32 - Imperial Japan pt. 3 - China: Shanghai, Nanking, Iris Chang, and Golden Lily

Today we explore Japan's imperial aggressions against China. We talk about Shanghai's unique position in this prewar period as a hotbed for gambling, espionage, drugs and prostitution. We discuss the July 7th / Marco Polo Bridge Incident and the Rape of Nanking. Then, there's an extended discussion of Iris Chang and her book, "The Rape of Nanking", and the cautionary tale that was the end of her life. Then, we discuss the Golden Lily organization and Yoshio Kodama's "China period" running narcotics, shakedowns, and purchasing for the Imperial air force.

cw: rape, suicide (not too explicit)

Song:

"The Sword March", a Chinese patriotic song from the Second Sino-Japanese war