| |
| 1937, Jan. 23 |
| |
The Hirota cabinet fell. Gen. Ugaki Kazushige (1868–1956) was prevented from forming a cabinet by army leaders. A cabinet was formed (Feb. 2) by Hayashi Senj r (1876–1943). | 1 |
| |
| April 30 |
| |
| The general election went in opposition to the Hayashi cabinet, which resigned (May 31). Prince Konoe Fumimaro (1891–1945) formed a “national union” cabinet with Hirota Kki as foreign minister (June 3). | 2 |
| |
| July 7 |
| |
| SINO-JAPANESE HOSTILITIES erupted following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident (See 1937, July 7). | 3 |
| The establishment of the cabinet advisory council (Oct.) and the imperial headquarters (Nov.) centralized the conduct of the war in the hands of the military and naval leaders, acting under direct authority of the emperor. Persons suspected of liberal or radical tendencies were arrested (371 on Dec. 14). | 4 |
| |
| Nov. 3 |
| |
| The Brussels Conference opened. | 5 |
| |
| Dec. 13 |
| |
| After Japanese troops took Nanjing in fierce fighting, they began committing acts of mass murder and rape: the Rape of Nanjing. Over 50,000 Chinese men and women were murdered, and many thousands more women were raped. | 6 |
| |
| |
