Tojo's Broadcast on the Prosecution of the Greater
East Asia War
(July 27, 1942)
Osaka, July 27, 1942
Truly seven months have passed since the beginning
of the Greater East Asia war and the people have reaffirmed their conviction
of ultimate victory more than ever. I am happy to be given the privilege
to speak to you intimately at this time. To begin with, 11 years have
passed since the outbreak of the Manchurian Incident, and during this
period we have overcome various difficulties and surmounted obstacles
through the Manchurian Incident, the China Continent, and moreover the
various fronts in Greater East Asia, the various changes in the Pacific,
the prosecution of the war today, and in the extension of the Imperial
Crown as far as our eye can reach. At this time, I join with you in
expressing my heartfelt appreciation to the indomitable fighting spirit
and superiority of the men and officers of the Imperial forces that
are accounting for repeated and successive victories and in offering
our reverent respects to the souls of the war dead who have passed away
during the performance of their duties in the furtherance of Greater
East Asia. It is truly encouraging to know that you are surmounting
all difficulties under war-time living conditions by uniting in spirit
with the fighting men and that you are extending your full support in
the performance of your public duties, and I should like to express
my sincere congratulations again on this occasion to the people throughout
the nation for their earnest efforts and enthusiasm to endure through
all difficulties.
Now if I should speak in connection with the recent
war situation, as for the China front, in order to completely crush
the Chungking government, our forces have swiftly annihilated the Chungking
troops in the Chekiang and Kiangsi provinces, and besides occupying
the Kiangsi-Chekiang railway line which is the center of opposition
today, our forces have positively closed the railway line which was
the only life line route of transporting material for the Chungking
forces. Our forces have also crushed the communist troops that have
been operating in the various areas of Chekiang, Mongolia, north China
and Inner China. Here then our forces are extending their fullest efforts
at the same time in construction work and in the preservation of peace
and order. In regard to South China, in concert with the above, our
forces are inflicting a mortal blow upon the enemy forces. The Nanking
Government, under the leadership of Wang Ching Wei, is extending full
cooperation with our government with true understanding and is steadily
going forward in completing its governmental structures. The Nanking
government has destroyed the value of old fahpei and is truly achieving
a remarkable record. This means the strengthening of the Nanking government
day by day and the direct or indirect cooperation with our country in
the prosecution of the war is being clearly shown. I have no words to
express my sincere felicitations to the Nanking government. In contrast
to this, the power resistance of the Chungking government has declined
and the possibilities of aid from America and Britain have been destroyed
by our Imperial forces. Furthermore, the atmosphere of internal turmoil
is becoming deeper. I can say that it is only a natural consequence
for any country that refuses to understand the just cause of the establishment
of the Greater East Asia to end in destruction. The leaders of the Chungking
government have not reflected upon themselves the just cause and are
still serving America and Britain as (tools) by guiding the Chinese
masses to offer useless resistance. Although recently there are signs
of a back current, the evil guidance of the leaders can never be forgiven.
For a just cause, our country is effecting a great consolidation and
will see through to the bitter end until our objective is attained.
Now in regard to America and Britain our Imperial forces are constantly
crushing their forces wherever they appear and are continuing swift
and bold attack on their forces. Recently our naval forces have carried
out an attack on the enemy stronghold of Midway and have annihilated
the remnant aircraft carrier force, and at the same time our forces
in the northern Pacific carried out an attack on America's northernmost
fortifications of Dutch Harbor. And furthermore, our forces have occupied
important bases in the Aleutians, and thus our forces have established
strategic positions of solid rock foundation. In regard to the southern
regions, Sydney of northern Australia and the Madagascar island in the
Indian Ocean have been included among the objectives of our attacks.
