ALBUM – view my Manchukuo album

Fast Facts

Region: China Area
Group: Japanese Puppet States and Occupations
Classification: Puppet state
Prior Regime: Republic of China
Key Dates:
  1931 – Japan invades Manchuria
  1932, Mar 1 – Manchukuo state formed by the Japanese
  1934, Mar 1 – The Empire of Manchukuo was proclaimed with the Coronation of Emperor Pu-Yi
  1935, Apr – Emperor Puyi visits Japan for discussions with the Emperor of Japan
  1937, Jul 7 – The second Sino-Japanese war begins
  1941, Dec 7 – World War 2 in the Pacific starts with the bombing of Pearl Harbor
  1945, Aug 8 – Soviet Forces Invaded Manchukuo, ending the Empire.
Following Regime: Soviet Occupation of Manchuria
Scott Catalogue: (Manchukuo) 1-164, C1-C5
Pick Catalogue: (Manchukuo) J120-J146

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History

In the late 1800’s the Japanese began an aggressive expansion onto the Asian mainland, primarily to create a buffer between Japan and the expansion of the Russian empire into the Far East. In 1894-95 Japan invaded Korea causing the first Sino-Japanese War. Seeing that the world was unwilling to support China, they extracted harsh concessions to end the war. In addition to making Korea “independent”, Japan demanded Formosa (Taiwan) and the the strategic Kwantung Peninsula on the southern coast of Manchuria. In Korea, the Japanese disposed the King and installed a Japanese puppet government. Eventually Japan annexed Korea to be a part of Japan in 1910.

Continuing their expansion, Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and on March 9th, transitioned from a Military Government to establish the Manchu State (Manchukuo). To attempt to set up legitimacy of the government, they invited the last Emperor of China, Aisin Gioro Puyi, who lived in the Japanese concession of Tianjin to serve as Chief Executive of Manchukuo. Over time, only 23 of the 80 official nations in existence recognized ever Manchukuo. Including Germany, Italy, Vichy France, the Soviet Union, Spain, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

Two years later, the state was “elevated” to the Empire of Manchkuo, and Chief Executive Puyi was crowned Emperor Kangde. While the name of the country changed, it remained as a puppet government under tight control from Japan. Despite Puyi’s interest in re-instating Chinese traditions and values to the “empire”, he had little real power. The Emperor was assigned Japanese senior staff who kept a tight rein on the Puyi, slowing moving the country to become more Japanese in law, tradition and even religion.

During it’s existence, Japan greatly expanded Manchukuo’s (and all of Manchuria’s) industry capacity and transportation system. The primary purpose was to develop the country as a base for further expansions into China. However, Japan also attempted to build a ideal nation in Asia. This included modernizing the capital and overall infrastructure, as well as increasing cooperation between private and government industries.

All of this was cut short by War. More than 4 years before the start of WW2 in the Pacific, war broke out between Japan and China. The conflict had been brewing for years with the imperial ambitions of Japan and the ongoing civil wars in China, full scale war finally erupted in July of 1937 and Japan launched an invasion of China. And in this war, Manchukuo was the jumping off point for the invasion. Japan took control of various strategic areas in China, but eventually a stalemate was reached in 1939, with Japan in control of key areas including Nanjing, Shanghai and many important coastal regions. However, Japan had now built its war machine to a point that additional raw materials and industrial capacity was needed, which allowed them to initiate the War in the Pacific.

When World War 2 broke out, Manchukuo continued to be a ally of of Japan as national conscription laws were enacted, and military support (men and materials) continued to be a primary industry. After the war in Europe ended, according to the Yalta Conference, the Soviets agreed to enter the war in the Pacific. On Aug, 9th, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and invaded Manchukuo and other parts of Manchuria. This invasion was well timed with the bombings in Hiroshima on Aug 6th and Nagasaki on Aug 9th. The Soviets overwhelmed the troops in Manchukuo and little resistance was encountered. With the surrender of Japan on Aug 15th, Puyi stepped down as “Emperor”, and was captured on Aug 16th, as he was attempting to flee to Tokyo to surrender to the Americans. The Soviets withdrew their troops in May of 1946, after thoroughly plundering the region.

