Abstract: The May 4th Movement is a patriotic one with far-reaching historical significance in China. The conventional point of view fixed the category of the “students” to be those progressive ones at home, however, substantial historical data show that those studying in Japan played an inestimable role in the Movement. Boththose returned from Japan in earlier period and those studying in Japan at thattime contributed most greatly to the preparation, organization, mobilization and leadership of the Movement.

Key words: The May 4th Movement, national consciousness, students studying in Japan