ON this occasion I wish to express to you, first of all, my heartfelt gratitude for your unsparing and unceasing labours in behalf of the country since the outbreak of the China Affair. The present Affair, as you are well aware, has now entered a new phase and a new policy of having no dealings with the Chiang regime has been in force for these several months, in place of the former policy of urging that regime to reflect upon its errors. This policy will remain; under no circumstances will Japan turn back until the Nationalist Government has been completely chastised—in other words, until it is put out of existence. At the same time she will, as she has been doing, take definite steps for concentrating her human as well as material resources in the task of fostering and developing new regimes organized in North and Central China on the basic principles of anti-Communism and Sino-Japanese collaboration.
Such is the situation we are now confronting, the seriousness of which is truly unprecedented in the history of our Empire. Prolongation of hostilities is a policy long advocated by General Chiang Kai-shek and employed now as a basis for propaganda to maintain the life and strength of the Nationalist Government which has been reduced to straits. Accordingly, Japan is prepared to spend any amount of time in destroying the Chiang regime, which is resorting to all means available for resisting Japan, and thereby to eradicate the root of evil in East Asia. This course of action adopted by our Empire, as I have stated, will never be changed until the end is gained. You are called upon, therefore, to make further endeavours for the successful execution of this established policy.
National Life Must be Organized
At the 73rd session of the Imperial Diet the will of the entire nation was reflected in the deliberations which resulted in the approval of a budget amounting to 8,000,000,000 yen as well as of 86 legislative bills, including those concerning National Mobilization and State Control of Electric Power, which embody essential governmental
measures.
To administer these laws and to carry out the budget, needless to say, utmost care must be taken. May I remind you in this connection of the importance of measures covering and consolidating the home front. These measures are of the greatest importance in the state of affairs in which we are still far from attaining our objective. The Government has therefore taken steps for meeting the exigencies of the hour, including establishment of the Institute for Wounded Soldiers under the jurisdiction of the Department of Welfare, which steps, we are convinced, will bring the results desired. Furthermore, to cope with changing situations and thus to ensure the achievement of our ultimate purpose, it is most urgent that the national life should be so organized as to be perfectly prepared for the mobilization of all its spiritual and material resources. The adjustment of supply and demand of commodities and the augmentation of productivity are essential measures for effecting completion of such a realignment; they must be carried out.
To exercise economy in the consumption of commodities and to plan for increase in the nation's savings are also imperative measures. However, they can be successfully executed only through the determined efforts of the entire nation. All members of the nation must be reminded once again that the desires of individuals must be controlled for the sake of harmony of the whole. The realization of such an ideal state of national life depends to a considerable extent upon whether the nation comprehends the full significance of the present emergency and whether, acting upon that comprehension, all its members are voluntarily cooperating in the pursuance of the national policy. When we talk of the living expression of the Japanese spirit in everyday life, it means, to my mind, the actual practice of this principle of controlling self for the sake of the whole, which is the only way of serving the country on the home front. Your attention to this most important point and your endeavours for promoting principles and practice along the line just mentioned are particularly requested.
Enlightenment is Needed
Since the outbreak of the present Affair, I have noticed many touching and inspiring instances of manifestations of the Japanese spirit on the China as well as the home front and have felt through them the breath of advancing Japan. They are certainly reassuring. Activities based upon this spirit alone can extirpate deep-rooted ideas and policies standing for anti-Japanism and collaboration with the Comintern. Founded upon the same spirit and conviction the history
of the Japanese Empire has run its glorious course. The present conflict with Nationalist China and whatever contributions to be made in the future to world civilization are none other than phases of the historical development and manifestation of the spiritual life of the Japanese people. I pray that the righteous motives of Japan and the true picture of advancing Japan may be made known to the rest of the world, even to the remotest corners of the earth. Every member of the nation, I am firmly convinced, can and must perform this task of enlightenment at all times and in every way possible to him.
Imperial Command is Given
The current year is marked by the 50th anniversaries of the promulgation of the Constitution and the promulgation of the Law concerning the system of local self-government. Several weeks ago we commemorated the two anniversaries in close succession. On both occasions most gracious Imperial Messages were granted to us and we were all profoundly moved. In particular, I was filled with awe to hear one and the same significant Imperial Command on the two occasions. On the former occasion His Majesty commanded us to "be just in the highest degree and have no self-interests" and on the latter occasion to "abandon self and act for the public good," thus repeatedly pointing out the way for us to serve our country. I earnestly hope that the entire nation, in obedience to this Imperial Command, will serve the country in truth and loyalty in the respective fields of activities.
As for the measures to grapple with the current situation, they will be explained to you in detail by the ministers in charge. Let me conclude now with the earnest request that you will execute these measures thoroughly and efficiently, in obedience to the Imperial Command and in accordance with ministerial instructions.