Having previously received, together with Admiral Yonai, the Imperial command to organize a cabinet, I have come to assume the heavy responsibility of taking charge of the administration of State affairs. It is a matter over which I am profoundly moved. Under a truly extraordinary and grave situtation [sic], I am determined to exercise my utmost efforts in order to respond to the august will of His Imperial Majesty.
I am very glad to have this opportunity of expressing the views and convictions of the Government here before the eighty-fifth session of the Imperial Diet. His Imperial Majesty has specially granted a gracious Rescript at the opening ceremony today for which we are deeply inspired. It is my intention together with you gentlemen to devote myself in all fidelity, in humble obedience to the Imperial will, to perform the heavy responsibilities called by the decisive stage of the war and to attain speedily our war aims and thereby set at rest the august mind of His Majesty.
We are now in the midst of a grave situation upon whose outcome depends the rise or fall of our Empire. I believe that now is the time when we must safeguard the national polity of our Empire, unparalleled in the world, in accordance with the divine will of the hallowed spirits of the Imperial Ancestors, and enhance further the glorious and endless history of our Empire. It is my earnest desire, together with our one hundred million
countrymen, to hold fast to our faith in the certainty of our victory and, with great concord and unity, with the mighty concentration of our total military plans of our forces on the front who are poised for action resolutely to crush the United States and Britain soon, to co-ordinate thoroughly the administration of State affairs to that end which ensure the successful attainment of our war aims.
The war of greater East Asia, as clearly indicated in the Imperial Rescript declaring war, is a war for which we have been compelled to rise for the very existence and defence of our Empire and, at the same time, a war whose great object is to realize the renascence of greater East Asia. It is indeed a war in which the life or death of the Yamato race is at stake. Furthermore, it is a great war to decide the destiny of the one billion people of Asia. The strong characteristic qualities of our people will become more and more bold and determined the more the difficulties increase, as so frequently proved already in the course of the present war. In the present stage of the war when enemy attacks upon our homeland are likely to increase in frequency and scale and we might do well to consider the possibility of their landing on our home soil, we must indeed concentrate our total power and, with burning enthusiasm to safeguard our national polity by offering our all and with renewed determination to fight through this war, to exhaust every means in our human possession while praying for divine guidance to our august deities with purity of heart.
Looking afar at the front lines, we find our officers and men on the firing lines continuing day and night their valiant and strenuous fight with ever-increasing morale, their spirit undaunted before the enemy attacks based upon material quantity. We find them performing inspiring acts of heroism and everywhere crushing the enemy's sinister ambitions. Together with you gentlemen, I wish to tender my heartfelt thanks to the officers and men of our Imperial forces for their galantry [sic] in battle, to offer my respect to the spirits of our heroes who have unfortunately fallen in action and also to express my profound sympathy to our wounded and sick officers and men and to the bereaved families. I also wish to pay my deep respect to our one hundred million countrymen who in this grave war situataion [sic] are courageously exerting their utmost efforts for production and for the defence of our land. It is my firm belief that our countrymen will continue to do their part in response to the brave and loyal efforts of our officers and men at the front.
The war situation now is indeed critical with the fate of our Empire hanging in the balance. In order to solve this situation it is quite natural that the basis for the administration of State affairs should be centred upon the single point of successfully carrying out the aims of the war of greater East Asia, that all military and civil functions should be integrated and that the supreme command and State affairs be closely co-ordinated so that nothing will be left undone for the powerful direction of the war. This is the reason for the establishment, a short time ago, of the Supreme Council for the Direction of War. With regard to the administration of State affairs,
it has been decided that the fundamental policies be determined on the basis of the comprehensive co-ordination between the supreme command and State affairs. The various measures to be taken in conformance with the decision are to be so employed as to enable the full development of all measures and efforts to meet the needs of the decisive war.
The first of the decisive measures to meet the present war situation is the enhancement of our fighting spirit and the further strengthening of the national structure for sure victory. It is needless for me to say that the enhancement of the fighting spirit must be founded upon a revitalized conception of our national polity. The iron will and determination to safeguard our peerless national polity by overcoming all difficulties and hardships is in itself the source of our faith in certain victory. This strong conception of our national polity constitutes indeed the mightiest fighting power. It is impossible to expect the enhancement of the fighting will without the full expression of the will of the people. It is the intention of the Government in meeting the decisive stage of the war to have the people fully informed of the internal and external conditions to intensify their sense of joint responsibility in the prosecution of the war and to share with them the concern for the destiny of the country. At the same time, it is their intention also to place their utmost trust in the loyal spirit of the people and to listen to their fair and just opinions and views and thus cause our one hundred million people to go forward courageously to meet the national crisis, their spirit bright and their enthusiasm strong.
