I feel it a great honour to exchange greetings personally with Your Excellency on this memorable day of the third anniversary of the conclusion of the Tripartite Pact.
The Axis alliance aims at the establishment of justice throughout the world, and we are marching forward toward the fulfilment of our great mission with an unfaltering spirit regardless of what happens on the way. No matter to what machinations and manœuvres Britain and America may resort in order to induce the Badoglio régime to fresh acts of betrayal and bad faith, the Axis Alliance remains unshaken. The Pact of Alliance shines forth as brightly as ever to illumine our road to victory.
The ardent friendship of the Führer has rendered possible the miraculous rescue of Premier Mussolini, who, upon this auspicious day has become the head of the newly established Fascist Republic of Italy. The Japanese Government, in conjunction with the German Government, has immediately taken the necessary steps to recognize the new Government. Thus will Italy, once again under the leadership of Premier Mussolini, be redeemed from destruction and dishonour entailing upon Badoglio's unconditional surrender. We are fully confident that the new Italy is assured of a glorious future.
The Axis countries, as States and peoples as well as members of the family of nations, have the inalienable right to existence equally with other States and peoples. It is because our very existence was actually endangered that we have at last taken up the sword. Indeed, this war is to us no other than a war of self-defence. This is precisely the reason why we have steeled our determination to fight it through until we gain the ultimate victory.
Our enemy, denying us even our proper right to existence, has resorted to all means, military, political and economic, in his attempt to lay a stranglehold upon us. Even today we may see clearly in his openly declared war aims an avowal of the intention to restore a world structure which permits him to rule and dominate other nations as he will, and to eliminate the Axis Powers which obstruct his purpose. During the past three years the Axis alliance has succeeded, often under severe ordeals, in carrying out its constructive mission. At present, in the East as in the West, we are meeting and repulsing violent counter-offensives launched by the enemy.
Our Allies in Europe headed by the German Reich are gallantly defending the great European fortress. They are manifesting a matchless fighting spirit of daring and bravery for which we, Japanese, desire to pay our profound respect. On the other hand, on the various fronts of greater East Asia, the enemy, whose counter-attacks have been expected, is being subjected to crushing blows entailing him huge losses in men and material.
While it is well for us to renew on this memorable day our firm determination to prosecute the common war vigorously, there is no room for doubt that the realization of justice throughout the world, which is the aim
of the Axis alliance, will be fully achieved by our glorious victory.
Japan desires to carry out great constructive work based on justice in the vast region of East Asia, designed to bring about peace and prosperity to all nations and peoples therein by dint of mutual co-operation. This policy and purpose of Japan is not only obviously just, but also embodies the natural and legitimate aspirations of the peoples of East Asia. In fact, we are now staking our very national fortune in a colossal war in order to achieve this great mission. The Anglo-Saxon Powers, who for long years past invaded Asia, reduced a major portion of it to a colonial or semi-colonial status. They have not scrupled to resort to all kinds of intrigues subjecting the Asiatic peoples to merciless exploitations. Divide et impera is their time-honoured favourite tactics. The defence of our right of existence is identical with the liberation of East Asia from the domination and exploitation of Britain and America.
We must, therefore, endeavour, first of all, to eliminate the disturbing influences of the Anglo-Saxon Powers. On the other hand, Britain and America, still intent upon regaining their old-time mastery of Asia, have deliberately provoked the present war. Although they continue to fight stubbornly, the valour and enterprise of our military and naval forces are more than equal to check their inordinate ambition.
Now at this time, when the nations of the greater East Asia are co-operating on the basis of equality and reciprocity toward the inauguration of a new era of common prosperity and well-being, China should be freed from the Anglo-Saxon yoke and she should be rebuilt and restored to Asia. Thailand should develop as a powerful sovereign independent State. Burma, the Philippines and India are all entitled to the honour of independence. Thus, these Asiatic peoples would be enabled each to enjoy its proper place. The present war is on the one hand a war for universal justice, and on the other a war for the renaissance of Asia. I cannot lay too much stress on the absolute necessity for all the Asiatic nations and peoples to fight the war to our common victory, together with our European Allies, so as to ensure our right of existence, which was so seriously jeopardized.
The spirit of Japan, who is fighting in East Asia, is the spirit of Germany and her Allies fighting in Europe. It is absolutely clear that through the final victory of the Axis Powers the great aim of our alliance to establish international justice will be completely attained.
Let me wish the health of His Excellency the Führer and your noble self, and the growing prosperity of the German people.