Having realized her age-long aspirations on this day, October 14, 1943, the Philippines has proclaimed her independence both at home and abroad. Japan has, therefore, immediately accorded recognition and has signed with
her a Pact of Alliance.
During 400 years of rule by alien countries, the desire of the Philippines for independence has been most intense. The independence, the promise for which the Philippines had at last obtained from the United States after many years of effort, was one which would have benefitted only the United States and would not have been real independence---a fact well-known to the Filipinos. However, following the outbreak of the war of greater East Asia, the influence of the United States was speedily expelled from the Philippines and in the short space of less than two years the day of real independence, for which the Filipinos have long aspired, has arrived. It is indeed a source of profound joy to Japan, intending as she does to eradicate the age-old root of evils in East Asia and establishing a new order founded upon ethical principles.
In greater East Asia, the Republic of China, Thailand and Burma are already marching vigorously forward in close co-operation with Japan for the successful prosecution of the common war, while Manchoukuo, one in virtue and mind with Japan, is devoting her total strength in her co-operation with us. At such an auspicious juncture has the Philippines joined our ranks. The countries and peoples of greater East Asia have thus, all of them, solidified their immutable unity, each manifesting her natural and special characteristics. This is a matter of deep gratification to Japan for the sake of the co-prosperity of greater East Asia and the permanent welfare of the world.
The Imperial Japanese Government wish once again to express their profound felicitations on the independence of the Philippines and, in confident expectation that the various countries of greater East Asia, co-operating with each other in a spirit of mutual help and mutual trust and mutually respecting their independence, will march forward vigorously toward glorious victory in the war and toward the happy consummation of the establishment of greater East Asia, thereby attaining the great ideal of co-prosperity of all nations, hereby make universally known their convictions.