At this, the initiation of the Movement for National Spiritual Mobilization, I wish to call upon all members of the Japanese nation for their whole-hearted cooperation. To this end I lay before you my heart and my convictions.
The North China incident has developed into the China affair, as all of you know, because of the insincerity of the Chinese Government in ignoring the policy and endeavours of our Government which were directed against the aggravation of hostilities. This attitude of ignoring the true facts has called for punitive measures of a comprehensive and positive nature. It is unnecessary to remind you that the ultimate purpose of the Japanese Government has been to bring together the three nations, Japan, Manchoukuo, and China, which have a common cultural heritage—the culture of the Orient—to collaborate in the work of ensuring stability in our part of the world, so that on that firm foundation we may strive autonomously for the establishment of world peace. In fact, our Government has long adhered diligently and consistently to this purpose. It is a truism to state that the real happiness of the peoples in the Orient will be realized only when peace is established in this part of the world. Hence it is our conviction that the task of nation building in China will never be successful unless it is performed on the basis of friendly cooperation between the two great neighbouring countries of the East, Japan and China. We are likewise convinced that such a nationalism as is founded upon anti-Japanism certainly drives the Chinese away from happiness. Yet in this connection it must be realized that the anti-Japanese education conducted by the Chinese Government has a background of years of manipulation; deep-rooted popular feelings have been fostered by it.
As matters now stand, it is but natural that patience on the part of Japanese should have the contrary effect of inviting Chinese contempt and reinforcing their attitude of resistance against us. In their unrest they have gone so far as to place, as we are now
witnessing, their entire nation at the mercy of the ominous Red menace. Their young people, brought up through anti-Japanese education, are in reality digging the ground from under their own feet; the innocent masses, on the other hand, who have been immune to that disastrous education are in tragic circumstances, finding no medium ground between two hostile forces.
"A Permanent Structure of Peace in the Orient"
Under these circumstances it is imperative not only for the security of our country but also for the cause of righteousness and humanity, and for the future of the Orient in particular, that we deal a decisive blow to the Government of China, so that the source of all anti-Japanese forces in China may be shattered. Through the lesson thus inculcated, the will to fight on the part of China must be brought to an end. Yet this is not all. We must simultaneously proceed with the task of setting up a permanent structure of peace in the Orient in collaboration with all the constructive forces in China which will be liberated by our present action. This is a task which is justified both in the sight of God and man. It is indeed a task which, if not performed today, will have to be undertaken by future generations under far greater difficulties. It is therefore our honour to be called upon to accomplish this historic work placed before the Japanese people. With joy should we respond to the call.
If the assumption is made that this significant historic task is one that can be undertaken without any difficulties, to my mind simply an irrational conception is being maintained. We must be prepared hereafter for manifold difficulties arising in all phases of our national life. What is immediately essential, therefore, is the determination to stand firm, unshaken, and to persevere in the face of national crises of whatever nature, until our ultimate purpose is achieved. Needless to say, such an essential cannot be effected by a Government or a fighting service alone.
"The Mission with which Our Generation is Charged"
All the constructive forces of the nation should be synthesized, accumulated, and mobilized for the highest national cause. Whether we bear arms, or follow the plough, or keep books, we are each an indispensable unit in the nation's struggle. Our presence or absence, work or rest mean so much gain or loss in national strength. Such should be our realization of the important parts we play in national mobilization. With this faith in ourselves and in the infinite possibilities
of this great movement, let us advance in performing the mission with which our generation is charged. A new epoch will certainly be marked in the development of Japan. My confidence in this regard is not groundless; it rests definitely on the following two considerations.
I refer first to the fact that Japan, although one of the oldest countries in the world, is full of vitality like a youth—a fact concerning which the opinions of all fair-minded observers of present-day Japan are united.
