Relations remained interrupted through the interwar period. During World War II, Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938 and essentially abolished the Austrian diplomatic service. Although many other missions were absorbed into the German foreign service at least partially, the honorary consul in Tokyo at the time instead opted to leave to Shanghai and rally the Austrian community exiled there, which would lead to his recognition by the Austrian legation in France as "a great patriot". However, he was also utilized by the occupied Foreign Ministry to collect information on the situation there.