To safeguard and maintain the prosperity of the Imperial Throne, coeval with heaven and earth, by devoting our all is, for our one hundred million people, our everlasting faith. It is a faith which is part and parcel of our flesh and blood. The manifestation of this great spirit becomes by itsell [sic] the determined spirit of the people that lives through all the ages; externally it crushes the enemy's sinister schemes in thought warfare, while internally it serves as the basic strength of our self-sacrificing service to the State and becomes an immutable domestic structure. There are, of course, many measures to be taken to secure still further the national structure for sure victory. The essential thing is to enforce effective and appropriate measures to solve bottlenecks which are impeding production without being infiuenced [sic] by plans because of their mere novelty and without clinging to customary practices. Thus with the wholehearted co-operation of the people and by refreshing their minds, I intend to pay further attention to the reinvigoration of the people's sense of justice and righteousness.
At a time when their wholehearted co-operation is so essential, Chosen and Taiwan as an effective part of the Empire are, by demonstrating those qualities which are inherent in them, contributing toward the rise of the Empire as well as to the attainment of our war aims. The fact that substantiaf [sic] accomplishments have been made by the people of these areas as special volunteers in the Army and Navy and the fact that many of them are already participating in the war and devoting their loyal services to the Empire under the system of conscription now in force are matters of hearty congratulation
on the part of our Empire. At the same time, it is necessary, I believe, that full consideration be paid to the treatment of these people.
The second of the important measures is the expansion and perfection of our fighting power. The aim is to concentrate all the resources of the nation that can immediately be converted into fighting power toward the speedy augmentation of the strength necessary to fight through the decisive war, especially air power. The key to grasp the initiative in the war situation and to develop in our favour the war which now has become so intensified lies in this point. There is no time more important than now; when the people engaged in munition production must rise to action. The Government, placing the principal emphasis of the various measures on this point, are endeavouring to effect its speedy realization, by devoting all—men, materials and money—and believing it absolutely necessary to suspend those establishments and industrial activities which cannot be converted into effective fighting power and to turn them over to those industries which are essential under the present war situation, are steadily adopting various necessary measures. For the augmentation of our fighting power, especially our air power, it is of course necessary to increase the production of arms and munition and, at the same time, to increase and ensure the marine and land transportation facilities. The Government intend to leave no stone unturned in taking measures for their expansion and improvement by exerting their utmost efforts to eliminate bottlenecks.
The third of the important measures is the increase of food supplies and the stabilization of the people's livelihood. I need hardly explain the importance of guaranteeing the minimum degree of the people's livelihood while the war is being prosecuted. The fact that our people have, under considerably strained conditions of life, put forth their earnest efforts with patience and fortitude for the successful prosecution of the war is due solely to the sound national traits of our people—a source of profound inspiration.
The Government clearly recognize the necessity of brightening the people's thought, from which source spring enhanced fighting will and full demonstration of efficiency, by improving the situation as far as possible and stabilizing and enhancing the people's livelihood to the utmost. They, therefore, adopted emergency food measures for such large centres of consumption as Tokyo and Osaka immediately after the formation of the Cabinet and have specially enforced extraordinary measures such as the change in price policy in connection with the production, shipment and distribution of fresh foods. When we consider the quantity of fooddstuffs [sic] obtainable from our domestic production of food and the co-ordinated production between Japan and Manchoukuo, there is on the whole no need for anxiety over the management of our wartime livelihood. It is needless to mention the necessity of increased food production, but since the solution of the food problem is one of the important factors toward winning the war, the Government have formulated a plan and together with it have submitted a supplementary budget to the present session of the Diet.
The fourth of the important measures pertains to the question of labour
service and people's mobilization. In the face of the present grave situation, the existence of a single idle person or a single bystander, regardless of age or sex, cannot be tolerated. For our one hundred million people to take their respective battle stations for victory and to put forth their maximum effort to carry out the duties imposed upon them means, in other words, the complete exhaustion of all human efforts and the awaiting of the divine help. When industrialists, office workers, engineers, factory workers, farmers and fishermen—all as industrial warriors—do their utmost in service in their respective fields of occupation in the same determination of those who are called to the colours in accordance with the spirit of universal military service and demonstrate their maximum efficiency, then may they be regarded as having lived up to the honourable name of subjects of the Empire, side by side with the officers and men who are risking their lives on the fields of battle.
The Government are determined to examine and bring about necessary adjustments and improvements with regard to the labour conscription system as well as the distribution and supervision of labour and, at the same time, to take all possible measures to effectuate to the utmost the mobilization of the labour power of the nation.
The fifth of the important measures is the strengthening of our home defence. It is truly encouraging that when the enemy made air raids on the western part of our country several times in recent months, the officials and the people at large performed in unity their duties for defence and kept the losses to a minimum. No matter how frequently the enemy planes may come in the future, the officials and people must further reinforce their vigorous fighting spirit and devote their full efforts to the defence of the country. It is a matter of urgent necessity that the protection of important industrial establishments and facilities as well as the air defence of the principal cities be further strengthened. It is further necessary to devise effective means to ensure speedily the defence position that will fully meet actual situations. Besides the dispersion of the people from cities which is steadily being carried out, the Government have been sparing no efforts to enforce measures to secure the emergency livelihood of the urban population in time of enemy air raids as well as to strengthen the air defence organization and air defence training, all this under minutely considered plans. In addition to these measures, it is a matter of course that we must endeavour to the utmost of our efforts to secure the defence of our country. The Government, therefore, made clear a short time ago the necessity of arming the entire nation and having decided upon concrete measures for the strengthening of the structure of home defence, they are doing all that is possible for their enforcement.
