The chaotic situation in China provided an excellent opportunity for Japanese expansionism. Japan saw Manchuria as a limitless supply of raw materials, a market for its manufactured goods (now excluded from many Western countries by Depression era tariffs), and as a protective buffer state against the Soviet Union in Siberia. After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan had gained control of the South Manchurian Railway, establishing its presence in Manchuria. Japan invaded Manchuria after the Mukden Incident, staged by Japan in September 1931, and encountered no organized resistance from the KMT. The puppet state of Manchukuo was established in 1932, with the last Qing emperor of China, Puyi, installed as ruler. China appealed to the League of Nations for help. The League's investigation led to the publication of the Lytton Report, condemning Japan for its incursion into Manchuria, and inducing Japan to withdraw from the League of Nations. No country was willing to take action against Japan beyond this tepid censure.