page_title: History of Japanese foreign relations
section_title: Puppet states in China
hierarchical_section_title: History of Japanese foreign relations / World War II / Imperial rule / Puppet states in China
caption_attribution_description: English: Showa Steel Works in Anshan 日本語: 鞍山の昭和製鋼所
context_page_description: History of Japanese foreign relations deals with the international relations in terms of diplomacy, economics and political affairs from about 1850 to 2000. The kingdom was virtually isolated before the 1850s, with limited contacts through Dutch traders. The Meiji Restoration was a political revolution that installed a new leadership that was eager to borrow Western technology and organization. The government in Tokyo carefully monitored and controlled outside interactions. Japanese delegations to Europe brought back European standards which were widely imposed across the government and the economy. Trade flourished, as Japan rapidly industrialized.
  European-style imperialism and colonialism were borrowed, as in the late 19th century Japan defeated China, and acquired numerous colonies, including Formosa and Okinawa. The rapid advanced in Japanese military prowess stunned the world in 1904–1905 when it decisively defeated Russia and gained recognition as a world power. Imperialism continued as it took control of Korea, and began moving into Manchuria. Its only military alliance was with Great Britain. During 1902–1923.
context_section_description: Japan set up puppet regimes in Manchuria ("Manchukuo") and China; proper; they vanished at the end of the war.
  Manchuria, the historic homeland of the Manchu dynasty, had an ambiguous character after 1912.  It was run by local warlords.  The Japanese Army seized control in 1931, and set up a puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932 for the 34,000,000 inhabitants.  Other areas were added, and over 800,000 Japanese moved in as administrators.  The nominal ruler was Puyi, who as a small child had been the last Emperor of China.  He was deposed during the revolution of 1911, and now the Japanese brought him back in a powerless role.  Only Axis countries recognized Manchukuo.  The United States in 1932 announced the Stimson Doctrine stating that it would never recognize Japanese sovereignty.  Japan modernized the economy and operated it as a satellite to the Japanese economy.  It was out of range of American bombers, so its factories were expanded and continued their output to the end.  Manchukuo  was returned to China in 1945.  When Japan seized control of China proper in 1937–38, the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army set up the Reorganized National Government of China, a puppet state, under the nominal leadership of Wang Ching-wei (1883–1944). It was based in  Nanjing. The Japanese were in full control; the puppet state declared war on the Allies in 1943.  Wang was allowed to administer the International Settlement in Shanghai.  The puppet state had an army of 900,000 soldiers, and was positioned against the Nationalist army under Chiang Kai-shek.  It did little fighting.
caption: Shōwa Steel Works was a mainstay of the Economy of Manchukuo
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