One point on which I wish to say a word in connection with the sixth of the important measures is the mobilization and utilization of scientific technique. The war has now completely assumed the aspect of a scientific war. Therefore, with a view to unifying the operation of the scientific techniques of the Army and Navy and immediately converting into fighting power such scientific techniques as are truly representative of Japan to meet
promptly the requirements of the war situation as well as to realize smooth and speedy production in volume of weapons that are necessary for the decisive war, the Government have established special organizations and have besides decided to take measures to encourage the original invention of new weapons among the people at large and enable them to place such inventions at the disposal of these organizations. Through these measures our position has been so completed that the scientific technique of Japan as a whole will speedily be converted into fighting power and the people in general in the field of scientific technique will be enabled to co-operate more effectively in the prosecution of the war. The Government entertain great expectations of the results of these efforts.
Finally, in parallel with the internal measures as stated above, Japan's foreign policy will be vigorously pursued to ensure the successful prosecution of war by strengthening more than ever the collaboration with our ally, Germany, and through unity and co-operation with all the countries of East Asia and the mobilization of the total materials and spiritual resources of the region. At the same time, it is aimed at the maintenance of friendly relations with all neutral countries as hithertofore [sic].
Germany, in the face of a most difficult circumstance arising from recent developments, is continuing her gallant fight with firm faith in ultimate victory. We admire her courage and resourcefulness and wish her every success, believing that the day is not far distant when she will turn the tide of battle in her favour by surmounting the present difficulties and manifesting the real strength the nation still holds in reserve.
The nations and peoples of greater East Asia show no sigh [sic] of unrest, despite the war situation at the present moment. On the contrary, it is most gratifying to note that with the development of events they are growing more conscious of the necessity of fulfilling their mission regarding the renascence of East Asia and more determined than ever to fight out this war in solidarity with our Empire.
It is hardly necessary for me to go into the subject of the inseparable relations between Japan and Manchoukuo, joined as they are by one virtue and one mind. The unity between Japan and China is also being steadily enhanced under the Pact of Alliance, by which they are pledged to share life and death together. It is more than seven years that the Japanese forces have been conducting heroic campaigns on the China continent, north and south. The real intention of Japan is to drive out the aggressive influence of America and Britain and deliver China thereby from the century-old Anglo-American oppression, and to co-operate with China toward the construction of a greater East Asia based on justice and righteousness. As this point is being more widely realized among the Chinese people, genuine co-operation between the two nations is growing steadily and strongly.
In Thailand, a change of cabinet took place some time ago. The new cabinet headed by Mr. Khuang Abhaiwongse is staunchly adhering to a policy of prosecuting the common war in accordance with the Pact of Alliance. This fact, though a matter of course, bears eloquent testimony to the strong
solidarity of greater East Asia.
Recently Burma celebrated the first anniversary of her independence. It is most reassuring to see that nation, united firmly under the zealous leadership of the Head of the State, Dr. Ba Maw, making healthy progress by successfully overcoming numerous obstacles and exhibiting unflagging zeal and resolve to fight on to victory.
The Philippine Republic is also to greet soon her first independence anniversary. Under the personal direction of President Laurel the wartime problems of food and public peace and order are being effectively disposed of, while step by step the necessary measures for meeting the wartime needs are being perfected. The Republic is, indeed, a most trustworthy ally of our Empire.
Hearty tribute is due to Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose and his followers who are carrying on a life and death struggle for India's independence. It goes without saying that Japan will continue to render them powerful support and assistance and co-operate toward the realization of independence.
In the East Indies, Japan has since last year instituted measured [sic] for the participation of the native people in local administration in accordance with their earnest desire. Until now, in all districts, the native people, fully comprehending Japan's true intentions, have consistently and substantially contributed toward the prosecution of the war of greater East Asia. Furthermore, they have co-operated unreservedly with the military administration on the spot. In view of the above facts, I hereby declare that Japan will in the future grant independence to the people of the East Indies in order to ensure their permanent happiness and well-being.
Thus, the Japanese Government will not only keep to the lines of their policy toward greater East Asia as hitherto, but they will also endeavour to develop powerfully the spirit of the joint declaration in response to the trust the nations and peoples of the region repose in Japan.
As greater East Asia marches on, with Japan at the centre, thus united and confident of victory and mobilizing all its strength, material and spiritual, in order to prosecute their sacred war for the renascence of greater East Asia, I am certain that we shall succeed in crushing the inordinate American-British ambition and make known everlastingly the eternal world ideal of our Empire.
I have stated the views and convictions of the Government, resolved to push forward together with the one hundred million people of the country in the face of the most serious war situation. I earnestly hope that you gentlemen will join the Government in their resolve and carry on the war unremittingly as leaders of the nation and in the spirit of grand concord.
For the purpose of replenishing the military and naval war preparations in order to meet the needs of the present tense war situation, the Government are submitting an extraordinary war appropriation bill. This, together with the appropriation bill relating to food measures which I have spoken of, will, I hope, receive your prompt attention and approval.