Asia 815
MID#157
Dispute Number: 157
Date(s): July 7, 1937 to December 7, 1941
Participants: 740 Japan/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Joins ongoing war (Imposed)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: The third Sino-Japanese War started in 1937 and was ultimately absorbed
into the pacific front of the broader world war that ended in 1945. The armistice that
ended second Sino-Japanese War (see MID#129) only accomplished some of the
Japanese objectives. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, like the Mukden Incident for the
previous conflict, served as the casus belli. Here, a July 7, 1937, clash between Japa-
nese and Chinese forces at the Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing served as the pretext
for a Japanese declaration of war. Fighting followed for several years, to considerable
opposition from Western powers, especially the United States (see also, simultane-
ous occupation of Thailand in 1941, MID#613). Annoyed with American objections
and mindful the United States might buttress their objections with force, the Japanese
bombed the American naval forces at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The United
States declared war, following its previous threat regarding the occupation of Thailand.
MID#3208
Dispute Number: 3208
Date(s): December 14, 1953 to July 4, 1954
Participants: 710 China/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute describes three incidents between Communist Chinese
patrols and Japanese fishing boats. First, on December 14, 1953, Chinese patrols boats
fired on Japanese vessels southwest of the Korean peninsula and captured one trawler.
Japan armed its patrol boats the next day. Then, on March 15, 1954, a Chinese trawler
machine gunned a Japanese vessel, wounding a Japanese fisherman. The final incident
occurred on July 4 when Chinese gunboats seized four Japanese fishing vessels.
MID#2853
Dispute Number: 2853
Date(s): May 1958 to May 7, 1958
Participants: 710 China/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Fourteen Japanese fishing boats were attacked and seized in the East
China Sea by the Red Chinese Navy. Though the official Chinese statement claimed
their actions were a response to maritime border violations, the incidents most likely
stemmed from a trade disagreement.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 7, 1958.