Iwane Matsui

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Iwane Matsui

Role / Field:

Japanese general known for his role in the China expeditionary force and the Nanjing Massacre.

Born:

1878-07-27

Died:

1948-12-23

Century / Era:

1878s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Iwane Matsui (松井 石根, Matsui Iwane; July 27, 1878 – December 23, 1948) was a Japanese 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 (1904–05). 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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Following Japan's defeat in World War II he was convicted of war crimes at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) and executed by hanging. He and other convicted war criminals were enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine in 1978, an act that has stirred controversy. Iwane Matsui was born in Nagoya on July 27, 1878. He was the sixth son of Takekuni Matsui, an impoverished samurai and former retainer to the daimyō of Owari during the Tokugawa shogunate. After completing elementary school, his parents insisted that he continue his education, but Matsui worried about his father's debts and did not want to burden him financially.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1878 (1878-07-27): Birth of Iwane Matsui — Japanese general known for his role in the China expeditionary force and the Nanjing Massacre.
2. 1904: 1904 Milestone — Born in Nagoya, Matsui chose a military career and served in combat during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05).
3. 1906: 1906 Milestone — He volunteered for an overseas assignment there shortly after graduating from the Army War College in 1906.
4. 1935: 1935 Milestone — 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.
5. 1938: 1938 Milestone — Matsui finally retired from the army in 1938.
6. 1948 (1948-12-23): Passing & Historical Legacy — Iwane Matsui passed away on 1948-12-23, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
7. 1978: 1978 Milestone — He and other convicted war criminals were enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine in 1978, an act that has stirred controversy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Iwane Matsui

True or False: “Did Iwane Matsui advocate for a partnership between Japan and China to resist Western imperialism?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, he was an ardent proponent of pan-Asianism, believing that Japan and China needed a close commercial partnership under Japanese hegemony.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Iwane Matsui