FOREIGN MINISTER TOGO'S ADDRESS AT THE SEVENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE DIET, JANUARY 21, 1942
(Unofficial Translation)
It affords me great pleasure to address you at this time when the Imperial forces are achieving splendid results with American and British bases of aggression in East Asia crumbling one after another, and when the great task of developing East Asia is making rapid progress.
First of all, I take this occasion to wish the gallant officers and men of
the Imperial forces on the front further successes and good fortune in the field, and also to pay my sincere tribute to the spirits of those fallen in battle. I desire also to convey my respect and sympathy and best wishes to our fellow countrymen who are bearing untold hardships in the enemy countries or war zones.
Notwithstanding invidious propagandas, let loose by the enemy countries, the greater part of the world has come to understand the true circumstances which have compelled Japan to plunge into the war of greater East Asia which we—one hundred million strong, with an iron will—are now vigorously prosecuting to a successful conclusion.
Needless to say, the emancipation or the rise of East Asia is not a thing that finds favour with the present leaders of America and Britain. But we are firmly convinced that, whether they like it or not, it is our historic mission to emancipate and develop East Asia, and we are marching forward toward the realization of this great task. Justice is clearly on our side as has been demonstrated by the spectacular military achievements attained by our armed forces.
As was already explained at the previous session of the Diet, the war of greater East Asia aims at the overthrow of American-British world domination established through egoism, exploitation and aggrandizement. It is a war for the liberation of the entire East Asia and for the construction of a new order throughout the world.
Consequently, the Government of Manchoukuo and the National Government of China have been actively co-operating with Japan from the very beginning, fully understanding our position in connection with the war, while French Indo-China has also been extending co-operation to us in various fields. Immediately after the outbreak of the present war, Thailand too, appreciating, as it did, its real significance, courageously decided to join forces with Japan in order to eradicate American and British influences, the root cause of all evils in East Asia. On December 21, Thailand concluded a Treaty of Alliance with Japan. The Japanese Government pays respect to the leaders of the Thai Government for their far-sighted policy and I can assure them Japan's full sympathy and support in their constructive efforts. In fact the co-operation between the two countries is now being increasingly strengthened.
Alignment of Japan, Germany and Italy is being further cemented, as you are already aware. Close co-operation among the three allied Powers is steadily taking definite forms in military, diplomatic, economic and various other fields. However frantically America and Britain may endeavour to alienate Japan, Germany and Italy and their allies, there is absolutely no room for such machinations. The iron solidarity of the Axis Powers is not to be compared with that of the so-called 'Allies,' to whose camp America and Britain have recruited those exiled governments which exist only in name. Thus the co-operation of friendly nations is contributing materially to the prosecution of the war, especially to the execution of Japan's policy in the southern regions.
The relations between Japan and the Soviet Union have since witnessed no change. Their relations are still regulated by the Neutrality Pact. The rumours of various kinds emanating as a result of the Soviet Union's conversations with America and Britain, should not have any effect at all upon the present relations between Japan and the Soviet Union, which are regulated by the Neutrality Pact.
It is Japan's intention to maintain, as much as possible, cordial relations with all neutral Powers in South America and Europe. We are prepared to respect fully the position of South American countries, so long as they are not misled by American machinations and do not adopt a hostile or unfriendly attitude toward Japan. The Japanese Government, however, are paying close attention to the Rio de Janeiro conference which is now in session. It is nothing but the Anglo-American design to dominate the whole world that Japan regards with hostility. America and Britain have not hesitated to sacrifice third countries for their own interests. Such cases are too many to be enumerated, as is well known throughout the world. Consequently, it cannot be imagined that any country should fall yet another victim to Anglo-American intrigues.
Japan harbours no enmity toward the people of the Netherlands East Indies. It was far from our thought, therefore, that the Netherlands East Indies should have become, to its own misfortune, a tool of America and Britain. Now that, however, America, Britain, the Netherlands, and Chungking in collusion have turned the Netherlands East Indies into their military base and the Netherlands East Indies itself has embarked upon a course of flagrant hostility, we have been compelled to commence armed operations against that country.
There still exist certain elements in Chungking who would rely upon America and Britain, but I believe the day is not far when they too, reflecting on the common mission of the entire East Asia and recovering their true character, will come to co-operate in the construction of a new order in East Asia.
The object of the present war, namely, the establishment of a common prosperity sphere throughout greater East Asia, traces its origin to the spirit which inspired the founding of our Empire and is based on the common destiny and mission of the peoples of East Asia. It is, therefore, quite natural that Japan should itself control such areas as are absolutely indispensable to the defence of East Asia. It would be proper, also, in the light of the great principle underlying the present war that the regions, which America and Britain have hitherto possessed, should be accorded each an appropriate status in conformity with the tradition, culture, etc. of its people.
It is self-evident that the present war, aiming, as it does, at the construction of a greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere on the basis of such a cardinal conception, is essentially different from the so-called war of aggression. The fact that the leaders of America and Britain are trying to explain away this war in terms of aggression only shows that they have not
yet advanced a single step from an ideology and method which conform with what they have hitherto committed themselves. Again, Japan has never dreamed of a racial war as accused by enemy countries. Nor is there any necessity for Japan to undertake such warfare. Further, Japan is not prosecuting the war prompted by any narrow-minded and exclusive motive, nor does the idea of the co-prosperity sphere of East Asia possess any exclusive or exclusionist character. In consequence, it goes without saying that economic intercourse between that sphere and the countries outside of it will grow closer and closer with the progress of the construction of the said sphere.
In order to consummate the construction of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere, which constitutes the object of the present war, our nation which takes leadership among the East Asiatic peoples, is called upon to elaborate a clear conception of the real meaning of co-prosperity, by broadening our mind and vision, and to take in all domestic affairs a positive attitude befitting our supreme task as well as to meet fully the expectations of these peoples. Our responsibilities and obligations are thus being many times multiplied.
It is my belief, therefore, that our nation, united as one, should surmount every obstacle in our path and bring this glorious enterprise to a successful conclusion, so that we may be worthy of the privilege to live under the gracious reign of His Imperial Majesty and to witness an unprecedented national development unrolling before us.