Secret Societies in Japan and Preparation for the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

The Amur Society (often falsely translated as Black Dragon Society) was a resource for the Japanese military with regard to the preparation of the Russo-Japanese War, but the real impact, as stated in the later publications by members of the society, might be exaggerated. The present article will outline the influence of this right wing secret society related to the preparation of the Russo-Japanese War at the home front and abroad. It will evaluate the actions by the members of the society and try to answer the question, how important a small right wing society could have been for the course of Japan’s foreign policy