Mapping Modernity

4. North China incident

25 October 2023

Japan’s war of conquest in China 

This map illustrates the Japanese advance during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937), referred to euphemistically as the “North China Incident” in Japan. However, the map is focused more on conveying the (unfounded) concerns of potential Soviet intervention in the conflict and possible air attacks on Japanese islands (indicated by the presence of red planes), then on Japan’s military successes on the mainland.

Tokyo Nichinichi, (survey map of the North China incident (Hokushi Jihen), major battle in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War), Tokyo 1937. Coll. S/T W.3r.49, 54 x 75.5 cm.