978 Chapter 7
200 UNITED KINGDOM/740 JAPANMID#248
Started in January 1932. See the narrative in the 2 United States of America/740 Japan
dyad dispute list.
MID#258
Started in March 1939. See the narrative in the 255 Germany/290 Poland dyad dispute
list.
MID#337
Dispute Number: 337
Date(s): June 14, 1939 to February 17, 1940
Participants: 740 Japan/200 United Kingdom, 220 France
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In the lead up to World War II, Anglo-Japanese relations were progres-
sively getting worse. The tipping point occurred in the summer of 1939, after British
authorities refused to hand over four Chinese accused of assassinating a pro-Japanese
customs inspector to the Japanese military. In response, the Japanese army began to
blockade French and British concessions in Tientsin on June 14, 1939.
On November 25, 1939, the British went forward with their own plans for institut-
ing a blockade to seize German exports. There were protests by six neutral nations,
and Japan threatened Britain that it would reciprocate seizures. On January 21, 1940,
British forces seized 21 German seamen off of a Japanese liner, Asama Maru, off of
Yokohama; a second seizure (the Tatsuta Maru) occurred two days later. On January
30, Japan lodged a second complaint and stiffened their stance to stressing that the
return of the Germans was essential. On February 6, Britain agreed to release nine of
the 21 Germans, but the Japanese refused the offer and wanted all of the German pas-
sengers released to Japan. On February 17, the Japanese government forbid Japanese
shipping lines and ferries to carry “nationals of belligerent powers of military age.”
The German press criticized Tokyo for accepting British demands.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from December 14, 1938. End Date changed
from June 20, 1940.
MID#1749
Dispute Number: 1749
Date(s): January 21, 1940
Participants: 200 United Kingdom/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None