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How did Japan create the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932?

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Map of eastern Asia highlighting Manchuria in northeastern China, which includes the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The highlighted area borders Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea. — Manchuria The historical region of Manchuria shown with the boundaries of the modern-day Chinese provinces in its place as well as the portion of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that is often considered part of Manchuria.

Japan created the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932 following the Mukden Incident, a staged event orchestrated by the Japanese Kwantung Army on September 18, 1931.12

Using a minor explosion along the South Manchurian Railway as a pretext, Japanese troops occupied the city of Mukden and subsequently invaded the rest of Manchuria. Despite the Japanese government initially issuing a non-expansion policy, the military acted without authorization, and the government eventually sanctioned the occupation due to rising public pressure.12

To provide a veneer of legitimacy to their control, the Japanese installed Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, as the state's leader—first as president in 1932 and later as emperor in 1934. In reality, the state was rigidly controlled by the Japanese military, with all key positions held by Japanese officials. This act of aggression was widely condemned by the international community, leading to Japan's eventual withdrawal from the League of Nations.3412