The world stands at a momentous, historic turning point, and it is about to witness the creation of new forms of government, economy, and culture, based upon the growth and development of sundry groups of nations. Japan, too, is confronted by the greatest trial she has ever experienced. In order to carry out fully at this juncture our national policy in keeping with the lofty spirit in which the nation was founded, it is a task of urgent necessity and importance that we should grasp the inevitable trends in the development of world history, expedite fundamental renovations in all phases of government, and strive for the perfection of the State structure for national defence. Accordingly, the general lines of the country's fundamental policies have been formulated as follows :
Summary of Fundamental National Policies
1. Basic Policy
The basic aim of Japan's national policy lies in the firm establishment of world paece [sic] in accordance with the lofty spirit of Hakko Ichiu,1 in which the nation was founded, and in the construction, as the first step, of a new order in Greater East Asia, resting upon the solidarity of Japan, Manchoukuo and China.
Japan will, therefore, devote the total strength of the nation to the fulfilment of the above policy by setting up speedily an unshakable national structure and stand of her own adapted to meet the requirements of new developments both at home and abroad.
2. National Defence and Foreign Policy
The Government will strive, in view of the latest world and domestic developments, for the repletion of armaments adequate for the execution of national policies, armaments founded upon the State structure for national defence organized in such manner as to bring into full play the total strength of the nation.
Japan's foreign policy, which aims ultimately at the construction of a new order in Greater East Asia, will be directed, first of all, toward a complete settlement of the China Affair, and to the advancement of the national fortune by taking a far-sighted view of the drastic changes in the international situation and by formulating
1 "The World as one Family."
both constructive and flexible measures to meet these changes.
3. Renovation of Internal Structure
What is urgently required in internal administration is the laying of the foundation for a State structure for national defence through a complete renovation of the domestic administration in general, for which purpose the Government expect the realization of the following points :
A. Renovation of education completely in harmony with the fundamental principles of national polity and the establishment of national morality which stresses, above all, service to the State and renounces all selfish and materialistic ideas.
B. Establishment of a powerful new political structure and a unified control of government affairs.
a. Establishment of a new national structure, of which the keynote lies in service to the State through cooperation between Government and people, every man in accordance with his ability and within the sphere of his vocational activities.
b. Renovation of the Diet as an organ for assisting the Throne, so as to adapt it to the new national structure.
c. Fundamental renovation in the operation of administrative organs and the reformation of the bureaucracy aiming at the unity and efficiency of those organs.
C. Laying of the foundation of national defence economy based on the autonomous development of the economy of Japan, Manchoukuo and China with Japan as the centre.
a. Establishment of a sphere of cooperative economies, with the Japan-Manchoukuo-China group as one of the units.
b. Inauguration of a planned economy through the cooperation of Government and people, and especially the perfection of a unitary control system covering the production, distribution and consumption of important goods.
c. Establishment of a financial programme and reinforcement of control of finance and banking, directed toward the development of the nation’s total economic strength.
d. Renovation of the foreign trade policy so as to adapt it to the new world situation.
e. Establishment of measures for self-sufficiency in respect of the people’s daily necessities, especially in the principal foodstuffs.
f. An epoch-making expansion of the vital industries—especially the heavy, chemical and machine industries.
g. An epoch-making promotion of science and rationalization of production.
h. Perfection and extension of the communication and trans-
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portation facilities so as to adapt them to the new developments at home and abroad.
i. Establishment of land development plans aiming at the enhancement of the total national strength.
j. Inauguration of permanent measures for the promotion of the stamina and physical strength of the nation, and particularly the fundamental measures for the security and development of agriculture and agricultural communities.
k. Rectification of the inequality in individual sacrifices incident to the execution of national policies ; full operation of various welfare measures, and renovation of the mode of living of the nation, and the maintenance of such standard of living as will enable the nation to lead a plain, solid and vigorous life and to surmount the national crisis by persevering truly through years of hardship.