In the wake of the catastrophic Great Kantō earthquake, which devastated Tokyo and its surrounding areas, a climate of fear and suspicion gripped the nation. As rumors spread that Koreans were engaging in acts of sabotage, a wave of hysteria ensued. This led to the emergence of vigilante groups and mobs that targeted ethnic minorities, particularly Koreans and Chinese, accusing them of various crimes without any evidence. The violence escalated rapidly, with lynchings, beatings, and public executions taking place in multiple locations across the region. Reports indicate that these mobs killed thousands, with estimates varying widely, highlighting the chaos and the breakdown of law and order in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

The Kantō Massacre unfolded over several weeks, engendering a sense of impunity among Japanese citizens who participated in the violence. Police and government officials largely turned a blind eye to these acts, failing to intervene or provide protection for those targeted. The violence was fueled by nationalist sentiments, deep-seated xenophobia, and a social climate that scapegoated minorities during a time of national crisis. In addition to the loss of life, the massacre resulted in lasting trauma for the survivors and communities affected, and mass graves were ultimately established for the victims buried in the aftermath.

This brutal chapter not only illustrated the fragility of social order in times of crisis but also set a precedent for government-sanctioned discrimination against ethnic minorities in Japan. In subsequent years, the events of the Kantō Massacre would be absolved and partially concealed from public memory, leaving a scar in Japanese-Korean relations that would persist through the decades.