Indo-China and Japan have from olden times been closely bound in cultural, historical and economic relations. Prior to the closing of Japan to foreign intercourse by the Tokugawa Shogunate, there were two Japanese towns each in Annam and Cambodia and very prosperous trade was carried on with Japan. However, these relations were interrupted when the Shogunate prohibited Japanese from going abroad. In recent times, Indo-China has reestablished the old relations with Japan in a new sense as a source of materials for the industries of Japan. The renewed relations have of late steadily become closer and more cordial with Indo-China constituting an important link in the sphere of common prosperity of greater East Asia which Japan is endeavouring to establish.
Fully appreciating such close relationship of Indo-China to Japan and its importance, France definitely recognized the preeminent position of Japan in French Indo-China through the exchange of documents between the then Foreign Minister, Yosuké Matsuoka, and her Ambassador in Japan, Arsène-Henry, in August of last year. Then, in May of this year, she concluded with Japan the economic agreement and signed the protocol concerning political understanding, striving thereby to solidify the good neighbourly and amicable relations and to promote the close political and economic relations between Japan and French Indo-China. France has thus consistently continued her friendly co-operation with Japan.
However, the internal and external conditions of French Indo-China have recently been greatly affected by the changes of situations in Europe and East Asia with increasing signs of even the security of French Indo-China being threatened if such developments were left alone. If by any chance the situation so develop that French Indo-China is thrown into a chaotic condition, it cannot, in self-defence, be overlooked by Japan, not to mention France herself. It has been keenly felt, therefore, by both Japan
and France that they were bound by very close relationship as well as common interest with regard to the position of French Indo-China.
From such point of view, the Japanese Government, since a short time ago, carried on negotiations through the Japanese Ambassador in France, Sotomatsu Kato, with the Government at Vichy. These negotiations progressed smoothly in an extremely friendly atmosphere and, on July 21, a complete agreement of views was reached between the Governments of Japan and France concerning their joint defence of French Indo-China. Japan and France have thus been ushered into more intimate relations with each other with French Indo-China serving as their connecting link. Needless to say, it will powerfully contribute toward the stabilization, co-existence and co-prosperity of greater East Asia.
It scarcely need reiteration that the Japanese Government intends strictly to observe various existing agreements between Japan and France concerning French Indo-China and to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of French Indo-China, and Japan will put forth increasing efforts for the promotion of the Japanese-French friendly relations, thereby realizing common prosperity of the two countries.