PREMIER TOHJO'S SPEECH IN THE SEVENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE DIET, JANUARY 21, 1942
(Unofficial Translation)
I am deeply moved with trepidation that, at the recent opening ceremony of the Imperial Diet, His Majesty the Emperor specially granted the gracious Rescript. In humble obedience to the Imperial Wishes, I intend, together with you, gentlemen, to devote all my power to the performance of my duties and attain the object of the war, thereby setting the mind of His Majesty at rest.
It is indeed a matter for congratulation that, since the beginning of the greater East Asia war, the Imperial forces have crushed all enemies, continuously achieving brilliant victories wherever they went, and have already destroyed in a short space of time most of the enemy's strategic points in greater East Asia.
Against the Chungking régime, too, we have increasingly strengthened pressure, while our defence in the north is secure and adamantine.
The power and prestige of our Empire is thus being enhanced both at home and abroad. This is solely attributable to the august virtue of His Majesty the Emperor, and for this we cannot but be profoundly impressed.
To the loyal and brave officers and men of the Imperial Army and Navy who are winning these signal victories over a wide area by fighting with courage and vigour, overcoming adverse elements, I wish to express my profound appreciation and tribute for their fortitude and accomplishments. I wish also to tender my sincere respect to the spirits of those who have died in defence of the country and extend my profound sympathy to their families as well as to wounded soldiers and officers.
The cardinal point in the greater East Asia war which our Empire is now prosecuting, is to secure strategic bases in greater East Asia and to bring the regions with important resources under Japan's control, thereby augmenting our fighting strength and, in close co-operation with Germany and Italy, to extend increasingly vigorous operations and to fight through until the United States and the British Empire are brought to their knees.
The United States and the British Empire are, however, the countries which boast of their wealth and power as the greatest in the world, having for many years consolidated the foundation for their domination of the world. Even though they have suffered overwhelming defeats in the opening stage of the war, it is not difficult to imagine that they will stubbornly resist us and try to turn the tide of the war. We must, therefore,
be prepared for various difficulties which may arise in the future and that the present war will become a protracted one.
Accordingly this war remains indeed to be fought hereafter.
In order to fulfil the purpose of the war, the whole nation must persevere in whatever difficulties and tribulations with the firm conviction of ultimate victory and thus serve the country. It is this very spirit of industry, thrift, and reverence for valour and of sacrifice for the State that is absolutely indispensable to overcome the present crisis and also to secure the future progress and prosperity of our Empire.
Japan is now vigorously proceeding with the great task of establishing the sphere of common prosperity of greater East Asia, while prosecuting military operations on a gigantic and far-flung scale, devoting the total strength of the nation.
The basic policy of establishing the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere has its origin in the great spirit which guided the foundation of our Empire, its aim being to enable each country and people in greater East Asia to have its proper place and demonstrate its real character, thereby securing an order of co-existence and co-prosperity based on ethical principles with Japan serving as its nucleus.
Its establishment extends over a vast area and is to be realized through mutual aid and co-operation with peoples of different races. The regions which will newly participate in this work of construction are those which, though they abound in various resources, have had the progress of their civilization and culture greatly impeded due to ruthless exploitation by the United States and Britain in the past century.
It is truly an unprecedentedly grand undertaking that our Empire should, by adding these regions, establish ever-lasting peace in greater East Asia based on a new conception, which will mark a new epoch in the annals of mankind, and proceed to construct a new world order along with our allies and friendly Powers in Europe.
The success of this great undertaking is a prerequisite for rendering our success in armed combat to ultimate triumph. It is the intention of the Government that in this construction the areas, which are absolutely essential for the defence of greater East Asia, be controlled and dealt with by Japan herself, while regarding other regions, appropriate measures be taken as the war situation develops in accordance with the tradition, culture, and other circumstances of each people.
The Imperial Army and Navy forces have already occupied Hongkong, secured the greater part of the Philippines, brought nearly all of the Malay peninsula under their control, and recently occupied strategic points in the Netherlands East Indies.
