ADDRESS OF THE PRIME MINISTER, GENERAL HIDÉKI TOHJO, BEFORE THE EIGHTIETH SESSION OF THE DIET, MAY 27, 1942
We are profoundly moved by the gracious Imperial Rescript granted at the opening ceremony today. Together with you gentlemen, I intend, in obedience to His August Will, to devote sincere efforts to a successful attainment of the purpose of the present war.
In a brief time, less than a half year, since the outbreak of the war of greater East Asia, the Japanese forces have crushed enemy forces wherever they went, with the important areas in greater East Asia having been occupied by our forces, and the naval forces of the United States and Britain have been virtually exterminated in the Pacific and Indian oceans. In the meantime, the Imperial Rescript has been granted as often as eight times in gracious appreciation of these victories. It is really unprecedented that we have been successively bestowed with this supreme honour and our national prestige has been greatly enhanced throughout the world. Furthermore, along with the continuous victories which are unparalleled in the world, new constructive undertakings are in progress in all areas on a grand scale and the object of the war of greater East Asia is thus being steadily accomplished.
In conjunction with military operations in the South Sea region, the activities of the Japanese forces in China are steadily diminishing the power of the Chungking forces. In the north, the security of our defence is as solid as the rock. This indeed is due to the August Virtue of His Imperial Majesty under which the Japanese forces are carrying out splendid tactics and energetic operations. I together with our entire nation wish to express our profound thanks and our sincere gratitude to all the officers and men, and, at the same time, to tender our profound homage to the spirits of many brave and loyal officers and men who have laid down their lives for the country.
It is a matter for our mutual congratulation that the peoples of greater East Asia who have hitherto suffered under the shackles of the United States and Britain have now been embraced in the great spirit of Hakko Ichiu, have reverted to their original and proper state and have made a step forward, sharing with us the task of establishing a new world order.
In perfect co-ordination with these signal accomplishments of our expeditionary forces, the various establishments for our home defence have been increasingly replenished and strengthened. At the same time the patriotic spirit of the one hundred million of our people has been enhanced
day by day, their indomitable will and determination to fight through the war of greater East Asia to a successful conclusion being concretely manifested in their simple and virile everyday life—a fact profoundly inspiring to all of us.
However, the present favourable situation both at home and abroad means but a prelude to an ultimate victory in the prosecution of the war. The fact that the decision of victory or defeat of our war against the United States and Britain lies in the outcome of total war to be waged hereafter requires no explanation. I firmly believe that, since the opening of the war when the Imperial Rescript declaring the war was granted, it has been and will remain the inflexible determination of our entire nation never to sheathe the sword of righteousness unless and until the influence of the Anglo-American Powers, with their dream of dominating the world, has been completely uprooted.
The cardinal principle, therefore, of guiding the war prosecution hereafter will be, on the one hand, to demonstrate further the superb co-ordinated operations of the Army and the Navy, which are now the wonder of the world, and unfailingly crush the enemy by seeking him out, thereby bringing more and more victories in addition to those already achieved in the opening stage of the war, and, on the other, undertake, in conjunction with such large-scale and vigorous military operations, grand constructive enterprises in order to realize a radical enhancement of our total national strength, thereby reinforcing further our country's position for sure victory. For this purpose, the Japanese Government, with an inflexible faith and determination, stand always at the forefront of the nation and are exerting their utmost efforts to perfect thoroughgoing preparations and at the same time boldly carrying out various plans in accordance with the internal and external situations, and thus intend to fulfil their heavy responsibilities of assisting the Throne and so meet the people's trust. It was in this spirit that the Government recently dared, in the midst of progress of the war, to request the Throne to order a general election to be held.
With the recent general election as a turning point, the surging tide of patriotic enthusiasm of the people developed into an all-engulfing trend directed toward the complete prosecution of the war as well as the firm establishment of a political structure for assisting the Imperial Rule. This trend pervaded all corners of the country. These spontaneous political desires and aspirations of the entire nation have ultimately found their concrete expression in the organization of the Yokusan Seiji-kai (the National Service Political Association). Thus an organization embodying a new and vigorous political influence has been consummated fulfilling many years aspirations of the whole nation—a source of profound congratulation for the sake of our Empire.
In response to such enthusiasm of the people, the Government decided that all kinds of people's movements be brought as far as possible under the guidance of the Taisei Yokusan-kai (the National Service Association), in order that they may attain healthy development through earnest and
spontaneous efforts of the people themselves and that the Taisei Yokusan-kai may, in conformity with its increased missions, renovate its functions and reinvigorate its spirit and thus go forward as a central organ of all national movements for the assistance of the Imperial Rule and fulfilment of duties of the people to the Throne.
In consideration of this, the Government are endeavouring to simplify and intensify the affairs of various administrative organs so that surplus personnel may be diverted toward the replenishment of those who are actively engaged in various fields all over the region of greater East Asia.
