Ambassador Naotake Sato, head of the Japanese Mission to Italy, accompanied by Ambassador Amau at Rome, called on the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Benito Mussolini, at the Venetian Palace at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon of May 23. At the interview Mr. Sato handed to Prime Minister Mussolini the following message from Prime Minister Yonai and carried on a conversation on various matters. The interview was held in a very friendly atmosphere, contributing greatly to the promotion of cordial relations between Japan and Italy.
Text of the Message
The Italian Government previously dispatched to Japan a Fascist Good Will Mission headed by Marquis Paulutti testifying to the profound friendship of Italy for Japan, and furthermore did much to promote the economic relations between Japan and Italy by sending the Economic Mission under Count Conti. Now it is a great honour and pleasure for me to convey to the Government and people of Italy the profound respect and friendly sentiment of the Government and people of Japan through His Excellency Ambassador Naotake Sato, head of the mission specially dispatched to your country for the purpose of making more intimate the economic relations
and promoting the traditional friendship between our two countries.
In East Asia a brilliant new era has dawned with the beginning of the construction of a new order together with the establishment of a new Central Government in China. Clearly perceiving the present situation from the outset of the China Affair, the Italian Government and people have steadfastly maintained an attitude of sympathetic understanding and friendly assistance towards Japan, thereby creating a deep impression upon the Japanese Government and people. It is a matter for hearty congratulation not only for Japan and Italy but for all mankind who long for the establishment of permanent peace based on justice that the cooperation between Japan and Italy—two nations, respectively of the East and West known for their tradition and culture—is increasing in cordiality in political, ecomonic [sic] and cultural spheres.
In view of the extremely grave international situation arising from the outbreak of the European war, the people of Japan watch with sympathy and friendship and congratulate the efforts of the people of Fascist Italy, who are the successors to the tradition of ancient Rome, for the establishment of international justice as well as the progress of their fatherland.
It is my firm belief that Italo-Japanese cooperation which has been further solidified since the conclusion of the Anti-Comintern Agreement has the noble mission of increasingly demonstrating its real value in revealing to a dark and confused world the road to peaceful progress.
Taking advantage of this momentous occasion, I tender to Your Excellency my deep respect through this message carried by the mission now being sent to your country as a symbol of the growing cordiality between Japan and Italy and at the same time I earnestly hope that the Government and people of Italy will enjoy greater prosperity and well-being.
April 8, 1940.