The Japanese Ambassador to Germany, Mr. Saburo Kurusu, taking the opportunity afforded by the conclusion of the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany and Italy as well as the celebration of the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire, invited Fuehrer and Chancellor Adolf Hitler and other high ranking officials of the German Government to a luncheon at 2 o'clock P.M. on November 15 (Berlin time) held at his official residence. At this gathering the Fuehrer tendered to Ambassador Kurusu the expression of his congratulation on the prosperity of the Imperial Family of Japan and then handed to Ambassador Kurusu the following message of felicitation for the 2,600th anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire :
I wish to tender the expression of congratulation of Germany to her friend, the Japanese nation, for the 2600 years of their existence under an unbroken line of Emperors. I recall in admiration with the German people that Japan has in this long period accomplished fully the task of building up her Empire. The Japanese nation may with pride remember that no enemy has ever trampled upon their islands and that on account of this the Japanese race has for thousands of years preserved its purity.
It must be a source of satisfaction to Japan that her influence in East Asia and her prestige in the world have always been growing and that Japan is able to establish together with leading Powers of other parts of the globe, the new order in a better and more righteous world.
I, therefore, feel a great joy in expressing to the ally, the Japanese nation, my hearty congratulation. Japan, who is fighting hard together with the German and Italian nations in a struggle for her rights of existence will, by manifesting her heroic tradition, attain her goal which destiny has bestowed on her—a glorious peace in a secure lebensraum.