THE Governments of Japan, Germany and Italy, considering it as the condition precedent to any lasting peace that all nations of the world be given each its own proper place, have decided to stand by and cooperate with one another in regard to their efforts in Greater East Asia and the regions of Europe, respectively, wherein it is their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things calculated to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned. Furthermore, it is the desire of the three Governments to extend cooperation to such nations in other spheres of the world as may be inclined to put forth endeavours along lines similar to their own, in order that their ultimate aspirations for world peace may thus be realized. Accordingly, the Governments of Japan, Germany and Italy have agreed as follows :
Article 1. Japan recognizes and respects the leadership of Germany and Italy in the establishment of a new order in Europe.
Article 2. Germany and Italy recognize and respect the leadership of Japan in the establishment of a new order in Greater East Asia.
Article 3. Japan, Germany and Italy agree to cooperate in their efforts on the aforesaid lines. They further undertake to assist one another with all political, economic and military means when one of the three Contracting Parties is attacked by a Power at present not involved in the European War or in the Sino-Japanese Conflict.
Article 4. With a view to implementing the present Pact, Joint Technical
Commissions, the members of which are to be appointed by the respective Governments of Japan, Germany and Italy, shall meet without delay.
Article 5. Japan, Germany and Italy affirm that the aforesaid terms do not in any way affect the political status which exists at present as between each of the three Contracting Parties and the Soviet Union.
Article 6. The present Pact shall come into effect immediately upon signature and shall remain in force for ten years from the date of its coming into force.
At a proper time before the expiration of the said term the High Contracting Parties shall, at the request of any one of them, enter into negotiations for its renewal.