Today, on this occasion of the opening ceremony of the Diet, I am filled with deep emotion for the efforts of the officials as well as the people at large to effect a speedy expansion of the munition industries, especially the epochal expansion of air power, and with this as the basis to perfect Japan's structure for sure victory.
Now is the moment for our 100,000,000 people, every single one of us, to take our battle positions and for all of us, with a reborn spirit, literally to concentrate our total strength on the single point of complete victory.
With this conviction, the Government have renewed their determination and have resolved to carry out all necessary measures vigorously and resolutely without being bound by the traditions and past usages of government offices.
In connection with the concrete measures for the strengthening of the internal national structure, they have been announced from time to time. The emphasis is placed upon the management of administrative affairs in full compliance with the demands of decisive warfare, the expansion of national mobilization and the strengthening of the internal defence structure. As to the basic measures on the method of execution, the Government will endeavour to heighten the national morale and, at the same time, will of course take all measures for the purpose of unifying national opinion. On the basis of the points I have made, the Government have promptly undertaken to carry out the plans to strengthen the internal structure.
As a plan to conform the management of administrative affairs with decisive warfare, the Government have taken up the readjustment of the administrative structure, starting with the establishment of the three Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, of Munition and of Transportation and
Communications, and are again effecting an extensive reduction of government personnel. Furthermore, the Government have decided, along with the renovation of government business, the policy for a thorough simplification of the budget.
With regard to the expansion of national mobilization, the Government have speedily pushed forward measures for the suspension of the system of general postponement of conscription of students and for the expansion and universalization of the scope of military and industrial conscription and, in this connection, have decided upon war emergency measures relative to education.
With respect to the strengthening of the internal defence, the Government have decided to establish anew the General Air Defence Headquarters in order to unify the management of internal defence administration and furthermore have adopted the policy to disperse people and establishments in the capital and important cities to other localities.
It is my belief that whether or not the complete strengthening of the internal national structure will be speedily and vigorously accomplished, now will decide the success or failure of the war of greater East Asia. From this viewpoint, the Government on their part intend to pursue their task, whether it be concerning the future management of matters already decided upon or whether it be concerning various other matters upon which new action must be taken, with an attitude of dogged persistence and decision so that results are certain to be achieved and thereby the demands of military operations be fully satisfied. In this unprecedentedly grave war situation, the Government earnestly desire the wholehearted co-operation of all our countrymen.
In this great war of justice in which our Empire was unavoidably compelled to rise to fight for its defence and existence and speedily to eradicate the root evils by overcoming all obstacles and thereby emancipate greater East Asia, there is not the slightest doubt but that we believe that the ultimate victory will be ours. In the light of the developments in our operations since the outbreak of war and when at this time we realistically take a long view of the conditions in greater East Asia and the general situation of offense and defence on our side and in the enemy camp, we are fortified still more in our conviction in the certainty of our victory. So long as our 100,000,000 people, making the present stage of the war the turning-point, take up their battle positions and, renewing all the more their determination, give their all for the sake of our August Sovereign and thereby concentrate their total might on the one point of crushing the United States and Britain, only victory awaits us in the future.
Looking at the situation in Europe, the shameless act of betrayal of Badoglio and his group in Italy is a matter of profound regret to us. Their conduct has only confused the Italian people in choosing their own path and have thrown them into the direct distress, but the position of sure victory of the Axis Powers has not in the least been affected.
Thanks to the dexterous and effective measures taken by Fuehrer Hitler, Duce Mussolini, gathering around him men of the same mind and establishing
a new government, is now in a position to continue to march forward to crush the United States and Britain by joining forces with Japan and Germany. Japan and Germany promptly recognized the new Government. My hearty felicitation goes to Duce Mussolini for his return to power and my sincere hope for the continuation of his vigorous efforts.
In meeting the new developments of the European war situation, Germany, having boldly carried out with extraordinary determination a very careful and large-scale internal general mobilization, is now poised for free and untrammelled military operations in all directions taking advantage of her strong and solid position in Europe. Japan expects and believes firmly that her ally, Germany, will, in due course, attain the desired results in the coming new operations, and that the day will soon arrive when she will, in full collaboration with Japan, bring the United States and Britain to their knees.
Turning to the situation in greater East Asia, we find that the grand task of emancipating from the bondage of the sworn enemies, the United States and Britain, the countries and peoples of this region who have for many years been agonized by the ambitions of these predatory powers, is making steady progress along unmistakable lines. Burma recently became independent, and now we have just witnessed the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines. Whatever Japan has promised out of international good faith is always surely and unfailingly being realized in a concrete form. This is indeed nothing other than the substantial manifestation of the great ideal of hakko ichiu underlying the foundation of our Empire and this certainly meets the innermost aspirations of our nation.
Today, Manchoukuo, with His Majesty the Emperor in person manifesting a gracious example, is making steady and signal progress, all her people firmly united and her friendly relations with our country ever-growing in cordiality, and her co-operation with Japan in both material and spiritual fields is very great indeed. We take this opportunity to express our thanks to Manchoukuo for her unflagging co-operation and, at the same time, our intention to extend increasing efforts to assist the continuation of her healthy development.
Regarding the Republic of China, you are aware that since the beginning of this year, Japan has, in pursuance of her established policy, been rapidly proceeding with concrete measures with reference to many questions, including the rendition of concessions. As regards the fundamental revision of the Basic Treaty between Japan and China, the work has progressed to such an extent that it will shortly be put into concrete form.
