Summary of Key Points
This news article reveals the hidden history of modern Japanese journalists who concealed their espionage activities in China under the guise of journalism, through the discovery and study of the “Mozu Archives.” Professor Yu Fan from Shandong University’s new book, *Behind the Masks*, uncovers the dual identities of Japanese journalists such as Mozu Shigerutaro and Sōga Kotarō—on the surface, they were journalists, but in reality, they collected intelligence and built propaganda networks for Japan’s aggressive expansion. The article also analyzes the social roots that drove these journalists to act as spies on their own initiative and the lessons history can teach us today.
I. The Mozu Archives: A “Secret Intelligence Box” Protected by General Wu Shi
The Mozu Archives consist of 220 million words of clippings collected by Japanese journalist Mozu Shigerutaro between 1913 and 1940, covering topics such as Sino-Japanese relations, military affairs, and economics. These are unique materials for studying Japan’s intelligence activities during its invasion of China. The archives were preserved on the Chinese mainland thanks to General Wu Shi: before being dispatched to Taiwan in 1949, he entrusted them to the Fujian Institute of Social Sciences, which later merged into the Xiamen University library.
Why wasn’t this archive studied in depth before? Because little was known about Mozu Shigerutaro. It took Professor Yu Fan three years to piece together some of his life story. He began as a literary enthusiast but failed to establish himself in Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War. Through a friend’s recommendation, he became a correspondent for the *Fukuoka Nichi-Nichi Shimbun* in Beijing and later embraced militarism, even helping Japan purchase pig iron (a strategic resource) from Shanxi. The changes in the style of his notes and clippings indicate his transition from a journalist to an intelligence agent.
II. Spies Under the “Journalist Mask”: “China Experts” Serving Aggression
These Japanese journalists were not ordinary reporters; they were frontline agents of aggression:
- Sōga Kotarō: During the First Sino-Japanese War, he identified the weak points of the Beiyang Fleet’s Weihaiwei fortifications (the absence of defenses behind the cliffs), allowing the Japanese army to take a flanking route. He also acquired the *Han Bao* newspaper and used foreign ministry funds to publish it, supporting reformist factions while influencing public opinion in Japan’s favor.
- Tsuruzawa Yoshisuke: Using the *Beiping Shimbun* as a cover, he established an intelligence network to assist the Kwantung Army’s aggression.
- Mozu Shigerutaro: Although he published fewer articles after 1926, his clippings became more substantial, and he began to make annotations. Professor Yu Fan speculates that he shifted to intelligence work around this time and later even associated with the Kwantung Army, advocating for Japan’s invasion of China.
Their reports were directly delivered to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, serving as crucial references for decision-making during the aggression.
III. Why Did Japanese Journalists Act as Spies on Their Own Initiative?
It wasn’t government coercion; rather, a societal consensus on expansion drove them:
- Resource Anxiety: As an island nation with limited resources, Japan’s industrialization after the Meiji Restoration necessitated access to raw materials, leading to a “continental policy” that viewed Chinese resources as available for exploitation (following the logic of Shōgoka Yasuho).
- Group Mission Sense: There was a widespread belief that contributing to national expansion was one’s duty. For example, Sōga Kotarō funded his own trip to northern China at the age of 23 to gather intelligence, and Kuda Nobuo voluntarily provided information to the government—no one forced them.
- The Soil of Militarism: The Japanese military held significant power (the Army Minister had to be a active-duty officer, and dissatisfaction could lead to the dissolution of the cabinet), and the Great Kanto Earthquake spurred a shift towards fascism, making expansion a national goal.
IV. Lessons from History: Beware of the Dangers Behind Masks
Professor Yu Fan emphasizes that studying these historical events is to “reveal the truth and provide lessons for today”:
- Beware of Professional Disguises: Japanese journalists used journalism as a cover; similar pretenders may still exist today, such as those collecting intelligence under the guise of academic or cultural exchanges.
- Protect Historical Materials: The Mozu Archives nearly ended up in Taiwan but were saved by General Wu Shi. Historical records are crucial for uncovering the truth and should not be lost.
- Recognize the True Nature of Aggression: The actions of these journalists were not individual acts but part of Japan’s national expansion strategy. We must remember that any aggression disguised as cooperation is hidden behind a mask.
This news article reminds us that history is not a distant story; it warns us to be vigilant against hidden motives beneath seemingly friendly surfaces. Professor Yu Fan’s research helps us peel back the masks and see the truth.