General Tomoyuli Yamashita was an experienced officer. As a young officer he had fought in China against the Chinese and in the 1920s and 30s against a resurgent Russia. He had overseen the defense of Hainan Island and had commanded the Northen District in Japan. His selection was made by the Imperial Government as someone who would over come any obstacle to insure that Han forces did not trigger a war with the Republic of China. He removed any Imperial officer who he felt might sympathize with the Hands and disobey orders from the Emperor. His authority included all of the Han Protectorate,Manchuria, Hanian Island but not Formosa.