FOREIGN MINISTER TANI'S ADDRESS TO THE EIGHTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE DIET, JANUARY 28, 1943
It is a great honour for me today to take this opportunity of stating my views on the various problems of wartime diplomacy.
With the commencement of our war against the United States of America and the British Empire, the world, except a few neutral countries, has been divided into two great opposing camps waging, each with its total power and strength, a great world war unprecedented in history, which has resulted in an epochal change in the international situation. Looking back upon the past year and surveying briefly the present world situation, I find, first of all, that in East Asia Japan's rise in arms has indeed afforded an opportunity to the East Asiatic peoples, who had been suffering for many years under Anglo-American oppression, to rouse themselves in unison to action. Manchoukuo, the Republic of China and Thailand, each from its own standpoint, has rendered us wholehearted co-operation in material and spiritual fields from the very beginning of the prosecution of the current war to a successful conclusion.
At the hands of the Japanese forces, who are brave, careful in planning, sympathetic and considerate, the various poples in the southern area, having been liberated for the first time from Anglo-American fetters, have come to the realization at long last that the Anglo-American policies are aimed at no other object than exploitation to satisfy their insatiable greed. At the same time, they have realized the historical inevitability of the construction of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere and are now willingly pledging their co-operation with Japan in the construction and defence of this sphere. These are actual facts despite the deceptive propaganda issued by America and Britain. Under the great ideal of hakko ichiu, greater East Asia is step by step making steady progress in realization, while Japan has secured for herself an invincible position of sure victory.
As regards the region of Europe, Japan's brilliant military accomplishments since the opening of hostilities have greatly enhanced the morale of the Axis Powers and have further strengthened their faith in the successful establishment of the new order in Europe. Among the new developments of the present international situation, we see that in North Africa, the German-Italian forces, having withdrawn from the Egyptian front and taken prompt and resolute measures to meet the situation, are now frustrating the Anglo-American offensive, evincing the importance they attach to the region of Tunisia.
Thus, the delusive offensive widely advertised in the typical manner of Anglo-American propaganda, which was undertaken in order to set the Axis Powers at variance, has utterly failed to produce the desired result. The offensive has served only to strengthen German-Italian co-operation and the general position of the whole Axis Powers in Europe, thereby giving rise to the discussion of the question of another second front in the enemy camp. By the invasion of the Anglo-American forces in northwestern Africa, the situation in France was thrown temporarily into confusion, but fortunately, normal conditions have now been restored through the sympathetic understanding of Germany and Italy toward that country and M. Laval's inflexible policy of friendliness toward Germany. It is expected that France will render still closer her co-operative relations with Germany and Italy and, with her manpower and material resources, will contribute to the construction of a new Europe.
Despite all sorts of fictitious propaganda disseminated by the enemy, Europe under the Axis Powers is now making steady progress toward stable construction. Now the European countries with Germany and Italy as their leaders, realizing more and more their common destiny and in unison with Japan, are marching forward with indomitable spirit to strengthen the position of certain victory and invincibility.
Let us now observe the situation in the enemy camp. Japan's series of great victories in the early stages of the war dealt America and Britain tremendous setbacks both materially and spiritually, and for a time both of these countries were thrown into consternation without any idea of how to cope with the situation. However, in the course of the subsequent progress of the war, they hastened to formulate a scheme to meet the situation and, relying chiefly on the abundant resources of the United States, prepared for a protracted war with a view to launching an offensive two or three years later. Claiming that they should concentrate their efforts on the overthrow of Germany first, they helped the Soviet Union, provided it with materials, and obliged it to face the mighty German pressure single-handed, while they endeavored to increase their own fighting power. However, as the Japanese forces continued to win more and more victories, bringing such remote places as the Aleutian Islands and the Indian Ocean under their control, the dissatisfaction of the people both in America and Britain was greatly intensified ; and, particularly in the United States, a demand for immediate counter-attacks became increasingly clamorous. Thus the authorities of
the two countries were driven into an extremely embarrassing position.
