The Enlightenment Programme
In this programme, the first step is to enlighten the nation on the essential nature of the China Affair, and on the basis of that knowledge and understanding to let every member of the nation be thoroughly informed of the actual conditions affecting the national life, internally as well as externally; of the ultimate objectives of Japan in that connection, and of the practical measures being taken by the Government to achieve them. Thus the nation should be awakened to the seriousness of the situation out of which a new phase in world culture and a new epoch in world history are to be developed. It also must be made aware of the fact that the destiny of the Empire hinges exclusively on the manner in which the present Affair is settled. Lastly, the people should be brought to the inflexible determination that the entire nation must stand up in one body, at all costs, for the accomplishment of this vital task, that the unshakable position of Japan may be established among the nations and that her traditional spirit, standing for universal peace and justice, may be manifested throughout the world.
Points To Be Emphasized
1. Significance of the Task of Constructing a New East Asia and the Mission of Japan
Construction of the New Order in East Asia is a vital step for the
establishment of stability in the length and breadth of that region and of permanent peace in the whole world. As set forth in the statement of the Japanese Government issued on November 3, 1938, the aims of this programme are to ensure a tripartite relationship of mutual aid and cooperation between Japan, Manchoukuo, and China in political, economic, cultural and other realms, with the view of securing international justice; the perfection of a joint defence against Communism; the creation of a new culture and the realization of close economic cohesion throughout East Asia. This indeed is a task unprecedented in importance and magnitude. It is based on the same lofty ideals upon which the Japanese Empire was founded. The nation, therefore, must be brought to realize that the performance of this task will be the consummation of the most glorious undertaking it ever has embarked upon.
2. Essential Nature of the China Affair
Causes of the present conflict are deep-rooted, having developed and grown through the years out of the anti-Japanese policies practised by the Nationalist Government—policies based on a system of ideas totally incompatible with our national polity. Herein lies the seriousness of the present conflict. Nothing short of the complete destruction of the Nationalist Government and the construction of the new East Asiatic Order will settle the conflict. The nation must be led to understand that it is Japan's duty to assume leadership, even in the tripartite relationship of mutual aid and cooperation, by which the great task of construction is to be achieved.
Stability in East Asia is most essential to world politics, and to realize that ideal constitutes at the same time the establishment of international justice. The fact must be stressed in this connection that to emancipate East Asia from its colonial status is the first step in the establishment of international justice in that part of the world.
(a) Completion of Joint Defence against Communism
(1) The Anti-Comintern Agreement should be strengthened increasingly hereafter.
(2) Joint defence against Communism must be established fully in East Asia. Accordingly, the Chinese Communists must be annihilated, as well as communistic elements in other parts of East Asia.
(b) Creation of a New Culture
The creation of a new culture is for the basic purpose of bringing about a new East Asiatic Renaissance by giving full scope to Japanese culture. In other words, Japanese culture must be refined increasingly on the one hand, and on the other new life originating in that culture of Japan must be infused into Chinese and other cultures with a view to their regeneration.
(c) Organization of the East Asiatic Economic Bloc
Construction of the New Order in East Asia is contingent upon the organization of the East Asiatic economic bloc, which can be realized only through the establishment of Japanese leadership. Consequently, it becomes imperative that the economic life of Japan be strengthened; on this basis alone, true leadership can be established. Mutual aid and cooperation, however, should be sought in this economic relationship.
3. Developments in International Relations and the Determination of Japan
In view of movements of the Powers assisting the Chiang Kaishek régime, irrevocable national determination must be taken to eliminate any interferences by the third Powers in the activities of Japan for the destruction of the Nationalist régime and the construction of the new East Asiatic Order.
The world is now threatened with a second great war of international scope. In coping with this world situation, Japan must go straight ahead with her endeavours for ensuring stability in the whole of East Asia, by establishing her leadership as the only Power in that part of the world and by acting independently from her own standpoint.
4. Execution of the Programme for Long-term Construction and Repletion of National Strength
In order to carry out the activities necessary for long-term construction, in accordance with the great national cause outlined in the foregoing, national strength must be augmented in all its phases. The strength of national defences, especially, must be repleted. This naturally involves certain difficulties with regard to national economy. The nation therefore must come to an intelligent understanding of the true nature of wartime finance, and strive for the completion of the national general mobilization structure and for the augmentation of productive power by solving the problems arising from the demand-and-supply and price relations.
Methods To Be Employed
1. In connection with the points enumerated above, the Government must lose no time in acquainting the people with new developments in the current emergency and governmental measures
for coping with them.
For this purpose, all the agencies for enlightenment and information, governmental as well as private, must be mobilized; in particular, it is urgent that the most reliable, effective network for the practical operation of the movement should be completed.
(a) To Conduct Thoroughly the Work of Enlightenment and Information
Full cooperation of governmental and private agencies of enlightenment and information must be intensified.
(b) To Complete the Network for Operation
It is urgent that the most reliable, effective organization for the operation of the movement be set up, embracing all the different classes and strata of the people.
(1) Where there are completed such organizations, their operation must be well guided.
(2) Endeavours must be made for the training of the leaders of these organizations throughout the country.
(3) In selecting the leaders, care must be taken to ensure the appointment of the proper persons.
2. Any undesirable conditions running counter to the emergency-consciousness of the nation must be eliminated, with a view to overcoming the slackening tendencies apt to arise from the character peculiar to the urban way of life, and thus to foster the spirit of tension. In carrying out this measure, however, caution must be exercised against giving rise to a state of depression and stagnation in the urban life; measures for promoting the spirit of vigour are necessary.
Cautions To Be Observed
In carrying out the above programme, caution must be observed with regard to the following points:
1. In mobilizing all the agencies for enlightenment and information, adjustment must be worked out so as to avoid any contradictions or duplications of their respective functions.
2. In carrying out the practical movements based on the consciousness of the current emergency, mere formal practices must be avoided. Not superficial gestures but substantial and concrete programmes, adapted to the state of affairs peculiar to different localities, must be carried out.
3. Results of this campaign of education should be examined from time to time. Methods employed hitherto also should be re-examined and perfected.