It affords me great pleasure to have this opportunity of meeting you today and laying before you what is in my mind.
This year is the 2600th anniversary of the founding of the Empire. On the occasion of Empire Day, His Majesty the Emperor was pleased to grant us a gracious Rescript clearly setting forth the way which Japanese subjects ought to pursue in order to assist the Throne in the administration of State affairs; we are profoundly moved and filled with a feeling of awe. The entire nation is called upon accordingly to serve the State in single-hearted devotion to the Throne and in obedience to the Imperial Command by clarifying still further the fundamental concept of national polity and by looking back into our glorious history, thus guarding and maintaining the prosperity of the Throne, coeval with heaven and earth.
Budgetary and important legislative measures, including those for tax reform, introduced by the Government were passed by the Diet at the 75th session. It is the intention of the Government to do everything in their power to ensure the appropriate and efficient operation of these measures; they are determined thereby to successfully tide over the current emergency.
On this occasion, I wish to express my sincere and warm gratitude to officers and men of the Imperial forces who have, on all fronts, made brilliant achievements in the face of serious difficulties ever since hostilities began on the Asiatic Mainland. At the same time I cannot but pay tribute to the memories of those killed in action. In this connection, I express my deep appreciation of the endeavours of you gentlemen and of the devoted service of the nation in protecting wounded soldiers and the families of men at the front. I trust that you gentlemen as prefectural governors will make further efforts for the perfection of necessary home-front measures, in view of the gravity of the current situation.
It is a matter for congratulation that we have seen the birth of a new National Government of China. As reiterated in the past, Japan intends to extend whole-hearted and thorough assistance and cooperation to the newly-born Government in accordance with the
basic principles for the settlement of the China Affair which have been irrevocably decided upon. At the same time we are determined to root out remnants of the pro-Communist and anti-Japanese forces. However, further endeavours and a considerable amount of time will be required before we shall be able to eradicate pro-Communist and anti-Japanese power and influence in China and thereby complete the construction of a new order in East Asia. It is therefore most essential that we should perfect and strengthen the united effort of the entire nation and strive with an indomitable perseverance for the realization of the ultimate purpose of the present Affair, however long it may last.
With regard to the international situation, relations between nations have become extremely intricate and complex since the outbreak of the European War. As already enunciated, Japan is proceeding directly with the task of settling the conflict with China and trying to readjust her foreign relations with that end in view. Thus we will undertake to cope with the world situation from a free and independent position by pursuing a policy of non-involvement in the European War and by keeping a vigilant watch upon its developments. With regard to possible repercussions upon the situation in East Asia, we shall lose no time in meeting them with appropriate measures.
In this state of affairs, we must be prepared to face manifold difficulties, both internally and externally, and to perform with unshakable conviction the task of constructing a new East Asia. In order to bring about greater national prosperity by overcoming these difficulties it is imperative to maintain the general mobilization over a long period and concentrate all forces and resources on the strengthening of national defence. For this purpose, needless to say, we must take appropriate steps for the repletion of armaments. However, in that connection it is no less urgent to promote the national spirit as well as to ensure the development of the economic strength and well-being of the people.
Promotion of National Spirit
In particular, the necessity of promoting the national spirit is most keenly felt with new developments in the current emergency. As a matter of fact, to cultivate the spirit of piety and of honour for ancestors, to reform national education and to improve the physical strength of the people are essential measures for the promotion of the national spirit and consequently for the growth and augmentation of national strength. For the successful execution of these
measures the Government have been depending upon you gentlemen and will depend upon you more than ever in view of the existing state of affairs. You have also been cooperating energetically in the National Spiritual Mobilization Movement, which has served its purpose in no small degree since the outbreak of the present Affair. In view of past experience, however, the Government have decided to reorganize its structure and improve its activities. In so doing, what is aimed at is to make this movement a truly national, practical movement for carrying out national policies. I earnestly hope that you will appreciate the motives and intentions of the Government in effecting the reorganization of the movement and endeavour to strengthen the unity of public opinion, particularly with regard to the ultimate purpose of the China Affair. It is important, in this connection, to improve official discipline, to set, yourselves, personal examples in, and acting as the centres of, these activities under the reorganized system and to work out a programme best suited to local conditions, thereby developing an efficient and effective movement.
The Economic Front
Since the expansion of productive power and the promotion of foreign trade are the basic factors in the development of economic strength, the Government will take steps for their realization, giving due consideration to the possible effects of the European conflict. The Government will also strive to increase transportation capacity and to assure an adequate supply of electric power. Nor will they fail to ensure the maintenance and augmentation of labour power. There should be endeavours, therefore, on the part of the people to realize the ideal of serving the country in terms of industrial activity.
With regard to price policy, there has been carried out recently a reform of the administrative structure concerned, such as the creation of the Price Policy Council and the Price Formation Commission. Through the operation of this new structure the Government will hereafter do their utmost to effect the increase of production and the proper distribution of materials, in accordance with the low-price policy.
The activities of the Government will also be directed toward holding a sufficient supply and carrying out the proper distribution of rice and other necessaries of life as well as of fertilizer, which is essential to rice production. Your duty as prefectural governors, needless to say, is primarily to carry out these measures in a manner
best suited to local conditons [sic]. If, however, your considerations are confined only to local conditions, you will defeat their purpose in not taking a broader view. What is required of you is that you think and plan in terms of the whole country in accordance with national purposes.
I wish to call upon the entire nation, in this connection, to further intensify the wartime consciousness and practise wartime economic morality, thereby exercising strict economy in their own everyday lives. Unless the entire nation live in harmony with wartime principles, the accomplishment of the objectives of the China Affair can in no wise be hoped for. On the part of the Government, efforts will be redoubled to adjust general consumption; on the part of the general public, too, there must be the practice of economy and thrift to the extent of purifying their own lives.
Under the current serious emergency the Government are thus prepared to meet the situation, facing all difficulties and all conditions with an inflexible determination. What we expect of you gentlemen as prefectural governors in this grave hour is truly great; it cannot be over-emphasized. I earnestly desire that you will do your part, heart and soul, in overcoming the current crisis.