The policy of Japan toward the region of greater East Asia has been exemplified in our new China policy, which in fact constitutes the foundation of our East Asiatic policy.
The new China policy has been vigorously and fully executed since January last year. The so-called unequal treaties have been replaced by a Pact of Alliance based upon equality and reciprocity. The pact provides for the withdrawal of Japanese troops from China immediately upon the restoration of general peace. Furthermore, it has been recently made clear that our military operations in China are directed not against the Chungking régime but against the forces of American-British aggression.
Parallel with the new China policy, our East Asia policy has also been pushed forward steadily. The fundamental significance of this policy lies in the fact that with the liberation from the yoke of Anglo-Saxon domination extending over many years, the component nations of East Asia have, each and all, come to discover their true self. In other words, this is a policy which looks forward to the consummation of self-discovery on the part of East Asiatic nations.
Now that East Asia has been liberated from alien domination, the time has arrived to realize the cherished desire of the peoples of this region, this war being to us none other than the war of self-awakening. All the nations of East Asia have awakened, responding to the call of their destiny. China, by ridding herself of the fetters of Occidental domination, has attained her national aspirations of long years. So it is with Thailand, Burma and the Philippines, too, who have achieved independence, thanks to the heroic efforts of their patriotic leaders. These developments are exactly what Japan desires, constituting, as they do, the basis of our established policy. In November, last year, there met in Tokyo the Assembly of Greater East Asiatic Nations, at which Japan, Manchoukuo, China, Thailand, Burma and the Philippines were represented, and so was Free India. The historic joint declaration was adopted unanimously by this assembly.
The five principles set forth in the joint declaration may be reduced to two points—firstly, respect for the independence and sovereignty of the East Asiatic nations and, secondly, co-operation and harmony among those nations on the footing of equality and reciprocity. The foundation for the renascence of East Asia will be laid when the East Asiatic nations who have been liberated from alien domination, or Asia which will be redeemed from
foreign bondage, recover their traditions and cultural hertiages [sic], develop their creative faculties, and build up their respective positions of sovereignty and independence. And when these nations unite their efforts to ensure the stability and security of East Asia, present and future, assist one another in safeguarding their respective rights and interests, and work together for common prosperity and well-being, then will there be established the relationship of concord and co-operation which is essential for the inauguration of a new era throughout the region. The prerequisites are firstly, the attainment of sovereignty and independence through liberation and, secondly, the establishment of concord and co-operation on the basis of equality and reciprocity. It is, indeed, the noble mission imposed upon us to attain this goal.
The war has taught us two lessons. One is the realiance [sic] upon our own power, while the other is the display of the spirit of what we call "grand concord." Americans and the British have long tyrannized over other peoples by emasculating them with enticing promises and honeyed words. They have trampled on the independence of others by giving them a false promise of independence. They have blotted out the spiritual cultures of others by imposing materialistic way of life upon them. Today, we, the Asiatic nations, will not turst [sic] their words however sweet to the ear. We cannot afford to rely upon their vain promises. We have learned that we must achieve our aim by dint of our own efforts and that self-help, in accordance with heaven's will, is the only way to the realization of our objectives. East Asia can be saved and reconstructed only by the peoples of East Asia themselves.
The other lesson of the present war is the spirit of grand concord, which should serve as the guiding light not only in enhancing the destiny of East Asia alone, but also in conducting international relations in general. Therefore, it should be applied to the whole world with a view to contributing to the advancement of the peace and welfare of mankind, opening resources and promoting cultural intercourse, and it is this principle that makes the joint declaration truly a Magna Charta of enduring peace.
It is the aim of our enemies to hold Asia in permanent bondage and exploit it indefinitely by destroying Japan—the banner-bearer of Asia's self-awakening. In the past they have attempted to throttle Japan economically. Today they are trying to subjugate Japan—nay, East Asia itself—by force of arms. Japan has risen to defend herself and East Asia. For East Asia this is a war of life or death, which we are compelled to fight for our own existence and independence. This point, as is well known, is admitted even in Britain and America among their men of intelligence, and it is being widely discussed elsewhere. Nevertheless, they are bent upon achieving their ambition for world hegemony by armed force. What they want is to replace our joint declaration by their Cairo declaration. They want to dispose of the future world to their own taste. But singularly enough, they are divided among themselves as to their war aims, so that, while waging the present world war, they are preparing for another world war.
The current war is a war between righteousness and the forces of evil. Of course, there are ups and downs in the fortunes of war. But it is certain that the further the enemy advances, the nearer he is to his doom. That right will prevail in the end is an iron law of history. Recently there took place in Japan a Cabinet change, but our Government are firmly determined to pursue the foreign policy of the former Cabinet, viz., to prosecute, under close and cordial co-operation with our Allies vigorously and valiantly, this war waged to vindicate our cause of righteousness, executing at the same time our East Asiatic policy which is founded upon justice. It is our immutable aim to carry out the good neighbour policy which is a corollary to the policy of grand concord, secure the permanent stability of East Asia, and thus enhance the peace of the world.