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

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Agony of Choice, the life of Japanese statesman and diplomat Matsuoka Yosuke, offers a vivid narrative of twentieth-century Japanese diplomatic history. Matsuoka was an American-educated Japanese foreign minister who became a vocal advocate of Japanese expansionism in echo of the America he so admired. His promotion of alliances and relationships with countries such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, however, not only led Japan to war with the United States but also led to Matsuoka's involvement with and eventual indictment for atrocities committed during the war. Through extensive archival research and fascinating personal interviews, David Lu explores Matsuoka's pivotal role in the drama of Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations, empire-building in Asia, and the development of interwar Japanese politics. 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