THE JAPANESE PERIOD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CHINA EASTERN RAILWAY FROM 1935 TO 1945: BACKGROUND AND IMPACT ON THE FAR EASTERN REGION

Lebedev Vladislav Pavlovich

This article examines the period of operation of the China Eastern Railway (CER) under Japanese control from 1935 to 1945, a significant stage in the history of regional and international politics in East Asia. The relevance of the study is driven by the need for a deep understanding of the diplomatic and economic aspects of the transfer of CER management from the USSR to the puppet state of Manchukuo, established by Japan. Based on the analysis of interstate agreements, archival materials, and scholarly research, the authors reveal the political motives of the parties involved, the mechanism of the sale, and the negotiation process. Special attention is given to the integration of the CER into the Japanese military and economic system, which significantly influenced the militarization of the region and its further development. The study identifies key consequences of Japanese exploitation of the railway that contributed to the strengthening of Japanese influence in East Asia and the intensification of international tensions.

Keywords:USSR, Japanese Empire, Manchukuo, China Eastern Railway, Manchuria, Mantetsu, economic expansion