The origin of the name "Kwantung Army" in Japan

The origin of the Kwantung Army:

The Japanese Kwantung Army is an important part of the Japanese Army. It was acquired by invading Jin County in Northeast China and the "Kwantung Prefecture" in Dalian. name.

In 1898, the Tsarist Russian government forced the Qing government to "lease" China's Port Arthur and Dalian Bay to Russia, that is, the leased land was designated as a Russian state - known as "Kwantung State".

In February 1904, the Russo-Japanese War broke out, lasted for one year and five months, and ended with Russia's defeat. After the war, according to the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 of the "Treaty of Portsmouth" signed by both parties: Russia "will lease the territorial waters of Port Arthur, Dalian Bay and nearby territories, and the associated lease rights" and "all the "Privileges", as well as "all public housing and property in the area covered by the lease", "the railway between Changchun and Lushun and all branch lines...are transferred to Japan unconditionally". By seizing all the privileges of the Russian invaders in the northeastern and southern regions of China, Japan gained colonies on the Asian continent.

In 1905 (October 18, Meiji 37), in order to consolidate their colonial rule in the South Manchuria region of Northeast China, the Japanese invaders established the Kanto Governorate in Liaoyang, headed by Army General Oshima Yoshimasa. He served as governor, and the Army Department was established in the governor's office.

Since 1907, Japan has stationed one division and six railway garrison brigades in the "Kwantung Prefecture".

On April 12, 1919, Japan changed the Kanto Governor's Office into the Kanto Agency. Based on the former Ministry of War, a separate Kwantung Army Headquarters was formed to implement military and political separation: the Kanto Agency was responsible for justice and administration. The highest organ; the Kwantung Army Headquarters is the highest military organ.

The Kwantung Army Headquarters was first established in Shenyang, and then moved to Lushun. It moved to Shenyang around September 1931, and moved to Changchun around the establishment of the Puppet Manchukuo in 1932 until the eve of its surrender in August 1945. They once relocated to Tonghua and Linjiang in an attempt to rely on the mountainous areas to hold on and resist, but ultimately ended in Japan's unconditional surrender.

The Kwantung Army was defined in the judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East as follows: "The so-called Kwantung Army was stationed in Manchuria in accordance with the Treaty of Portsmouth to protect Japanese interests, including the South Manchuria Railway. "

"Judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East" page 53 (1953 edition)

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Another statement. :

The Kanto Plain is the largest plain in Japan. The Kwantung Army is composed of soldiers from this area. The Kanto region is the richest place in Japan. The quality of the Kwantung Army is the best among the Japanese army, so it has always been regarded as Deployed in Northeast China, it is the strategic reserve of the Japanese army.