But Consul General, the rumored howitzers were being shipped in,
and the recent activities of the army aren't peaceful.
Maybe Chief Tatekawa is here to spur the Kwangtung Army into Manchuria.
The Sixth Squad, led by Patrol Leader Tatekawa,
boldly challenges infiltrating the lands held by the Russian army.
Where will the decisive battle...
Tatekawa-san, to our youngsters, you are a hero who ventured 300km into enemy territory.
Your accomplishments in that one-way battle can be called legendary.
Just like when you pretended to be a Russian soldier and broke through their lines,
don't you want to see a warhorse carrying the Japanese flag in these lands once again?
Everyone believes that you have come to stop our plans.
The Kwangtung Army is acting independently.
Have you heard about it?
Only the rumors.
Miakezaka, Department of the Army, Minister of War
The Emperor was asking about it as well.
Will you go to Manchuria for me?
If there are any movements...
Are you asking me to stop them?
You seem displeased.
The Meiji Era ended long ago.
Times are different now than during the Russo-Japanese War.
We cannot desperately ride a runaway horse.
Stopping them is the unpleasant duty of our times.
Fengtian Station
I see.
No, sorry for your trouble.
Check with the places the military frequents.
We'll check them one by one.
Yes, sir.
Connect me to the restaurant Kikubun in Yanagimachi.
Yes. Soldiers?
Please hold for a moment.
Hello, sorry about that.
Soldiers?
No, I don't see any among the customers today.
Itagaki, have some too.
You haven't been keeping up.
No, I'll call it a night.
But you barely had any.
What happened to the man who was admired for his heavy drinking?
Or maybe you have an important matter to attend to after this?
Pretend what I'm about to say is a drunkard's ramblings.
Just recently, something strange happened after the radio interview.
While I was going home by car...
What's wrong?
I'm very sorry. The engine seems to be acting up.
Please wait a moment.
As if I was entranced, I couldn't say a word.
And this is what that woman said.
One day you will be torn between your ideals and your position.
It's just like this situation.
My decision will greatly influence history.
After saying that, the woman disappeared.
Don't make that face.
I told you it was nonsense.
No, we may have met that woman as well.
What did you say?
If it falls to the right, we proceed.
If it's to the left, we abort.
According to the chopstick, we should abort.
It may have appeared like we were fooling around,
but we were serious.
And then...
Who's permission did you receive to enter here?!
Answer!
What?! What happened?!
This decision will influence the path our country will take.
Who are you?!
How do you know that?!
Wait.
Can you see it?
Our path?
The path of our country?
Then, answer me.
What are we supposed to do?
You are... not allowed to ask that.
Hey.
Somebody get a light.
Where's the woman?
S-She's gone!
Excuse me...
It won't open.
You need to unlock it.
Oh, here it is.
Was that person...
A prophet.
Is that the one who has controlled our history from the shadows since the beginning of time?
Do you believe that?
The Kamakura shogunate persecuted Saint Nichiren,
and was attacked by Mongolia in return.
Would it upset you if I said that?
I've heard that the prophet doesn't specifically guide you to a path,
but only presents the possibilities.
Are you saying that the woman I met was the prophet as well?
Since the prophet has appeared, the will of God has been granted to us.
We will be the ones to decide.
Fengtian, near Liutiao Lake, 1931 (Showa 6) September 18th 10:20PM
The Southern Manchuria Railway was bombed near Liutiao Lake!
Call everyone in!
Was it the Chinese Army?
That's what they said on the phone.
But...
Who is really going to believe that?
That's a nice horse.
Yeah, I'm told that quite often.
Would you mind if I borrowed it for a bit?
Don't be silly.
I'd feel sorry for the horse if I let a drunkard ride around on it.
The elderly should watch how much they drink.
The elderly shouldn't drink so much, huh?
You got that right.
What was that sound?
Beats me.
Maybe they're beginning a large night drill.
Narumi!
You're late. Let's get to the scene as soon as possible.
We need to show that it was an act of Chinese hostility.
What if it wasn't the Chinese Army?
Hey, now who would want to read an article like that?
And thus, the Manchurian Incident suddenly began, brought on by the delusions of the Kwangtung Army.
They ignored the government's wishes and declared war.
Eventually, the government was unable to ignore this fact.
The Kwangtung Army commandeered the main railroads until February of the following year.
As a result, the first step for the founding of a Manchurian nation was taken.
Episode 07
Incident
History moved again one step forward, when people set their foot onto another peoples land, in order to make a new country.
This country was destined to sooner or later become only a mirage.
On the stage stood expectation and change, and although there was an enormous outcry it raised its head.
In that northern agricultural land the spring snow danced.
And in this country, a person which had supposedly been lost, made, on top of the mirage, its appearance.
Next Episode
"In the Frozen Lands"
Next time: In the Frozen Lands.