Of these regions, Hongkong and the Malay peninsula have for many years been British possessions serving as bases for disrupting the peace of East Asia. Therefore, Japan will not only thoroughly eradicate the sources of such evil but on the contrary intends to convert those places into bulwarks for the defence of greater East Asia.
As regards the Philippines, if the peoples of those islands will hereafter understand the real intentions of Japan and offer to co-operate with us as one of the partners for the establishment of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere, Japan will gladly enable them to enjoy the honour of independence.
As for Burma, what Japan contemplates is not different from that relating to the Philippines.
Regarding the Netherlands East Indies and Australia, if they continue as at present their attitude of resisting Japan, we will show no mercy in crushing them. But, if their peoples come to understand Japan's real intentions and express willingness to co-operate with us, we will not hesitate to extend them our help with full understanding of their welfare and progress.
It is really regrettable that the Chungking régime is still continuing its meaningless resistance against us. Japan will thoroughly crush that régime.
I am firmly convinced, however, that it is high time that all of the 400-million Chinese people saw the great change in the world situation in its true light and joined in the glorious task of constructing the sphere of common prosperity in greater East Asia by discarding once for all the time-old dependence upon the United States and Britain.
It is to be sincerely felicitated that the peoples of Manchoukuo, China under the Nanking Government and Thailand, in unity with Japan, are putting forth ceaseless efforts for the construction of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere and that French Indo-China also is co-operating for the purpose.
We are profoundly gratified that our allies, especially Germany and Italy, are steadily winning victories along with Japan for the establishment of a new world order. Japan intends to strengthen further her solidarity with these allied Powers in the military, diplomatic, economic, and various other spheres and go forth toward the attainment of the common purposes.
The constructive undertaking contemplated by Japan will, in the early stages of the war, be commenced under military administration, beginning with those which are essential for the prosecution of the war. Meanwhile, preparations will be made for future construction on a large scale; and as defence and maintenance of peace and order are firmly secured, the scope of civilian participation will be extended.
In view of the fact that our plan for the construction of greater East Asia is one that will determine the fortunes of our country for generations to come, it is necessary to perfect all preparations, leaving no stone unturned. The Government intend, therefore, to leave nothing desirable undone in the formulation and execution of the plan by widely mobilizing talents in Government and civilian circles and their whole-hearted co-operation.
Considering such circumstances as I have stated, the urgent task of our country now is to devote the total strength of the nation to win further victories in armed combat, increasing the fruits of victories to bring the enemies to their knees and, at the same time, to accelerate the strengthening of our power to prosecute the war, thereby ensuring our position of
winning ultimate victory. It is the firm belief of the Government that various measures should also be concentrated on this purpose.
Consequently, the Government are desirous of formulating, under a precise plan, necessary programmes in all branches of national administration for the prosecution of the war and to execute them speedily.
For the purpose of maintaining and augmenting the wartime production power, the Government intend to concentrate materials, labour, electric power, funds, etc., especially on superior and urgently necessary enterprises, thereby effecting the maximum utilization of existing equipment and, at the same time, to pay special attention to the expansion of production of important national defence industries.
They also intend to leave no room for improvement in perfecting the wartime food policy in order to secure the people's livelihood.
In view of the fact that the most important problem at present is not an insufficiency of resources but rather the question of perfecting communication and transportation facilities, the Government desire to improve the means of communication and transportation by exerting special efforts for the construction of vessels.
Since the opening of the war, the scope of activities of our people has notably expanded with their responsibilities having steadily grown in importance. The enhancement of the qualities of the people and the increase of population have accordingly become absolutely essential, not only for the prosecution of the war but for the completion of various constructive enterprises.
In order to fulfil that purpose, the Government intend to put forth utmost efforts for the renovation and re-invigoration of education in general and for the fundamental readjustment of the systems for the people's health and medical treatment.
The Government have submitted the budget and other bills in pursuance of what I have stated. I earnestly hope that you will speedily approve them.
In conclusion, I wish to express our deep appreciation for the goodwill manifested by our allies and friendly Powers to our country. I also wish to pay respect from the bottom of my heart to the sublime spirit of patriotism demonstrated by every one of our nation, who, in hearty co-operation with one another, are rendering their full services in their respective occupations.