(Domei Translation)
Exactly a year has elapsed since the Three-Power Pact was concluded between Japan, Germany and Italy on September 27 last year. Following its conclusion Hungary joined it on November 20 last year, followed by Rumania on the 23rd of the same month, and Slovakia, on December 24.
On March 1, this year, Bulgaria participated in the Pact and on June 15, Croatia followed suit. In such a manner the Pact gained successively new participants and all the signatory Powers in the East and West have been exerting themselves to their utmost for the construction of the new world order. We, the people of Japan, must bear in mind that tomorrow's anniversary is the day to be heartily felicitated.
The real meaning of the spirit of the Three-Power Pact is clear from the Imperial Rescript granted on the day of its conclusion and from the message of Prime Minister Konoye. In the Imperial Rescript it is stated, "We fervently hope that the cessation of the disturbances and the restoration of peace will be realized as swiftly as possible," and in the Prime Minister's message also the same sentiment is expressed. As stated in the Prime Minister's message, it goes without saying that the maintenance of world peace as well as the stabilization of East Asia are attributable to the spirit of the founding of our Empire and constitute our immutable policy. The Three-Power Pact is nothing other than a concrete expression of this spirit which constitutes the basis of our foreign policy at present.
The situation prevailing at the time of its conclusion was such that more than a year had already passed since the outbreak of the European war with the hostilities steadily expanding in scope and warlike clouds appearing to spread over the whole world. Ever being solicitous of the maintenence of world peace, the Japanese Government, considering it to be of urgent necessity for the welfare of mankind to forestall the spread of the war, concluded the Pact. Expressed in other words, the Three-Power Pact is not one like military alliances of the past which were made for the purpose of aquiring advantages for the prosecution of war. The foundamental purpose of its conclusion lay in the prevention of world-wide conflagration and the establishment of world peace on a firm foundation. It was this spirit which largely motivated the conclusion of the Three-Power Pact.
The second point is the fact that by this Pact the leading position of Japan in the establishment of the new order in greater East Asia was definitely recognized. The very fact that Japan, with a view to bringing about the permanent stabilization of East Asia, has already waged more than four years of hostilities for the overthrow of the Chiang Kai-shek régime, which is the cat's paw for the defence of the countries clinging to the old order, can be considered as one of the great movements for the change in the world at present. It is indeed regretable that the real intentions of our country have not yet been fully understood throughout the world. Some think mistakenly that to persist to maintain the order means peace, and some, although they recognize the necessity of change, still cling to the status quo; and thus they are prone to oppose the construction of the new order in greater East Asia by Japan. Under such circumstances, it is quite natural that Japan should co-operate with Germany and Italy which share with us the same ideals and aspirations.
In the region of Europe, Germany and Italy have, with irresistible power, made signal progress toward the establishment of the new order since the conclusion of the Pact. It need not be elaborated here what a
strong encouragement it has been to Germany and Italy that Japan, as one of the signatory Powers, have maintained in the meantime a firm attitude in East Asia. In East Asia the first forward step was made for the construction of the new order with the three countries—Japan, Manchoukuo and China—serving as its pivot following the recognition in November last by Japan of the National Government of China under Wang Ching-wei. Not only that, our country mediated the border dispute between Thailand and French Indo-China in the early part of this year and successfully settled it, and in July concluded the Agreement for the Joint Defence of French Indo-China under which our forces made a peaceful entry into that country. Thus, the construction of the new order is also making steady progress in greater East Asia where our country is shouldering her responsibility in this part of the world.
As I have already said, a year has passed since the conclusion of the Three-Power Pact with new participants increasing, and in East Asia as well as Europe each signatory Power has steadily marched forward for the construction of the new order. There are undeniably many difficulties lying in the path of our country as is mentioned in the Imperial Rescript in which His Imperial Majesty graciously stated, "The task of enabling each nation to find its proper place and all individuals to live in peace and security is indeed one of great magnitude, unparalleled in history. The goal lies still far distant." As for us, it is my belief that we must be strongly determined to exhaust all peaceful means possible in accordance with the spirit of the Pact, and if there be any interference by a third Power, to dispel it resolutely, and to go forward with steady steps toward the ultimate realization of the new world order.
In welcoming the first anniversary of the Three-Power Pact, I congratulate upon the various accomplishments of the past year. Whatever changes there may be hereafter in international situation and whatever difficulties we may encounter, there will not be any change whatever in the fact that the spirit of the Three-Power Pact constitutes the key-note of our diplomacy and that it will not be affected in the least by the activities of third Powers to alienate the three countries from each other. This point I wish specially to emphasize in view of the present delicate international situation.