Agony of Choice: Matsuoka Yosuke and the Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1880-1946 0739104586, 9780739104583

Table of contents :
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Preface
Acknowledgments
Notes on Japanese and Chinese Names
1 Early Life in Yamaguchi
Childhood in Murozumi
Decision to Go to die United States
Notes
CHAPTER TWO
2 The First American Experience
Idyllic Days in the Pacific Northwest
At die University of Oregon
Meaning of His Early American Experience
America in the 1890s
The Japanese Community in Oregon
Americans and Japanese
Pioneering Spirit, Turner, and Matsuoka
Notes
CHAPTER THREE
3 Diplomat in China, Russia, and America
Foreign Service as a Career
Shanghai and Yamamoto Jötarö
Tcdriku Keiei and Manchuria
Americat Russia» and Manchuria
The China Experience—An Assessment
Marriage and Assignment to St. Petersburg
Assignment in Washington» D.C.
World War 1 and the Twenty-One Demands
Notes
4 From Tokyo to Versailles
Intelligence Work in Kasumigaseki
Motono’s Plan for Intervention in Siberia
Economic Development Plan for Siberia
Matsuoka and Shidehara
A New Approach to the China Question
Information Section Chief at Versailles
The Shandong Question
Propaganda Tour of the United States
Notes
5 Railway Politics in Manchuria
Containment of the Soviets through Railways
Disputes with Shidehara on die Zhang Zuolin Issue
Notes
Revolutionary China, SMR, and Japanese Politics
Northern Expedition and the Seiydkai
Fact-Finding Mission to China
Impressions of Revolutionary China
A New Approach to China
Chiang Kai-shek and Seiyükai
The SMR Vice Presidency
Ambivalence in Tanaka’s Continental Policy
The Jinan Incident, Tanaka, and Matsuoka
The Zhang Zuolin Assassination
Second SMR Experience—An Assessment
Notes
6 Negotiating with Zhang Zuolin
7 Seiyükai Politics and Shanghai Assignment
Standing for Election
Freshman Diet Member
Manchurian Incident and Inukai Cabinet
Truce Agreement for Shanghai
Notes
8 Withdrawal from the League of Nations
Foreign Minister Uchida’s Political Task
Matsuoka’s Selection as the Delegate
Departure and Moscow Stopover
A New Style in Geneva
Great Powers vs. Small Powers
Collapse of the Conciliation Commission
Collision Course with Tokyo and with the League
Why Withdrawal?
Tour of the United States
A Hero’s Return
Lasting Impact of Geneva Experience
Notes
CHAPTER NINE
9 Political Party Dissolution Movement
Starting the Dissolution Movement
Matsuoka in Action—Publications and Speaking Tours
Youth Corps and Ultimate Goal
Money Trail of Support from Former Colleagues
Departure for Manchuria
Notes
10 Manchukuo, Guandong Army, and the SMR
The Guandong Army and the SMR
The Manchukuo Government and the SMR
Matsuoka’s Outlook for the SMR
North China Development Plans
Restructuring of the SMR—Phase One
The China Incident and the Manchuria Industrial Development Corporation
Other SMR Activities
Notes
11 Becoming Master of Kasumigaseki
Charting a New Political Course
Tilt toward Konoe Fumimaro
Ogikubo Conference
The Matsuoka Cyclone
Notes
12 Alliance with Germany
Preparing for Negotiation
Ôshima Hiroshi and Heinrich Stahmer
Beginning of Negotiations
Imperial Conference and Signing Ceremony
Political Assessment
Notes
13 China and Southeast Asia
Background Leading to Matsuoka's Covert Negotiations
Matsuoka and the Qian Yongming Project
Matsuoka’s View of China» 1940
Bureau of South Sea Affairs
Northern French Indochina
Economic Agreements with French Indochina
Mediation of Thai-French Indochinese Border Dispute
The Dutch East Indies
China and Southeast Asia in Matsuoka’s Grand Strategy
Notes
14 European Tour and Neutrality Pact with USSR
Passage to Moscow
In the Nazi Capital
Rome and the Vatican
Return to Berlin
Neutrality Pact
Neutrality Pact in Matsuoka’s Grand Design
Return to Tokyo
Notes
15 Approaches to the United States
Preventing a Third Term for FDR
Grew and Matsuoka
Appointment of Nomura as Ambassador
Walsh-Drought and Private Diplomacy
Proposal for Understanding
Matsuoka Confronts His Enemies
Visit to Washington—An Unfulfilled Dream
Germany Attacks Russia
Denouement
Matsuoka’s Ouster—in Retrospect
Notes
16 The Later Years
An Attempt for a Last-Ditch Resistance
Life as a War Criminal
In His Own Defense
Death
Notes
17 Reflections and Assessment
China, Manchuria, and Japan’s Lifeline
Approaches to the United States
Matsuoka and America
Success and Failure—A Balance Sheet
Personality
Notes
Bibliography
Official Documents
Unpublished Private and Semi-Official Papers
Other Primary Sources and Secondary Works in Japanese
Secondary Works in Western Languages
Newspapers» Journals» and Magazines
Books by Matsuoka Yösuke
Index
About the Author

