Foreign Minister Togo's Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the China Affair, July 6, 1942
Japan's traditional foreign policy is to make this country a stabilizing force and to establish peace of East Asia, thereby intending to contribute to world peace. On this immutable policy Japan has been making all possible efforts to realize the prosperity of East Asia through co-operation of Japan and China. Since the outbreak of the Manchurian Incident, however, their relations turned definitely for the worse. Undesirable incidents occurred in succession through anti-Japanese propaganda. This had caused one to think
that the readjustment of Sino-Japanese relations was no easy affair.
"The Lukowkiao incident broke out under such an atmosphere. In spite of Japan's policy of localizing the dispute on the spot, the Chinese authorities then in power sent the Central Army northward to challenge the Japanese Army in North China. Japan was forced to respond to this and took up the gauntlet.
Early in August General Chiang Kai-shek sent his regular troops into Shanghai. Disregarding the international situation, they started aggression upon Japan. The situation thus assumed serious proportions with the result that the wholesale clash of Japan and China became unavoidable. However, Japan has remained true to its traditional policy of realizing co-operation and amity between Japan, Manchoukuo and China, and this spirit was manifested in the frequent statements issued by the Japanese Goverment [sic].
Utterly disregarding Japan's victory, the Chiang regime has kept up its warlike resistance to Japan. It was in January, 1938, that the Japanese Government declared that it would not deal with the Chiang regime and voiced the hope for establishment of a new Chinese administration sincere enough to develop New China, thereby readjusting Sino-Japanese relations.
After carefully studying the international situation, the Japanese Government made public at home and abroad a statement that the ultimate objective of Japan was to establish a new order for securing a permanent stabilization of East Asia and that Japan wished a new regime to co-operate with Japan be founded. The statement was issued no [sic] November 3 of the same year. This was followed by Japan's announcement of necessary terms connected with the readjustment of relations with China. This is what is known as the Konoye Three Principles of December 22, 1938. The terms embodied the neighbourly friendship, joint prevention against Communism and economic co-operation.
President Wang Ching-wei of the National Government now at Nanking was the person who deserted Chungking at the risk of his life in response to Japan's declaration. He was prompted by the idea that the only way of China's salvation was in co-operation with Japan. He founded the present National Government in Nanking on March 30, 1940. The Japanese Empire entered into basic treaty with that Government on November 30 of the same year. A joint declaration was made by Japan, Manchoukuo and China at that time, mutually recognizing their goverments [sic].
The long-pending issue of recognizing Manchoukuo by China was thus solved. As a result, the China Affair entered into a new stage. The Japanese and Chinese Government pledged to co-operate for the establishment of a new order in East Asia and to stand against the Chungking regime on military, economic and other affairs.
Mr. Wang visited Japan in June, 1941, and this made clearer, Nanking's determination to go hand in hand with Japan for a new East Asiatic order. The extension of a ¥300,000,000 loan to the Nanking Government also was decided then. Shortly after Mr. Wang's return home, Germany, Italy and other countries numbering about 10 in all extended their de jure
recognition to Nanking.
It was America and Britain which, not wishing co-operation between Japan and China, hampered Japan bringing the China Affair to a successful issue.
During the affair Japan took pains not to injure the legitimate rights and interests of their countries in China. Where such rights and interests were damaged in the process of the execution of hostilities, the Government adopted measures designed to right things. There were innumerable occasions where Japan put itself to inconvenience strategically for fear of damaging the rights and interests of third countries.
America and Britain deliberately ignored the fact that Japan was engaged in large scale military operations in China, and contended that they could not recognize the rights of Japan as a belligerent. Starting from this false assumption, they declined to recognize the steps taken by Japan in China in the process of the conduct of military operations.
Moreover, these countries abetted the Chiang regime to continue the resistance against Japan. Thus they consistently stood in the way of Japan which was anxious for a complete settlement of the China Affair. The policy of the Japanese Government was to enlighten these countries on conditions in China with a view to inducing them to halt their policy of hampering the solution of the affair.
While Japan was working for agreements which would settle the matters in dispute with America and Britain in China, the American Government was unreasonable enough to abrogate the Japanese-American Treaty of commerce. This was in 1939.
In July last year, when some units of the Imperial Army advanced into southern French Indo-China under an agreement concluded with the French Government, America induced Britain to join in freezing Japanese credits and funds.
In November last, Ambassador Saburo Kurusu was sent to America to work for an agreement with the American Government. The attitude adopted by America in the negotiations was exceedingly unreasonable and prompted this country to appeal to arms.
Thus the enemy hidden behind the China Affair unmasked themselves. This resulted in Japan's declaration of war on America and Britain. Looking over the circumstances leading up to the outbreak of the War of Greater East Asia through the China Affair, it is made clear that the real significance of the war is to establish a new order in East Asia based on Hakko Ichiu or universal concord, eliminating the United States, Britain and any one that depends upon these two countries from the area.
Since the start of the present war President Wang and men under him have well understood the real intention of Japan and are offering their full measure of co-operation toward the War of Greater East Asia emancipation. On the other hand, Chungking is putting up a big bluff as ever. The fact, however, is that it is suffering from terrible hardship, due to virtual interception of all supply routes from outside.
The Chungking fapi currency has experienced a sad drop. The American and British loan extension does not mean anything, now that the transportation of materials is practically blocked. The relations between the Kuomintang and Communists are seemingly calm on the surface, but their internal discord is mounting, threatening to develop into serious proportions at any moment.
In spite of such a situation, a part of the Chungking regime still refuses to recognize the realities of the world today, and continues to carry on its futile nightmare of anti-Japanism, relying on undependable 'friends.' Against these men, who not only refuse to understand the true significance of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, but who actually obstruet [sic] its realization, and who, in order to maintain their control and power, do not consider the suffering, of countless human being, Japan is determined to bring destruction and will not cease until she has done so.
At the same time, to the Nanking Government, which is co-operating with Japan in every way to bring the War of Greater East Asia to a successful conclusion, the Imperial Government will give aid and support in all fields. In order to do this, however, the Nanking Government must consolidate its rule, and actually bring about a situation where in the one hundred millions in Japan and the two hundred million inhabitants of this occupied zones in China will be united as one.
In this point lies importance of the Japanese Government's attitude toward the final settlement of the China Affair. With the destruction of the Chungking regime and the strengthening of the Nanking Government, not only the China Affair but the construction of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere as well will be carried through to a successful conclusion.