On Receiving the Imperial Rescript
Just now an Imperial Rescript declaring war has been granted. At this very moment our brave military and naval forces are defying death in the field of battle.
In spite of all that our Empire has done, ardently desiring the preservation of the general peace of East Asia, our efforts have ended in a failure.
The Government has employed every means at its disposal in its endeavour to bring about a successful adjustment of Japanese-American relations. But the United States refused to make the least concession, and instead joining in league with Britain, the Netherlands and Chungking, demanded unilateral concessions on our part, such as unconditional and wholesale evacuation of our military and naval forces from China, non-recognition of the Nanking Government, and the annulment of the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany and Italy. Even then, we have continued to the last our efforts to reach a peaceful settlement. But the United States has shown no sign of reconsidering its own attitude. Should we submit to such imposition, the prestige of our Empire would be compromised. It would mean not only a failure to settle the China Affair, but it would also result in endangering the very existence of our Empire.
Things having come to this pass, Japan is now obliged to go to war in order to surmount the present crisis and to defend itself and to preserve itself.
On reading the Imperial Rescript, I am filled with awe and trepidation. Powerless as I am, I am resolved to dedicate myself, body and soul, to the country, and to set at ease the august mind of our Sovereign. And I believe that every one of you, my fellow countrymen, will not care for your life, but gladly share in the honour to make of yourself "His Majesty's humble shield."
The "key to victory" lies in a "faith in victory." For 2600 years since it was founded, our Empire has never known a defeat.
This record alone is enough to produce a conviction in our ability to crush any enemy no matter how strong. Let us pledge ourselves that we will never stain our glorious history but go forward to construct even a greater Japan of tomorrow. It is true, we have shown until today the maximum measure of patience and endurance. But that is not because we sought ease and comfort, or because we feared the power and size of our enemy. It is only because we desired to preserve the peace of the world, and to prevent a calamity from befalling the mankind. However, now that our enemy has challenged us and threatens the existence and prestige of our fatherland, we cannot but stand up with resolution.
Our adversaries, boasting rich natural resources, aim at the domination of the world. In order to annihilate this enemy and to construct an unshakable new order of East Asia, we should anticipate naturally a long war. At the same time it requires, needless to say, a tremendous amount of constructive energy. We must march on, surmounting every possible obstacle, with a firm conviction in the final victory. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to test the mettle of us Japanese of the Syowa Era. Only by undergoing this test successfully, may we deserve the honour to be hailed by posterity as builders of the Greater East Asia.
Happily at this moment, the alliance with Germany and Italy and the relationship of "One virtue and one mind" which binds Japan with Manchoukuo and China, are growing stronger than ever.
The rise or fall of our Empire and the prosperity or ruin of East Asia literally depend upon the outcome of this war. Truly it is time for the one hundred million of us Japanese to dedicate all we have and sacrifice everything for our country's cause. As long as there remains under the policy of Hakkō Itiu this great spirit of loyalty and patriotism, we have nothing to fear in fighting America and Britain. Victory, I am convinced, is always with the illustrious virtues of our Sovereign. In making known these humble views of mine, I join with all my countrymen in pledging myself to assist in the grand Imperial enterprise.