Under such circumstances the United States and Britain were forced to devise some scheme to create a new development. The United States, therefore, is now making desperate efforts to strengthen further its wartime structure at home, while by the construction of the Alaskan Highway, the strengthening of the Australian defence, and the construction of airplane bases in parts of China and in India, she is watching for an opportunity to launch a counter-offensive against Japan, taking up an encircling position at a remote distance. Moreover, the United States, in conjunction with Britain is making an attempt to obstruct the advance of Germany and Italy by dispatching reinforcements to the Iran and Iraq areas and by connecting Africa with southwestern Asia. Designating this year as the year of decisive battles, they are declaring to the world their intention to launch a great offensive, whether the battlefield be in the East or in the West. In view of the conditions which prevail in these countries where politics and propaganda control military operations, one cannot tell when and in what direction they will attempt their advance. But if they venture to do so, they will simply re-enact the tragedy of the past Mongol invasion of Japan and that of Dunkirk.
The position of neutral countries caught between these two great opposing camps is extremely difficult. Most of the Central and South American countries have already succumbed to the pressure of American policy of dominating the Western Hemisphere and have become its victims. Overpowered by the pressure of the United States, Chile recently took such a step as to rupture diplomatic relations with Japan, Germany and Italy, while in sharp contrast Argentina is resolutely maintaining her policy of neutrality, for which I wish to pay a tribute of high respect to that country. It is the desire of Japan to maintain friendship with her. Also the neutral nations of Europe, especially Turkey, Spain and Portugal, have resolutely been maintaining their independent positions despite the insidious schemes of our enemy. It is my confident expectation that the wise leaders of these countries, fully appreciating the existing general situation, will not allow their countries to pursue the wrong course.
While paying constant attention to meeting the above-mentioned changes in the world sitution, the Japanese Government are attaching special importance to the promotion of closer relations with the various countries in the region of greater East Asia on the one hand and to the strengthening of our co-operation with our European Allies on the other, thereby perfecting the co-operative structure by which to realize our common objective—the successful conclusion of the war against the Anglo-American nations and the construction of a new world order.
Firstly, the relations between Japan and Manchoukuo are based on the immutable basis of the principle of "one virtue and one mind." It is needless to say that the two countries have constantly been preserving an attitude of close co-operation.
Secondly, as regards China, the Nanking Government on January 9, declared war on the United States and the British Empire, and made clear
both at home and abroad their determination to participate and co-operate far more vigorously in the construction of the new order in greater East Asia in complete unity with Japan. As to the measures our Government have taken and will take hereafter in connection with Nanking's entry into the war, you gentlemen must already have familiarized yourselves with them through the joint declaraton of the Government of Japan and the Nanking Government concerning co-operation in the prosecution of war and the agreement between Japan and China concerning retrocession of concessions and relinquishment of extra-territorial rights, both of which were promulgated on the ninth instant and by the declaration of the Japanese Government also announced on the same day.
Co-operation between Japan and China is the grand path ordained by Nature. The reason why these two countries could not pursue that path hand-in-hand before is that they were obstructed for many years by the United States and Britain, who had deeply encroached upon China, thus constituting the root cause of the disturbance in East Asia. However, now that the conditions in greater East Asia have undergone a complete change as a consequence of Japan's victories, Anglo-American positions in East Asia have entirely been destroyed leaving no possibilities for their restoration in the future. These rights, such as the concessions and extra-territorial rights were acquired as the result of Opium War and, as such, they embody the monument of the Anglo-American exploitation of the East. This country has desired the abolition of these rights as soon as possible, in view of the past bitter experience. The Nanking Government having been resuscitated, Japan and China—with one mind and one body—are marching forward together to prosecute the war against their common enemies to its successful conclusion.
