On being questioned by newspapermen concerning Japan's position in regard to the possible involvement of the Netherlands in the European war and its repercussions in the Netherlands East Indies, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachiro Arita, replied as follows:
With the South Seas regions, especially the Netherlands East Indies, Japan is economically bound by an intimate relationship of ministering to one another's need. Similarly other countries of East Asia maintain close economic relations with these regions. That is to say, Japan and all of these countries and regions together are contributing to the prosperity of East Asia through mutual aid and interdependence.
Should the hostilities in Europe be extended to the Netherlands and produce repercussions, as you say, in the Netherlands East Indies, it would not only interfere with the maintenance and furtherance of the above-mentioned relations of economic interdependence and of co-existence and common prosperity, but also give rise to an undesirable situation from the standpoint of the peace and stability of East Asia. In view of these considerations, the Japanese Government cannot but be deeply concerned over any development, accompanying the aggravation of the war in Europe, that may affect the status quo of the Netherlands East Indies.