It is, indeed, a matter for our gratification that our country's internal structure has thus been perfected for the march of the entire one hundred million people whose morale has steadily been heightened, rendering it possible for the Government and people to go forward in perfect battle array to crush the United States and Britain.
Now, I wish to take this occasion to speak briefly about the economic strength of our Empire. Japan's economy has hitherto strongly tended to depend upon the United States and Britain as the result of which we have constantly been restrained and menaced by those Powers. Early realizing this situation, the Government decided after the outbreak of the China affair to devote their utmost efforts to remedy the defective points in our country's economy and to secure a self-sufficing position with regard to important defence materials. They have, therefore, endeavoured to carry on the hostilities in China on the one hand, and to replenish essential defence materials by formulating a four-year plan on the other. As the result of these efforts our economic strength had grown to such an extent by the time immediately preceding the present war that the country was able not only to counteract the Anglo-American pressure, but to enter ultimately into the war of greater East Asia. Such a development is certainly the result of the toil and moil of every one of our nation, for whose assiduous efforts I wish to take this opportunity to express the deep appreciation of the Government.
By virtue of the magnificent victories of the Imperial forces since the opening of war of greater East Asia, all the important resources for national defence in the regions of the south, such as oil, rubber, tin and others, have come into our hands, and the independent and self-sufficing position of our national economy has been further strengthened due, also, to our previous efforts. In other words, with the combined resources of Japan, Manchoukuo and China and those of the South Seas, the basis of self-supplying productive economy of our Empire has been perfectly consolidated and our wartime economy further strengthened so that we can completely replenish the supplies depleted by consumption accompanying the progress of the armed combat. At the same time, our plan of expanding fighting strength has been placed on an immutable foundation. The future of our Empire's economy is thus full of promise. Moreover, the situation has so developed as to cut off the supplies of essential national defence resources to the enemy countries and the blow being dealt to them thereby is very heavy, indeed.
In conformity with the new situation described above the Government,
with a view to augmenting speedily our power of prosecuting the war by giving full play to the comprehensive economic strength of all areas of greater East Asia, have made definite plans for material mobilization as well as productive expansion for the current year and, with these plans as the nucleus, they have formulated various schemes concerning transportation, labour services, exchange of goods and capital, etc., adopting meanwhile all necessary measures for the realization of these plans.
In view of the absolute importance to the prosecution of the total war of assuring the stability of our people's livelihood, especially food supplies, the Government expect to leave no stone unturned in utilizing the resources of the whole of greater East Asia, taking into consideration at the same time the economic requirements of the various peoples inhabiting this region. Beginning with this year, therefore, they have established a new mobilization plan of goods concerning the necessaries of life, for the realization of which they are receiving the whole-hearted co-operation of the fighting services. Due to the essential character of wartime economy the plan in part may entail for the time being some inconveniences and deficiencies which are really unavoidable. But I am very glad to be able to declare that, when it is considered from a broader point of view, there is no cause whatever for any apprehension regarding the people's livelihood in the future however long the war may last.
Now, I wish to say a few words concerning our foreign relations. It is greatly encouraging that Japan, Manchoukuo, China and Thailand, sharing the same view of the purpose of the present war, are growing steadily more cordial in their mutual relations. On the tenth anniversary of the founding of Manchoukuo, a short time ago, the Special Ambassador of Gratitude, His Excellency Chang Ching-hui, paid a visit to our country in obedience to the profound desires of the Emperor of Manchoukuo and having presented an Imperial Message to the Throne, conveyed to our Government and people the expression of sincere gratitude of Manchoukuo toward our country. His Imperial Majesty was so gracious as to send His Imperial Highness Prince Nobuhito Takamatsu to Manchoukuo to felicitate the tenth anniversary of that country's founding. Furthermore, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China, Mr. Wang Ching-wei, in his capacity as the Chief Executive of that country, visited Manchoukuo contributing powerfully toward a closer friendship between Manchoukuo and China, and, in the meantime, he made a personal observation on the spot of the reality of the phenomenal progress which Manchoukuo has attained in ten years following its establishment. It has been decided that Mr. Chu Min-i will visit our shores as the Special Ambassador to Japan representing his Government. Meanwhile Thailand's Special Envoy for the Felicitation of the Japanese-Thai Alliance Treaty, Lieutenant-General Phahol Pholphaynha Sena [illegible], came to our country and presented to His Imperial Majesty a message from his Sovereign, after which he fully exchanged cordial amenities with various official and civilian circles of our country. The foregoing events are an eloquent expression of the ardent spirit of comradeship among Japan, Manchoukuo,
China and Thailand, all of whom want to strengthen further their mutual co-operation and assistance in the political, financial, economic and military fields and to serve as propelling force for the establishment of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere. Together with all of our people the Government wish to congratulate heartily on the situation of greater East Asia whose peoples are so firmly united.
