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Iwane Matsui Quotes

Iwane Matsui was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the commander of the expeditionary force sent to China in 1937. He was convicted of war crimes and executed by the Allies for his involvement in the Nanjing Massacre.

Born in Nagoya, Matsui chose a military career and served in combat during the Russo-Japanese War . He volunteered for an overseas assignment there shortly after graduating from the Army War College in 1906. As Matsui rose through the ranks, he earned a reputation as the Japanese Army's foremost expert on China, and he was an ardent advocate of pan-Asianism. He played a key role in founding the influential Greater Asia Association.

Matsui retired from active duty in 1935 but was called back into service in August 1937 at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War to lead the Japanese forces engaged in the Battle of Shanghai. After winning the battle Matsui succeeded in convincing Japan's high command to advance on the Chinese capital city of Nanjing. The troops under his command who captured Nanjing on December 13 were responsible for the notorious Nanjing Massacre.

Matsui finally retired from the army in 1938. Following Japan's defeat in World War II he was convicted of war crimes at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and executed by hanging. He and other convicted war criminals were enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine in 1978, an act that has stirred controversy. Wikipedia  

✵ 27. July 1878 – 23. December 1948
Iwane Matsui photo
Iwane Matsui: 9 quotes0 likes

Famous Iwane Matsui Quotes

“The China Incident [of 1937 onwards] has resulted in massive loss of life through the mutual killing of neighboring friends. This is the greatest tragedy of the last one thousand years. Nevertheless this is a holy war to save the peoples of East Asia…. Invoking the power of Avalokitesvara, I pray for the bright future of East Asia.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Zen War Stories" - Page 186 - by Daizen Victoria - History - 2003.

“There's no solution except to break the power of Chiang Kai-shek by capturing Nanking. That is what I must do.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Tennou no guntai to Nankin jiken" by Yoshida Hiroshi - 1998 Aoki shoten, page 71.

“Prince Asaka had joined the army only about ten days before its entry into Nanking and in view of the short time he was connected with this army I do not think he can be held responsible. I would say that the Division Commanders are the responsible parties.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Nanking: Anatomy of an Atrocity" - Page 232 - by Masahiro Yamamoto - History - 2000.

“Japan will not abandon the fight for the Philippines even if Tokyo should be reduced to ashes!”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Nips to Keep Philippines Even if Tokyo Falls" - Los Angeles Times - February 4, 1945.

“I am confident that the day is not far distant when the light of peace shine again.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Scourge of China is Matsui's Aim" - New York Times article - October 9, 1937.

“Now I am master of Shanghai.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "America Views China: American Images of China Then and Now" - Page 19 - by Jonathan Goldstein, Jerry Israel, Hilary Conroy - 1991.

“The Japanese army is now prepared to use every means within its power to subdue its opponents. The objectives of the Japanese Expeditionary Forces are, as clearly set forth in statements issued by the Japanese Government, not only to protect the vested interests of Japan and the lives and property of the Japanese residents in the affected area, but also to scourge the Chinese Government and army who have een pursuing anti-foreign and anti-Japanese policies in collaboration with Communist influences.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Shanghai's Undeclared War" - by George C. Bruce - 1937 - Page 54.

“Orderly discipline and morale within an army was the responsibility of the Division Commander.”

Iwane Matsui

Quoted in "Nanking: Anatomy of an Atrocity" - Page 232 - by Masahiro Yamamoto - History - 2000.

“The Tribunal is satisfied that Matsui knew what was happening. He did nothing, or nothing effective to abate these horrors. He did issue orders before the capture of the city enjoining propriety of conduct upon his troops and later he issued further orders to the same purport. These orders were of no effect as is now known, and as he must have known. It was pleaded in his behalf that at this time he was ill. His illness was not sufficient to prevent his conducting the military operations of his command nor to prevent his visiting the City for days while these atrocities were occurring. He was in command of the Army responsible for these happenings. He knew of them. He had the power, as he had the duty, to control his troops and to protect the unfortunate citizens of Nanking. He must be held criminally responsible for his failure to discharge this duty.”

Iwane Matsui

Tribunal decision.

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