In the summer of 1918 onwards , the Japanese army supported White Russian groups ; the 5th infantry division and the Japanese-backed Special Manchurian Detachment of Grigory Semyonov took control over Transbaikalia . They started a White Transbaikalia government , but it did not last long . In the summer of 1918 onwards , the Japanese army lent its support to White Russian elements ; the 5th infantry division and the Japanese-backed Special Manchurian Detachment of Grigory Semyonov took control over Transbaikalia and founded a short-lived White Transbaikalia government .