ABSTRACT
The explosion on the South Manchurian Railway on 18 September 1931 was undeniably the starting-point for a new stage in relations between Japan and Manchuria. Equally, however, it takes its place in the longer history of SinoJapanese tension in the region. This chapter outlines the context within which the Manchurian Incident occurred, before proceeding to an overview of its consequences and reactions to it both within Japan and internationally.
