In February 1932, the Empire of Japan officially created the independent state of Manzhouguo, positioned in the northeast region of China known historically as Manchuria. This action stemmed from an extended military campaign by Japan, starting with the Mukden Incident in September 1931, which served as a pretext for invading Manchuria. The Japanese military swiftly took control of the territory, claiming they sought to liberate the region from Chinese rule and establish a stable government. To lend legitimacy to this new regime, the Japanese crowned Aisin Gioro Puyi, the last Emperor of China, as the Chief Executive of Manzhouguo. Under Japanese influence, Puyi’s governance faced inherent challenges, as the administration primarily served Japanese interests, reflected in its military presence and economic exploitation of resources. Despite the establishment of a governing structure, Manzhouguo functioned largely as a puppet state, manipulated by Japanese policymakers to facilitate their broader imperial ambitions. The state received international recognition mainly from Japan and its allies, furthering isolating it from the international community. The Japanese motivation behind this act revolved around expanding their empire and securing strategic resources during a time of economic instability in Japan.Manzhouguo operated with a semblance of sovereignty, promoting local governance initiatives, though the actual power remained firmly in Japanese hands. The newly formed state showcased Puyi in ceremonial roles while placing key decisions in the hands of Japanese military leaders. This arrangement underscored the contradictions of Manzhouguo’s identity as both a puppet and an independent state, leading to a sense of ambiguity in its international standing. The creation of Manzhouguo had long-lasting ramifications for Sino-Japanese relations and the geopolitical landscape of East Asia.