Citation preview

Agony of Choice

S t u d ie s

of

M o d ern J apan

Series Editor: Edward R . Beauchamp, University of Hawaii Studies o f Modem Japan is a multidisciplinary series drat will consist primarily of original studies on a broad spectrum o f topics dealing with Japan since the M eiji restoration o f 1868. Additionally, die series aims to bring back into print classic works that died new light on contemporary Japan. In all cases, the goal is to pub­ lish the best scholarship available, by both established and rising scholars in the held, in order to better understand Japan and the Japanese during the modem pe­ riod and into the future.

Editorial Advisory Board W illiam K. Cummings, American University Sin’ichi Kitaoka, Tokyo University Sharon M inichiello, University o f Hawaii M asato Miyachi, Tokyo University T. J. Pempel, University o f California, Berkeley Merry W hite, Boston University

Titles in the Series Jews in the Japanese Mind: The History and Uses o f a Cultural Stereotype, by David G . Goodman and Masanori Miyazawa The Japanese Economy Since die End o f the M irade: Trouble, Bubble, and Muddle, by Arthur J. Alexander Chßshüm the Meiji Restoration, by Albert M. Craig Japan and die Security o f A sia, by Louis D. Hayes The Web o f Power: Japanese and German Development Cooperation Policy, by KozoKato Unhappy Soldier: Hino Ashihei and Japanese World War II Literature, by David M. Rosenfeld Spanning Japan’s Modem Century: The Memoirs of Hugh Borton, by Hugh Borton A Yankee m Hokkaido: The Life of William Smith Clark, by John M. Maki Agony o f Choice: Matsuoka Yösuke and die Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1880-1946, by David J. Lu

Agony of Choice M atsuoka Yösuke and the Rise and Fall o f the Japanese Em pire, 1880-1946

David J. Lu

IÆXINGTON BOOKS Lanham • Boulder • New York • Oxford

LEXINGTON BOOKS Published in the United States of America by Lexington Books A Member o f the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706 PO Box 317 Oxford OX2 9R U .U K Copyright C 2002 by David J. Lu

All rights reserved. N o part o f this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission o f the publisher. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available Library o f C ongress C ataloging-in-Publkation D ata Lu, David John, 1928Agony o f choice : Matsuoka Yfisuke and the rise and fall o f the Japanese Empire, 1880-1946 / David J. Yu. p. cm. — (Studies o f modem Japan) Rev. and abridged ed. oft Matsuoka Yfisuke and his times, 1880-1946. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7391-0458-6 1. Matsuoka, Yfisuke, 1880-1946. 2. Statesman—Japan—Biography. 3. Japan—Foreign relations— 1912-1945. 4. Japan—Politics and government— 1912-1945. I. Lu, David John, 1928- Matsuoka Yfisuke and his times, 1880-1946. II. 11116. III. Series. DS890 .M46 L8 2002 327.52'0092—dc21 2002010670 Printed in the United States of America 0 ™ The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence o f Paper for Printed Library Materials, AN SI/N ISO Z39.48-1992.

In your hearts, vow before God that you will not let the Pacific Ocean be a wide expan se that separates you from the East, but let it be a waterway that unites you with us, and in this way let die coining Pacific civilization be, in fact, what th e nam e o f the ocean indicates. Matsuoka Yfisuke, University o f Oregon, April 1933