A short time ago, the President and concurrently the Chief of the Executive Yuan, Mr. Wang Ching-wei, came to Japan. I had a heart-to-heart talk with him, exchanging frank opinions concerning the methods of joint prosecution of war by Japan and China, and reached a complete agreement of opinions.
To the spirit of burning enthusiasm of President Wang and other officials and people of China, who, in perfect accord with the real intentions
of Japan, are ready to go vigorously forward for the attainment of the ideal of a "China for the Chinese" and for the emancipation of the billion people of greater East Asia, I wish, once again, to pay my hearty respect. When the situation is such as I have stated, I cannot help expressing my feeling of deep sympathy and compassion for the people under the Chungking regime who are still involved in the fratricidal struggle and cannot participate in the great undertaking of rejuvenating China and cannot share the glory of carrying out the grand task common to all the peoples of greater East Asia.
As regards Thailand, measures were completed a short time ago for the incorporation into the territory of Thailand four states in northern Malaya and two of the Shan states.
Japanese-Thai relations are increasing in cordiality day by day, and for the co-operation extended by Thailand to our country we are profoundly thankful. Japan is determined to continue to extend her utmost co-operative efforts for the progress and prosperity of Thailand.
On the first of August, Burma, I am happy to say, became an independent nation. Deprived of her national life by the sinister designs of Britain, Burma had for many years been held in the throes of agony under the growing despotic rule of the British. But when the war of greater East Asia broke out she resolutely rose and has since co-operated wholeheartedly with Japan. Now the age-long aspiration of the Burmese people has been fulfilled and their independence has become an accomplished fact. Together with you, gentlemen, I wish to take this opportunity to express my congratulations for the independence of Burma and my hope for her vigorous development and, at the same time, to give expression to our confident expectation that she will continue her valiant fight in co-operation with Japan on the first line of the defence of greater East Asia. As for Japan, we are strongly determined to extend our increasing co-operation and support for the progress and prosperity of Burma.
On the 14th of this month, we greeted the auspicious day of the independence of the Republic of the Philippines. Having ridden herself of the 400 years of alien rule and in particular of the deception and oppression of the United States, the Philippines has at last been emancipated. Under the vigorous leadership of President Laurel, the 18,000,000 people of the Philippines are about to embark upon the road for the construction of the "Philippines for the Filipinos" and, at the same time, for the successful prosecution of the war of greater East Asia and the establishment of greater East Asia based on justice. Japan earnestly hopes that this great undertaking of the Philippine nation will progress smoothly and is, at the same time, firmly resolved to continue her co-operative efforts for the successful accomplishment of that undertaking.
In the previous session, I made a declaration in this Chamber with reference to the political participation of the inhabitants of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the Celebes and others to the extent commensurate with the degree of their ability. Concrete measures taken in this regard have since made very smooth progress. These people are increasingly demonstrating
their effective co-operation with Japan for the successful prosecution of the present war. I wish once more to express to them our heartfelt appreciation and, at the same time, to declare that we will exert further efforts to promote their welfare.
Thus, as I have stated, the great ideal underlying the foundation of our Empire, that of enabling all nations each to have its proper place and all peoples to live in peace and security, is being realized step by step. East Asia, which for many long years was exposed to the remorseless aggression of the United States, Britain and the Netherlands and suffered from their ruthless exploitation, has now emerged as the greater East Asia for greater East Asia and is making a vigorous start as the vanguard in the construction of a new world based on ethical principles.
Turning to India, we find her 400,000,000 people still under Britain's ruthless heels, and, with the ambition of the United States recently added to that pressure, are continuing to experience indescribable miseries.
The cruel rule of Britain and the outrageous conduct of the Anglo-American forces have intensified further the friction and antagonism between them and the Indian people, creating profound social confusion accompanying an unprecedentedly great famine. The miserable condition which is becoming aggravated day by day and month by month is admitted even by Britain and the United States themselves.
With many Indian patriots thrown into prison by the British and millions of innocent people thrown into the agonies of starvation, the conditions n [sic] India at present, are, indeed, a tragic spectacle in the world and the object of common grievance of all humanity. Such a situation we can by no means leave to take its own course.
At this very juncture, Indians who hold their motherland close to their hearts have risen in unity under the leadership of the patriot, Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose, and on the 21st of this month the Provisional Government of India was established. Thereupon Japan proceeded to recognize that Government on the 23rd. It is truly a great pleaure [sic] for us to declare to the world through this Chamber that Japan is determined to support that Government consistently in the future and to put forth her utmost efforts for the independence and emancipation of India.
The complete independence and freedom of India and the lasting prosperity of her 400,000,000 people are what Japan sincerely desires. I have not the slightest doubt that in this purpose Japan may count not only upon the wholehearted co-operation of all the greater East Asian peoples, but also meet the earnest desire of all right-minded people throughout the world. It is my strong conviction that this rising tide of the movement for emancipation and the active co-operation of the peoples of greater East Asia will inevitably bring in the not distant future the glorious day of independence, freedom and prosperity to India.
I have expressed the views and convictions of the Government in meeting the serious situation of the war. I earnestly hope that you will fully understand the determination of the Government and continue to give
your wholehearted support. At the same time, I earnestly hope that you will deliberate on the budget and legislative bills which the Government have prsented [sic] and give them your speedy approval.