“We have breaking news from Japan now. As America slept a coup, still ongoing, was launched by the Japanese Department of War against Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi. It is currently believed that the Japanese Minister of War, Sadao Araki, is leading the rebellion, with aid from his subordinates, alongside several far-right nationalist groups. Emperor Hirohito has not yet released a statement. News has been slow, and it is not currently clear if anybody has died. We at ABC will be covering the story throughout the day to keep you informed. The Hoover administration is set to give a reaction once further information is known.”
-ABC Radio News Bulletin, May 15, 1932
“The 1932 Japanese coup would have enormous ramifications throughout East Asia for the next decade. Lead by several prominent nationalist figures within the country’s military and their associates, including War Minister Sadao Araki, Vice Minister of War Kuniaki Koiso, Sakurakai Leader and Lieutenant Colonel Kingoro Hashimoto, Captain Isamu Chō, Ketsumeidan leader and Buddhist monk Nisshō Inoue, and political philosopher Shūmei Ōkawa, the coup achieved its upmost goal as several young naval officers succeeded in slaying Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi, alongside his son Takeru Inukai.
“Over the following hours and days, many other politicians and businessmen were successfully targeted. These include Makino Nobuaki, Saitō Makoto, Kijūrō Shidehara. Several members of the Inukai administration went into hiding with their families, fearing for their lives. Of course, no mention of the coup is complete without mention of its most unlikely fatality. Film director and actor Charlie Chaplin had been on holiday in Japan, during which he visited the Prime Minister and his family. After he had returned from viewing a sumo match with Inukai’s son, Takeru, Chaplin was shot alongside him by the young navy officers who had broken in after they returned to the Prime Minister’s house. North American and European countries were stunned to see the death of one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, and it doubtlessly received Japanese politics more press coverage over the coming months. It was later clear through statements by Nisshō Inoue that the coup had deliberately targeted Chaplin, who they knew would be vacationing in Japan at the time, to send a message to the West.” [1]
-Excerpt from Gingko and Cherry Blossom: Japan in the 20th Century
“We are outraged at the purging of Japanese politicians and businessmen by these fanatics. And the death of Mr. Chaplin, no doubt, cuts personally for many Americans. We urge moderating factions in East Asia to end this cycle of violence that has ruined the stability of the region for the past few years.”
-Excerpt from a radio statement by American President Herbert Hoover
"Mr. Chaplin was a Briton through and through, and a spiritual ambassador for every virtue this country represents. His contributions to the arts will be forever remembered, and we throughout the world mourn his loss. And we too mourn the Japanese nationals who were slain as well by their manic brethren. May no further violence occur over this already useless bloodshed.”
-Excerpt from a radio statement by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
“’ Jazz Singer?’ Mr. Ebert looks at me. ‘No, it was the day they killed Chaplin that silent film died.’”
-Excerpt from Golden Celluloid: The History of Hollywood’s Classics
“As have probably heard by now, ladies and gentlemen, all eyes have been on Japan these past few days. And they shall to be locked on that odd industrial island nation for at least a few days more. One thing that goes through every diplomat to Japan’s mind right now is this question. Who will Hirohito approve of for the next Prime Minister? It is widely believed that these insurgents are placing intense pressure on the Emperor, who is of dubious mental and physical strength following being injured in a bombing earlier this year, to approve one of the murdering mavericks.
For what this all means for East Asia over the coming months and the millions of Japanese, Manchurians, and Koreans, we have no answers. For how the West shall recover after the shocking murder of one of our most beloved comedians in this event, we are unsure. But for all the updates set to come, you can trust ABC news for only high-quality facts. Tomorrow, the story of Japan will be continued…”
-ABC Radio News Bulletin, May 17, 1932
[1] Chaplin was indeed in Japan at the time of the Ketsumeidan backed assassination of Inukai Tsuyoshi that occurred in OTL. Planning shows that the film director had been considered a target in the coup to enrage the West.