Before 1934, Manchukuo was known as the State of Manchuria and thereafter as the Empire of Great Manchuria. It was a puppet state of Japan from 1932 – 1945, but it received little diplomatic recognition and it’s existence was regarded as illegitimate.

The first postage stamps of Manchukuo were issued in 1932. Initially there were only two designs, the pagoda at Liaoyang and a portrait of Puyi, which were issued in many denominations. The pagoda was built during the Kin Dynasty in 1189. It is over 40 metres high and is of great significance to the people of the area. Pu-Yi was the last emperor of China from 1908 to 1912, also the puppet emperor of the state of Manchukuo during the 14 years of the state’s existence. After 1933 many other designs were added. In 1944, four stamps were issued in the name of Friendship with Japan with one set having Chinese characters, and the other Japanese characters.

There was no official Coat of Arms for Manchukuo but the Emperor’s personal standard, which had a central gold orchid, was used.