I wish to avail myself of this opportunity of expressing the profound respect of the Japanese Government to our Allies, Germany and Italy, and other friendly Powers which are achieving great victories in unity continuing their indefatigable efforts and surmounting many difficulties in order to attain our common object of the war. Japan intends to continue her victorious campaigns, and, in conjunction with the magnificent fight of Germany and Italy against the United States and Britain, she expects to augment the comprehensive victories of these countries by putting forth her utmost efforts. In particular, she intends to carry on as a matter of course a close co-operation in the strategical sphere with her allies and thereby establish a new world order. The fact that the United States and Britain, irritated by their successive defeats and their gloomy future, are loudly clamouring that the present war is a racial war, is nothing but a malicious intrigue to which they have always resorted in the past to deceive other peoples. It is a well-known fact throughout the world that the powerful unity of our Axis Powers, co-operating on the basis of justice, will never be shaken in the least by such mischievous scheme of the Anglo-American Powers.
The traditional crafty policy of the United States and Britain of securing their own expansion and comfortable life at the sacrifice of other peoples has now been universally exposed. It is greatly encouraging that in Burma, which has been cleansed by the gallant advance of the Imperial forces, the entire Burmese people, under the peaceful guidance of our forces, are accelerating the trend toward glorious independence. With all the advance bases of the British Empire for the defence of India having come into the possession of the Japanese forces, the golden opportunity is at hand for the Indian people to rise and attain their independence for which they have long aspired.
The fact that the British-Indian negotiations, with the British Lord Privy Seal, Sir Stafford Cripps, acting as the central figure, ended at last in rupture without accomplishing anything whatsoever, demonstrates that India has already become spiritually independent from Britain. Thus, the spiritual basis of British possession of India may be said to have disappeared already, and the first historic step toward Indian independence has just been made.
There still remains in India a framework of British possession with various military establishments, and the military forces are being steadily increased. As long as there remain Anglo-American military forces in India Japan is determined inflexibly to crush them throughly [sic]. To our regret it is, indeed, unavoidable that in the progress of such campaign some misfortune may befall innocent Indians. What I expect at this juncture, however, is that the Indian people will rise with an intrepid spirit, expel the Anglo-
American forces as well as their influence completely from India and thereby realize the independence of their Fatherland.
With the subjection of the enemy forces in Burma, the Chungking régime has finally become isolated: it is now plodding its way down to its inevitable fall. Due to the efforts of the Imperial forces in China, there has been an increasing number of Chungking officers and men who surrender and pledge allegiance to the National Government at Nanking, while the fighting spirit of the Chunking [sic] armies is fast waning day by day. Such is the pitiable fate of those who, knowing that they are in the wrong, refuse to make amends: Japan intends to deal the final crushing blow to the resistance of the Chungking régime.
Now that the southwestern Pacific has completely been brought under our control through the concerted operations of the invincible Japanese Army and Navy, Australia has become the so-called orphan of the Pacific. As the result of the Battle of the Coral Sea which recently took place in the vicinity of Australia, the naval forces in defence of that country have disappeared with nothing standing now to defend her before the onslaught of the Japanese forces. I wish, therefore, to remind the leaders of Australia at this juncture of my sincere desire that they will ponder what I had previously stated in this House, perceiving the international situation and considering Australia's geographical environments, and then courageously and speedily decide upon her most important step.
At this moment India is in commotion, Chungking on the verge of collapse, and Australia isolated!
Turning to Hongkong, Shohnan Island (Singapore), the Philippines and other areas, we find them in the process of becoming bases for the sphere of new construction as peace and order are being restored, and they are making great strides toward rehabilitation. Our control over the Pacific and Indian oceans is being extended day after day.
In contrast to this, Britain has lost her important overseas possessions together with the means of acquiring resources, while her internal system and structures have not yet been completed: she is now face to face with a very precarious situation. Suffering defeat after defeat, the United States, hiding the fatal losses from the public, is frantically resorting to false propaganda in order to allay the criticism arising within her borders to prevent estrangement of neutral countries. I cannot but pity the peoples of the United States and Britain who are fighting under such leaders as those who have given a position of trust to a commander who fled, deserting the helpless officers and men, or who are trying to cover up their defeat by loudly exaggerating the guerilla warfare on the sea, which are both futile and insignificant.
With a firm faith in the ultimate victory, Japan is now boldly pushing on her operations on a scale unparalleled in world history in its extent and precision. The Government expect, in perfect unison with the whole people, to replenish further the total strength of the nation to be ever more vigilant in victory, further enhance the traditional spirit of sacrifice and service to the
State, and thereby attain speedily the object of the war and set the mind of His Imperial Majesty at rest.
The bills presented at this session have been limited to those which are urgently required in view of the situation such, for instance, as one concerning the assurance of the enforcement of the shipbuilding plan. I request your deliberation on them and your speedy approval.
In conclusion, I wish once again to tender to our Allies and friendly Powers the expression of deep gratitude of the Japanese Government for their co-operation, and, at the same time, to pay profound respect to all of our nation for their self-sacrificing patriotic spirit and indefatigable efforts in serving the State.