"Our Fathers Have Left Us a Legacy"
Our fathers have left us a legacy in terms of prosperous national existence as we find it today, by confronting and overcoming many serious difficulties. If Japan is to continue her development, certain friction will arise in her relations with the outside world. She cannot be exempted from this law of nature. The present affair is but a phase of international friction which is inevitably to be encountered in the course of Japan's growth and expansion. Hence, it is incumbent upon us to settle this matter in our own times, so that we may leave to future generations the realization of Sino-Japanese collaboration as our legacy to them.
The second consideration is based on our conviction that Japan is playing a leading role as a progressive nation in the modern world, a conviction that is justified not only from the subjective viewpoint of Japan herself, but from the broad viewpoint of world history. The world today, West as well as East, is in the midst of uncertainty and unrest. The underlying cause lies in the fact that international justice is not being realized in substantial terms. The present action of Japan might be construed in a totally different light through the superficial conceptions of those having ulterior motives. But this action is essentially an expression of our firm stand for international justice in its true sense, a justice which is in keeping with the main current of world history. What we stand for will thus appeal, in no small measure, to the minds of progressive peoples other than our own.
"Nothing Whatsoever to Fear"
When the entire nation rests on such a conviction, and becomes united in one body, with every individual offering himself for the highest national cause, there will be nothing whatsoever to fear in the future of our country. What is inherent and genuine in the national life of Japan is best manifested in time of emergency when
all members of the entire nation, without exception through different social strata and classes, offer themselves as one man to the State. This national character was actually witnessed at the 72nd session of the Imperial Diet, when the budget, gigantic in amount, was unanimously approved in a moment by both Houses. Such a fact is not only unrivalled in but also beyond the comprehension of any country other than Japan. In particular, to the Chinese Government which has made an anticipated internal division in Japan the grounds for forcing its anti-Japanese measures, it must have been an unexpected spiritual blow.
"I Cannot But Feel Grateful"
As for me, I cannot but feel grateful for the whole-hearted cooperation of the nation with regard to the present affair. When, however, I think of the fact that the realization of such a state of complete unity and cooperation is possible because of the historic structure of our national polity which is of the highest dignity, I am awakened once again to the grace of being permitted to live as a Japanese subject.
The conception that the State is not a promiscuous association for purposes of profit, but a community having a definite cultural mission, while the subject is not a profit-seeking materialistic entity but a spiritual entity whose purpose is to make certain contributions to humanity through the structure of a nation-State, is attracting serious attention today among thinking people who are not satisfied with the materialistic aspects of Western culture. We in Japan are certainly witnessing a rising tide of such a conception and a strong desire for its realization. This conception is inherently materialized in the national structure of Japan which orientates itself around the Throne occupied by a single dynasty from time immemorial. When, therefore, our consciousness of this definite fact about our State has been intensified, national spiritual mobilization will be achieved of its own accord.
"We Have Heard the Command"
As all of you know, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, upon the outbreak of the incident in North China, immediately returned to Tokyo from Hayama; and since then has been giving His time and energy, day and night, to the affairs of State with reference to the present crisis. Whenever I was granted an audience, I was filled with awe and deeply moved in seeing His Majesty working so industriously. We have heard the following command in the
Imperial Message granted on the occasion of the opening of the Imperial Diet on September 4th:
It is Our wish, in view of the present extraordinary situation, that Our subjects, united in their faithful service to the State and in their devotion to the Throne, will seek to achieve the purpose of the Empire.
In conformance with the Imperial Command, our compatriots in the services are performing their duty loyally and courageously at the front. In the same way, the people at large should do their share in consolidating life and activities behind the lines. It is thus that we may conform to the Imperial Command.
The world is now at a great turning point. In this fateful moment of human history, Japan is called upon to perform the significant mission of bringing together the moral principles of the East and the civilization of the West in perfect synthesis and harmony, thereby making an essential contribution to the creation of a new world. The advance of the Japanese nation, with her infinite possibilities, has already begun. I earnestly hope, therefore, that every one of us, both of the Government and of the people, will unite in making the purpose of the State his own and cooperate in undertaking this momentous and glorious task.