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Japan and Vietnam's Caodaists: A Wartime Relationship (1939–45)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2011

Tran My-Van
Tran My-Van
Affiliation:
University of South Australia
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Abstract

The study describes an asymmetric relationship between Vietnamese Caodaists, followers of the Cao Dai religion, and the Japanese during World War Two. The Caodaists maintained a pro-Japanese stance throughout the occupation, based on their judgement that they could in this way advance the nationalist cause and achieve independence from French rule. The position of the Caodaists immediately after the end of World War Two was adversely affected as a result of their wartime collaboration.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Southeast Asian Studies , Volume 27 , Special Issue 1: The Japanese Occupation in Southeast Asia , March 1996 , pp. 179 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © The National University of Singapore 1996

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References

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19 From Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh [Report], p. 10. The Report, which was written in 1946 for Pham Cong Tac upon his return from exile, dealt with the political and military affairs of the Cao Dai religion during the period of Japanese occupation. It was later published as Lich Su Dao Cao Dai Trong Thoi Ky Phuc Quoc 1940–1946 (Saigon: by the author, 1967)Google Scholar. Hereafter the work i s quoted as To Phuc Trinh. Page references are to a copy of the To Phuc Trinh in my possession.

20 Tran Quang Vinh, Hoi Ky, pp. 47–50. The message was received in the form of a poem during a seance on 28 Oct. 1942.

21 Vinhjoined the Cao Dai in 1927 at a seance presented by Pham Cong Tac. In 1931 in his capacity as representative of the Cao Dai Cambodian branch Vinh attended an exhibition held in Paris. During his nine month stay in France from 7 Mar. to 5 Dec. 1931 he developed contact with many French politicians, academics, journalists and authorities to build their recognition and sympathy for the Cao Dai religion. For 22 years he worked as an officer in the French administration. In Jul. 1942 he was forced to retire prematurely by the French authorities due to his activities. Consequently he was able to devote most of his time to the Cao Dai mission. See Tran Quang Vinh, Hoi Ky, part 2, p. 34.

22 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 11.

23 Ibid., p. 14.

24 Ibid., p. 18.

25 Cuong De, Cuoc Doi Cach Mang, p. 139.

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27 Tran Quang Vinh, Hoi Ky, pp. 67–70.

28 Ibid., p. 30.

29 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 27.

30 Ibid., p. 30.

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32 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, pp. 32–34.

33 Ibid., p. 34.

34 Nguyen Long Thanh Nam, Phat Giao Hoa Hao, p. 337.

35 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 32.

36 Masaya Shiraishi, “The Background to the formation of Tran Trong Kim Cabinet in April 1945”, pp. 121–32; Smith, “The Japanese in Indochina”, p. 288.

37 Dai, Bao, Con Rong Viet Nam Hoi Ky Chinh Tri 1913–1987 (Nguyen Phuoc Toe Xuat Ban, 1990), p. 165Google Scholar.

38 There has been debate whether Diem was in fact approached by the Japanese on behalf of Bao Dai to come forward and form a government.

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40 For more information, See Shiraishi, “The Background to the formation of Tran Trong Kim Cabinet in April 1945”, pp. 121–40; Kiyoko Kurusu Nitz, “The Japanese and Vietnamese Nationalism”, pp. 108–132.

41 Tsuchihashi, Memoir, pp 51–53. Quoted from Shiraishi, “The Background to the Formation of Tran Trong Kim Cabinet”, p. 135, and in Nitz, “The Japanese and Vietnamese Nationalism”, p. 29.

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44 Iran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 40. According to Nitz, Tsuchihashi agreed at the beginning of June 1945, to offer Cuong De the title of Grand Duke and to appoint him Chairman of the Privy Council. See “The Japanese and Vietnamese Nationalism”, p. 129.

45 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 43.

46 Ibid., p. 49.

47 See Brocheux, Pierre, “L'Occasion Favorable 1940–1945”, in L'Indochine Française 1940–1945, ed. Isoart, P. (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1982), pp. 131–71Google Scholar; Marr, Vietnam 1945: The Quest for Power, pp. 347–01.

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49 Devillers referred Matsushita as “chef d'espionage civil dans le Sud de L'Indochine”. See his Histoire du Vietnam, p. 89.

50 Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, pp. 65–66.

51 Ibid., p. 77.

52 Tran Quang Vinh, Hoi Ky, pp. 41–51. “Tran Quang Vinh, To Phuc Trinh, p. 98.