An Imperial Rescript declaring war having been graciously granted, the Japanese Government hereby makes an announcement to all the world.
It is the immutable policy of Japan to insure the stability of East Asia and to contribute to the cause of world peace, while the guiding principle of its foreign policy has been to carry out the aforesaid national policy by cultivating friendship with all nations. Unfortunately, the China Affair broke out, owing to the fact that China failed to comprehend Japan's true intentions, and provoked a conflict. But under the august virtue of our Sovereign, our Imperial forces proved victorious wherever they went. All important points in China have now fallen into our hands, and far-sighted Chinese leaders sharing the same views with us have established anew the National Government of China, with which Japan has formed the ties of neighbourly friendship, and which have already been recognized by as many as eleven friendly Powers. Today, the Chungking Government, surviving in the remote interior, can do no more than continue their futile resistance. However, the United States of America and the British Empire, unwilling to alter their senseless policy of keeping East Asia permanently in a servile position, obstructed by all means the settlement of the China Affair. Moreover, they instigated the Netherlands East Indies, menaced French Indo-China and resorted to all possible measures with a view to alienating Japan and Thailand. So busily engaged were these two Powers in frustrating Japan's natural aspiration to promote with these countries of the South the relationship of common prosperity, that it appeared they were about to open a planned attack upon us. Finally, they went so far as to adopt the outrageous measure of severing economic relations with Japan. Between non-belligerent Powers the rupture of economic relations constitutes a hostile action comparable to a challenge by
armed force. Not content even with such an impermissible action, the two Powers, inducing other countries to follow suit, caused the increase of armed forces on all sides of Japan, creating a grave menace to our existence. Despite such menace to the existence of Japan and the stability of East Asia, the Japanese Government, anxious to preserve the peace of the Pacific and to prevent the spread of war-like disturbances to all the world, conducted patiently and prudently for eight long months diplomatic negotiations with the United States. We urged upon the United States, and Britain at its back, and also other countries under the influence of the two Powers, reconsideration of their attitude. We showed the spirit of conciliation as far as it was compatible with both the existence and prestige of our Empire, and we endeavoured toward a peaceful settlement. We tried all that could be tried, and did all that could be done. However, the American Government, toying with utopian principles, refused to recognize the plain realities of East Asia. Blinded by its material strength, it failed to see the real power of Japan. And in conjunction with its associate Powers, the American Government increased military menace in the belief that it could thereby compel Japan's submission. No longer there exists any hope or formula to maintain the peace of the Pacific in cooperation with the United States and associate Powers through the adjustment of our relations with them by peaceful means. The stability of East Asia and the existence of Japan are now in jeopardy. Even today they are directly attacking our armed forces. Such being the situation, an Imperial Rescript declaring war on the United States of America and the British Empire has been issued. The Government is filled with awe on receiving the Imperial Injunction. It is time for us, one hundred million subjects of His Majesty, to stand up resolutely with a unity of will strong as iron, and devote the nation's total strength to the prosecution of the war in order that we may eliminate forever the sources of evil in East Asia and thereby meet the august wishes of our Sovereign.
There remains, glorious as the sun and stars, the Imperial Rescript on Japan's mission to enable all nations to have each its proper place in the world. And immutable is our policy to realize common prosperity of Japan, China and Manchoukuo through the cooperation and collaboration of the three countries, and to lay the foundation for the rise and progress of East Asia. And firm and
unshakable as ever is our national resolve that, in alliance with Germany and Italy sharing the same aspirations with Japan, we should mark a foundation for world peace and march forward toward the construction of a new order. Japan is now obliged newly to take action in the various regions of the South, but it should be stressed that we harbour no hostile intention toward the peoples of those regions. We only desire to do away with the tyranny of America and Britain and to restore East Asia to its proper and undefiled state of existence and share in the enjoyment of common prosperity with them all. We are convinced that the peoples of these regions will understand Japan's true intentions and look forward to a new beginning of life in a new East Asia.
The rise or fall of our Empire, and the progress or decline of East Asia, depend upon the present war. All our people, mindful of the origin and the mission of this campaign, should not act rashly nor be neglected. But through our industry and endurance we should prove worthy of the best traditions of our forefathers.
Looking up to the brilliant accomplishments of those in history who turned every crisis into an opportunity of furthering our national fortune, we should pledge ourselves to assist in the noble and far-sighted Imperial policy, and to attain the aims of the present campaign and to set thereby our Sovereign's mind forever at ease.