The Japanese Government have previously recognized that the National Government of the Republic of China should restore to themselves as early as possible the Shanghai International Settlement in accordance with the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of China Concerning the Rendition of Concessions and the Relinquishment of Extra-territorial Rights concluded on January 9 of this year.
To carry out the Agreement, the Japanese Government have completed the various preparations, and recently as a result of consultations between the Japanese Ambassador to China and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the National Government of the Republic of China a complete agreement of views was reached, resulting in the signature today of the Agreement concerning the Enforcement of the Restoration of the Shanghai International Settlement and the Terms of Understanding.
It is recalled that the Foreign Concessions in China, especially the Shanghai International Settlement, have had their origin in the Opium War of a century ago. Since that time, Britain and the United States have converted these Concessions into their strong bases for dominating China politically, economically and culturally, concentrating extensive rights and interests there and have tenaciously endeavoured to protect their existence.
The very existence of these International Concessions have been one of the greatest obstacles to the renaissance of China, as they have been a cancerous impediment to the construction of greater East Asia. The fact that these age-long evils are about to be eradicated by the concerted effort of Japan and China is indeed deeply significant, inasmuch as it further promotes the development of the new relations between Japan and China which are on the road toward the successful prosecution of the greater East Asia war and clarifies the true nature of the construction of greater East Asia.
The object of the pressnt [sic] war of greater East Asia is ultimately to defeat the insidious ambitions of the United States and Britain of grasping the hegemony of East Asia, to eliminate the root evils of disturbing the peace and well-being of this region and thus to emancipate the countries and peoples of greater East Asia from the long-standing shackles of those Powers, thereby securely establishing those conditions which would enable them to contribute according to their respective inherent qualities toward the welfare of mankind and a just and righteous peace of the world.
A year and a half have elapsed since the outbreak of the greater East Asia war, and meanwhile Japan has firmly established a basic strategic position of sure victory and invincibility. The Chinese National Government and the Thai Government are now waging the common war as one body with our country and so too is Manchoukuo co-operating with us by devoting
thereto her total strength and power.
Japan furthermore has publicly pledged the independence of Burma and the Philippines and is endeavouring to consummate its fulfilment in the spirit of fidelity. The peoples of greater East Asia are, in complete unison and iron solidarity, now going vigorously forward toward the attainment of the object of the war. The sinister designs of the United States and Britain to re-establish their old and egoistic order in East Asia must be regarded not only as inimical to the cause of righteousness and justice among mankind, but also as the utterly futile illusion of people who are now being driven toward certain defeat.
The Shanghai International Settlement after its restoration to China will make its start in a completely new form of East Asiatic character as a part of greater Shanghai, the central metropolis of China, both in name and reality. Considering the important rôle which that place is destined to play in the future, we may well expect thereby the further strengthening of the National Government and the more vigorous reconstruction of China. It is the firm belief of the Japanese Government that the National Government, with inflexible determination, will successfully perform the important responsibilities for the reconstruction and development of that metropolis.