Thus, the independence and prosperity of the Republic of China are in complete conformity with the prosperity and welfare not only of Japan, but also of all greater East Asia. Therefore, it is both an historical inevitability and really a matter for sincere congratulation for all East Asia that Japan at this time should have discarded boldly and positively such an unnatural anachronistic and humiliating system, and that she should trust and maintain friendly intercourse with China in accordance with the real path of East Asia. However, alarmed at Japan's action, the United States and Britain on the eleventh of this month concluded with the Chungking régime treaties concerning the retrocession of international settlements and the reliquishment of extraterritorial rights. But such steps on the part of the United States and Britain are designed merely to deceive the world with their hollow promises to return their already lost rights and interests, which fact only shows their craft and insidiousness. It is a thousand pities that the Chungking régime should be overjoyed at this dishonoured cheque and behave as if it had forgotten China,s century-old grievances. In this connection, it is a source of great pleasure to me that our allies, Germany and Italy, with thorough understanding, have immediately taken the same attitude in conformity with Japan's new China policy, and that the Italian Government has already
taken the necessary steps to retrocede concessions to the Nanking Government. The development of new relations between Japan and China is indeed one manifestation of the great ideal of hakko ichiu, demonstrating clearly to all the world Japan's true intentions and sincerity with respect to the establishment of greater East Asia and the construction of the new world order. I firmly believe that it will ever more greatly enhance the confidence in Japan not only of the Chinese people, but also of the various peoples in greater East Asia.
A short time ago Japan and Thailand concluded a cultural agreement. This agreement provides, in addition to the previously existing close military, political and economic co-operation between the two countries, for broad co-operative relations in the cultural field, the scope of which is unprecedented in the relation between Japan and other countries. I am convinced that the operation of this agreement will render great contributions not only to the development of Japanese-Thai relations, but also to the cultural renaissance of greater East Asia in general.
French Indo-China already maintains close relations with Japan militarily, politically, and economically. Furthermore, it is a matter for congratulation that French Indo-China is going to co-operate still more closely with Japan in the realm of finance in accordance with the agreement which was recently arrived at between the two countries, asalready announced. I anticipate that the French Indo-China authorities, by taking a far-sighted view of the world situation and by considering further, and realizing rightly, the positions which itself occupies in the greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere, will co-operate more positively with Japan.
Japan's collaboration with Germany and Italy in the military, political, cultural and other fields is close and firm. Our enemies are leaving no stone unturned in trying to set the three countries at variance. Thus they expose their inability to recognize the fact that the three countries are bound together by the lofty ideal of establishing a world-wide peace based upon ethical principles, and that our unity is fundamentally different from that of such countries as the United States and Britain—countries whose alignment is based upon egoistic calculations and liable to constant change. To advance the co-operation between Japan, Germany and Italy still further, not only that these three countries may assist each other with all their respective total economic power for the duration of the present war, but also that they may be enabled to realize a new order which would ensure the co-existence and co-prosperity of every people within their respective economic spheres after the termination of the current war, negotiations have been going on for some time between the Governments of Japan and Germany, and between the Governments of Japan and Italy with the view to concluding agreements concerning economic co-operation between Japan and Germany and between Japan and Italy. As you already know by the announcement made at the time, the agreement between Japan and Germany and the agreement between Japan and Italy were signed on the twentieth of this month at the German General Headquarters and at Rome respectively.
These agreements realistically and concretely demonstrate in the economic field the spirit of the Tripartite Pact which was concluded on September 27, the fifteenth year of Showa. I firmly believe that the operation of these agreements will render economic co-operation between the three countries ever more closer and more harmonious, contributing further toward the strengthening of their fighting power, thus making yet more certain the victory of the Axis Powers.
In connection with the construction of the greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere, it has already been declared that Japan harbours no intention of excluding others from the sphere or of enforcing its seclusion. The conclusion of the agreement referred to above not only fully indicates this attitude of Japan, but also makes clear that the construction of the greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere by Japan and the establishment of the European co-prosperity sphere by Germany and Italy are real facts and not mere empty propaganda in the manner of Anglo-American contentions, and that our work of construction is steadily making concrete progress.
As regards the Soviet Union, there is no change in Japan's policy toward that country of respecting the Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact which was concluded in April, 1941. It is needless to say, however, that this basic policy of our Government is predicated on the Soviet Union's observance of the same neutrality pact.