M atsuoka Yösuke relaxing at hom e, 1

In Memory o f Matsuoka Ryüko, Matsuoka Kenichirö, and Tajima Kaneko

Contents

Preface

xi

Acknowledgments

xv

Notes on Japanese and Chinese Names

xvii

Early Life in Yamaguchi

1

The First American Experience

6

Diplomat in China, Russia, and America

17

From Tokyo to Versailles

29

Railway Politics in Manchuria

43

Revolutionary China, SM R, and Japanese Politics

52

SeiyOkai Politics and Shanghai Assignment

66

Withdrawal horn the League o f Nations

77

Political Party Dissolution Movement

106

Manchukuo, Guandong Army, and the SM R

120

Becoming Master of Kasumigaseki

138

Alliance with Germany

154

China and Southeast Asia

173

European Tour and Neutrality Pact with U SSR

197

Approaches to the United States

213

x

^

Contents

Chapter 16

The Later Years

246

Chapter 17

Reflections and Assessment

261

Appendix: Books by Matsuoka YQsuke

275

Bibliography

277

Index

292

About die Author

308

Preface

M atsuoka Yflsuke was a major figure in world politics in the first h alf o f the twenti­ eth century. He did not participate directly in Japan's decision for war, but the policies that he pursued as Japan’s foreign minister in 1940-1941 unalterably changed the course o f history for Japan and the United States. Between 1933 and 1941. he was the best known Japanese around the world. A t five foot three, dûs diminutive man stood shoulder to shoulder with great leaders of his time. He met with Franklin Roosevelt, A dolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Pope Pius XII, and Chiang Kai-shek. He was a colleague o f Konoe Michitaka and Tbjô Hideki. The only major leader o f the World War II he foiled to meet per­ sonally was W inston Churchill. He was Japan's first and most successful media foreign minister. When Matsuoka spoke, the world listened. Matsuoka spent his formative years (between the ages of 13 through 22) in die United States, and his American experience colored his entire career. His media savvy approach to politics was direcdy inspired by his chance meeting with William Jennings Bryan in Oakland, California, in 1896. He traveled from one end o f Japan to die other, stumping for grassroots support, in obvious emulation o f the great com­ moner. In the consensus-driven Japanese society, he chose to act alone. The lure o f a lone ranger riding into the sunset was irresistible to him. He was an empire-builder in Manchuria, and freely appropriated the vocabulary o f the American frontier to defend Japan's actions. One o f his earliest diplomatic successes was the conclusion o f a truce agreement in Shanghai in 1932. It was made possible because o f his own moderate views toward China and his ability to work closely with die British. In 1933, as Japan’s chief delegate to the League of Nations, he urged his government to cooperate with the American government fully so that Japan could avoid the disaster o f withdrawing from die League. His emergence as a national hero in the drama of withdrawal was a pure accident In 1940, he concluded an alliance with Germany. It was a direct challenge to the might o f the United States. His public statements became vitriolic, as he spoke o f

xii

Preface

the victory o f totalitarianism over democracy. He left little room for compromise with the United States. In the waning days of the war, a group o f army staff officers plotted to kidnap Emperor Shöwa, incarcerate him in a cave complex in Matsushiro in Central Japan, and continue the war in his name. Matsuoka was their choice to head a cabinet of resistance, because they found in him a man who could articulate their own views and give justification for their hatred o f America. W hat became of this man who had once called America his second home? This question can be joined with the questions Americans have been asking since the terrorist attacks on September 11,2001: "Why do they hate us?” “ Why do peo­ ple who were educated in the United States, who have enjoyed the benefit o f an open and democratic society, turn against the very society that has nurtured them?” These questions deal not only with the issue o f national security but also with the ef­ ficacy o f cultural exchange, which has been one o f the key elements in postwar diplomacy. Matsuoka’s life is a case study that can provide some answers. In this work, I have described his experience in the Pacific Northwest (chapter 2), his ear­ lier moderate views (chapters 3 and 7), and his metamorphosis into a “double pa­ triot” (chapter 9). It was political exigency that led him to appeal to the fringes of the political spectrum. He had to play the tunes they wanted to hear, and in die process he himself became entrapped. W hat makes a study o f Matsuoka so fascinating is that he could not be type­ cast in one position for long. He aligned with Hitler, but helped 5,000 East European Jews in their escape from Nazi persecution. I remember the words o f German Ambassador Eugen O tt very clearly: Matsuoka was always at heart “proAm erican.” In January 1975, 1 visited Sato Eisaku to offer congratulations for receiving the N obel Peace Prize. I inquired about who was most responsible in shaping his views about world affairs. He named two—Yoshida Shigeru and Matsuoka. “U ncle YOsuke,” as he called him, “had a vision for a Pacific civiliza­ tion,” said Sato. “He taught me that Japan’s destiny was closely tied with that of the United States, and the two countries should cooperate fully.” In another day and age, M atsuoka could well have become an architect o f peace, not o f war as the previous description would indicate. This ambivalence in Matsuoka’s views was an accurate reflection o f the roads that japan had traversed, and in that sense Matsuoka represented modem Japan well. The Japanese empire prospered as long as the Anglo-J apanese alliance gave it a protective shield and declined when Japan chose to part company with the West on issues relating to China. As a diplomat, Matsuoka was caught in the maelstrom o f changes that were taking place. Decisions he had to make were often painfully difficult to reach. In St. Paul’s notion made familiar by Matthew Arnold’s words: “We do not what we ought; what we ought not, we do.” Agony of choice was ever­ present throughout his life. Matsuoka gave his own and rather convincing answers to such questions as Japan’s withdrawal from the League o f Nations (chapter 8), entering into alliance

Preface