I have been deeply moved and filled with awe at receiving unexpectedly the Imperial Command to assume the responsibility of administering the affairs of the State. On this occasion, I want to greet you all, members of the nation, laying before you some of my views.
As you are all aware, the world situation has very recently undergone a precipitate and astounding change. The old world order has collapsed, beginning with Europe, and the process of disintegration has extended to other parts of the world. Several weeks ago, I resigned from the Presidency of the Privy Council, prompted by the desire to exert myself as best I could to bring about a renovation of the national political structure which would inevitably be called for in the face of the extreme gravity of the world situation. Were opposing views to continue within the nation with consequent conflict between representative groups and sections of the people, the full strength of the nation could in no wise be directed toward the solution of external problems; wavering in national attitude will be the only result.
The evils attendant upon political parties in the past lie, to my mind, in two directions. One is that the basic principles of those political groupings are founded upon liberalism, democracy or socialism, and their views of the world and of life are incompatible with our national polity. This must be speedily altered and fundamentally revised. The other is that the parties are organized mainly for the purpose of seizing political power and ruling thereby. This should never be, as the Legislative's task is that of assisting the Throne in the administration of State affairs. We must eliminate these evils and return to the inherent character of the Japanese nation, thus affording true service to the State in accordance with the Imperial Will, all the people being united in one mind.
And this principle holds good not only in the political field but likewise in all departments of national life; the civil and fighting Services, the Army and Navy, the Government and the people, the upper and lower sections of the population, should all be united as one in obedience and devotion to the Throne. Briefly, under this new political structure the whole nation, with one accord, looking
up to the Imperial Will, must try to solve speedily and properly the many internal and external problems arising out of the present world upheaval, truly historic in its significance.
While I was reflecting upon this new structure, I received unexpectedly the Imperial Command to form a Cabinet. Accordingly, I was called upon to realize first a new structure within the Government itself. Now that complete unity in views and concert in action has been achieved between the Army and Navy as well as between these two Services and the Foreign Office, I am convinced, the Cabinet can go straight ahead under an unshakable fundamental policy to meet any difficulties that may arise.
To state a few major points in the policy agreed upon, in her foreign relations, Japan should walk in a way of her own, assuming a consistently independent position. To walk in a way of her own does not mean to pursue a passive independent foreign policy. We must be prepared not merely to meet the world crisis, but also to guide the destinies of the changing world, and to create a new world order by our own power. Accordingly, foreign policy should not be swayed by those changes of immediate moment but by taking a long view—looking to possible developments in ten, twenty and fifty years, thus proceeding independently, positively and constructively in our relations with other parts of the world.
In the field of economics, in order to energetically carry out the foreign policy just outlined, we must move away as soon as possible from the system of foreign dependence. In this sense the necessity of economic collaboration between our friendly neighbours, Manchoukuo and China, as well as the development in the South Seas region are being felt all the more urgently. It may be expected that for the time being we may lack certain materials and suffer from the unbalance of supply in its relation to demand. The Government expects in this connection to assure with everything in its power the necessaries of life for the benefit of the people. As this question certainly concerns the everyday living of every member of the Japanese nation, each one, by putting aside private interests, must positively strive to enhance production and at the same time practise economy in consumption. In point of fact, there has never been a nation that has risen to prosperity and strength by giving itself over to luxury and pleasure. The Government, therefore, intend to cut its budget as much as possible dispensing with non-urgent items and guarding against extravagances. At the same time, various control measures affecting private enterprises will be carried out. In so doing, however, the Government will not arbitrarily suppress individual initiative nor override the wishes of the
people, but, on the contrary, lead the people in such way that they will gladly and voluntarily serve the country in this matter.
Lastly, I wish to say a few words on our educational policy. At this time when a drastic revision of foreign and economic policies should be made in order to overcome unprecedented difficulties, in the face of the changing situation, the educational policy alone cannot be left as it is. When we think of the future of our Empire we cannot but find that success or failure of national policy and the destiny of the nation depend almost exclusively upon the nature of the education offered to our youth; the so-called moulding of the Japanese people should be done not so much in a material or outward sense as in their innermost soul. Learning in the past has had the defect of trifling with abstract speculations, forgetting the realities of life. This should be fully reflected upon. In order to bring up the rising generation who have a clear conception of national polity, educators themselves must have a sincere heart and a respect for moral principles. With this in view the Government intend to improve the whole educational system.
What I have stated this evening is a part of what is in my mind. It is only a part; nevertheless it is the most important part. So I have laid it before you in this initial hour of the new Cabinet earnestly desiring the cooperation of every one of the members of the nation. Allow me to add, in closing, that I myself will strive to the utmost in realizing my conviction, thus reverently assisting the Throne in the administration of the Affairs of the State.