Taking this opportunity, I should like to express my profound respect and sympathy for a large number of our compatriots who are experiencing hardships and privations in enemy countries or in the countries which have severed diplomatic relations with Japan, and earnestly pray for their good health. At the same time, I declare that our Government have strictly been watching the attitude of these countries toward our countrymen residing there, and taking all kinds of steps, such as lodging strong protests against unreasonable oppression in order to alleviate their hardships and privations.
The cause of the present war, as clearly shown in the Imperial Rescript, lies in the fact that Japan was forced by the oppression of the United States and Britain to take up arms against them in order to preserve the very existence of our Empire. Likewise, the reason why Germany and Italy rose in arms is that America and Britain under the pretext of protecting the peace of the world, oppressed Germany and Italy by taking advantage of the system of the Versailles structure.
It is well known that on account of that Anglo-American tyranny, Japan was obliged to withdraw from the League of Nations, and Germany, Italy and other countries followed suit. Now, the Anglo-American leaders are resorting to plausible propaganda, such as the Atlantic Charter, regarding their post-war peace plans. These declarations, in the final analysis, amount to nothing more than an attempt at Anglo-American domination of the world similar to the Versailles system. I believe, therefore, that if this plan of theirs were to be reazlized the rising nations, such as Japan, Germany and Italy would never have any opportunity to acquire each its proper place, and a lasting world peace would never be brought about. The United
States and Britain, professing the so-called four freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear—are declaring to the world that the present war is being fought to protect these freedoms because, they say, these freedoms have been threatened and trampled upon by Japan and the Axis Powers, and, therefore, it is a war for freedom, or "war of survival." Thus they are attempting to stir up the morale of their people.
But have Japan, Germany and Italy ever threatened the freedom of America and Britain or their existence ? Nothing could be further from the truth than this. Indeed, which are the nations which, though having extensive territorial possessions and abundant resources, first of all, excluded Oriental immigrants engaged in peaceful development ? Again, which are the nations that came across the Pacific and perpetrated acts of aggression in East Asia and at present are aiding the régime in Chngking, thereby aggravating the troubled state of this region ? The manipulations of Anglo-American leaders, who distorted the realities of the situation, deceived their peoples and ultimately led them into war, can never be condoned in the slightest way. If those who are responsible for the war are to be punished, as the Anglo-American leaders insist, it is they themselves who should be punished. In short, whatever entrancing words the leaders of the United States and Britain may array in offering their far-fetched explanations, it is no wonder that their war aims should fail to obtain the full approval of their peoples. What the American leaders are aiming at is a world domination entirely alien to the real happiness of the American people ; while what the British leaders are solely solicitous about is the maintenance of the antiquated British Empire.
As a result, outwardly they profess their common war aims, but inwardly as they are envisaging different ends, it is but natural that a sharp divergence of views have come to the surface between the two countries concerning their war aims and the conduct of hostilities. When the peoples of the two countries calmly reflect upon the just merits of the case, I have not the least doubt that they will realize with a shudder not only the crimes which are being committed by their leaders, but also the unjustifiableness of their cause and the meaninglessness of their sacrifice.
In contrast, the reason why Japan a year ago resolutely rose up in arms is that she aims at the elimination of oppression from the scheme designed for the selfish control of the world by America and Britain, in order to construct a new order based on ethical principles wherein the just will have a just place. When we speak of enabling each nation to find its proper place, I believe that we are referring to nothing other than this. Indeed, Japan's war aims are perfectly clear in the light of our just cause. It is very clear which side is right and which side wrong, and accordingly, which side will win the victory. Japan has a glorious history extending over more that twenty-six centuries of having never suffered a single defeat in war. This is due to the very fact that Japan's wars have always been wars for truth and justice. In scale and intensity the present war is indeed unprecedented in history. It is also extremely profound in its significance. With the
conviction that the cardinal point of wartime diplomacy is to grasp fully the true significance and purpose of the war and with perfect concord between politics and strategy prosecute it to a successful conclusion, I intend to see to it that no stone be left unturned in furtherance of our Empire's foreign policy.