Stamps

ALBUM
Over 13 year history of Manchukuo, a variety of stamps were issued. While Manchukuo was not recognized by most countries, and never joined the Universal Postal Union, most countries delivered their mail.

Definitive stamps come in two periods. From 1932-35, the lower denominations featured the Pagoda at Liaoyang, and the higher denominations a portrait of Puyi when he was Chief Executive. The initial stamps were inscribed at the top “Manchu State Postal Administration” (5 Chinese characters) and after the formation of the empire, the inscription was changed to “Manchu Empire Postal Administration (6 Chinese characters). Beginning in 1936, definitive stamps were re-designed with various scenes of Manchukuo. In 1944, additional stamps were printed but the wartime prints were rather crude.

Manchukuo issued some very interesting and attractive commemorative stamps. When examining the commemorative issues, one could easily follow many of the important events of Manchukuo’s history. These sets include:
– 1st Anniversary of the establishment of Manchukuo – Mar 1, 1933
– Enthronement of Emperor Kang-de – Mar 1, 1934
– Visit of Emperor to Tokyo – Apr 2, 1935
– Postal convention with Japan – Jan 26, 1936
– 5th Anniversary of the establishment of Manchukuo – Mar 1, 1937
– Completion of the national capital, Hsinking – Sept 16, 1937
– Abolition of Japanese extraterritorial rights in Manchukuo – Dec 1, 1937
– New Year’s Greeting – Dec 13, 1937
– Founding of the Red Cross Society in Manchukuo – Oct 15, 1938
– Completion of 10,000 km of railroad in Manchuria – Oct 21, 1939
– 2nd visit of Emperor Puyi to Tokyo – 1940
– Promotion of Oct 1st 1940 National Census – Sept 10, 1940
– 2600th Anniversary of the birth of Japanese Empire – Sep 18, 1940
– Promotion of Jun 1, 1941 conscription law – May 25, 1941
– Commemorating the fall of Singapore – Feb 16, 1942
– 10th anniversary of the establishment of Manchukuo – Mar 1, 1942
– 10th anniversary of the Japanese “formal” recognition of Manchukuo – Sep 15, 1942
– 1st anniversary of the “Greater East War” (WW2) – Dec 8, 1942
– Proclamation of the Compulsory Labor Service Law – May 1, 1943
– 5th anniversary of the founding of the Manchukuo Red Cross – Oct 1, 1943
– 2nd anniversary of the “Greater East War” – Dec 8, 1943
– Friendship with Japan – Oct, 1944
– 10th anniversary of the Emperor’s “rescript” – May 2, 1945

Additionally, in 1936-37, Manchukuo issued a set of four Air Post stamps, similar in design and size as the definitive stamps.

Banknotes

The official currency in Manchukuo was the Manchukuo yuan. 10 li = 1 fen, 10 fen = 1 chiao, 10 chiao = 1 yuan. Originally the yuan was tied to the silver standard, but in 1935 it changed to be pegged to the Japanese yen. During its 13 year existence, Manchukuo released three series of banknotes, 1932, 1935-38 and 1941-45. The Series included the following denominations:
– 1932 – 50 fen, 1, 5, 10, 100 Yuan
– 1935-38 – 50 fen, 1, 5, 10, 100 Yuan
– 1941-34 – 10, 50, 50 fen, 1, 5, 10, 100, 100, 1.000 Yuan

Links

Manchukuo Propaganda Video (1937) – very interesting
Manchukuo History from Wikipedia
Manchukuo Stamps (this is an excellent sight)
The Fascinating stamps of Manchukuo by Michael Rogers
Banknotes of Manchukuo at ATS Notes
Manchukuo Yuan at Wikipedia