With the strong determination never to cease fighting until the enemy
is crushed, the indomitable fighting spirit characteristic of our men
is being constantly displayed by their operations. Our Imperial forces
are pressing the enemy in the China Continent, in the Pacific, and in
(Australia) and at the same time carrying out rapid and concrete progress
in the construction of a new order so that the various races may extend
their part In the co-prosperity sphere. The various races in the southern
regions have understood our true intentions and are gladly extending
their cooperation. If I should word it differently, today they are extending
greater cooperation in our military operations as well as in the work
of reconstruction, giving their support concretely and directly. Now
in this manner, the Greater East Asia situation is bringing influence
in the creation of India for the Indian people. There is no need for
me to mention at this time with regard to the indications shown by India
today. The leaders as well as each and every individual of India have
lost their (tolerance) in so far as Britain is concerned, and spiritually
the people of India have become independent of Britain and are demanding
complete withdrawal of British rule from India. As for our country,
the Imperial government has frequently expressed its views that it would
not hesitate in extending cooperation to India towards the attainment
of their long ambition for their independence. British rule in India
is the foundation of the existence of Britain and America. However,
for British and American power to remain in India can not be absolutely
allowed by the Imperial government that is at present striving toward
the destruction of these countries. The countries that have created
world wide attention with India are in southwest Asia, and the people
of these countries are truly about to rise against (Soviet and British)
in order to bring restoration of their races. Such uprisings to eradicate
the unjust and long rule of Britain are only neutral. The Imperial Government
extends its deep sympathy. Our Imperial Government has constantly expressed
its views that the various races must be given a role to participate,
to enjoy eternal prosperity and everlasting progressiveness. In short,
the Mohammedan race in southwestern Asia utilizing the opportunity of
a great change taking place in the world is about to rise for the purpose
of racial restoration, similar to that of India, and the Imperial Government
cannot help but hold anticipation and offer its guidance.
At this time Australia which has been orphaned is
showing a pitiful existence earnestly requesting aid from America. There
is no need for me to mention again that the Imperial Government will
not hold any hesitation if the leaders of Australia still remain incognizant
of the existing situation and continue to offer a profitless resistance.
In regard to South America, that Chile and Argentine
are steadfast to neutrality is worthy of congratulation. I believe,
however, that the only way for other North American countries to avoid
the effects of war would depend entirely upon their neutrality by sweeping
aside whatever interference they are confronted with. The shining countries
of Germany and Italy have made considerable preparations and have started
on a bold military operation. The Axis powers are achieving brilliant
war results in all theaters of war. In regard to the North African front,
the Axis forces have broken through the powerful British forces and
have established a secure structure under their control. In the Mediterranean
Sea, the Axis naval forces have wrenched air and sea power from the
British forces. In the various areas of the Atlantic waters, Axis forces
are inflicting tremendous losses on the sea transportation conditions
of both America and Britain, and lately the rate of losses inflicted
on them have increased greatly. As a result, the life of America and
Britain is rapidly vanishing. Such brilliant war results are truly dependent
on the immovable fighting spirit and the (united strength) of the brilliant
countries of Germany and Italy. I join with you in expressing our sincere
congratulations to Germany and Italy. The present war situation which
has turned to the advantage of the Axis powers affords Japan, Germany,
and Italy to join their hands and fight together in the future through
a long war. Suffering from continuous defeats, in England there are
many cases of destitute living conditions. On the other hand, in America,
a country which does not have a clear picture of the war objective,
the people are upset by the voice of expanding great figures of war
expenditures which the country is not capable of carrying through, and
they are facing increasing domestic difficulties due to the enormous
number of shipping losses. Both America and Britain now are heading
toward destruction day by day.
Manchukuo is ever more taking the form of a country
and is extending close cooperation toward the fulfillment of the objective.
The remarkable restoration of the Nanking government is as I have described
to you previously. Thailand likewise is extending cooperation to our
country. That the various races in the southern regions are awakening
from the oppression of older times and are rising in a reconstruction
is truly beyond expression of congratulation. Therefore, the victories
of our country in concert with the progress made in the advantageous
present war situation have become (immovable.) (next sentence not audible.)
In order to destroy and eradicate American and British power of domination
from the face of the earth, military strength must be increased without
mention but we must utilize every material available to crush the remaining
power of British and American and must consolidate the entire strength
of the nation concentrated on the ultimate objective of the war. I believe
that ultimate victory can be attained if the 100 million people unite
its total strength thus further strengthening the national structure
of our country. The primary requisite of public service behind the home
front is truly the support given by the people to the men and officers
of the Imperial army, and the spirit of the people behind the home front
must be equivalent to the spirit of the armed forces carrying out military
operations and overwhelming the enemy. Following this course, I should
like to mention on this occasion what the government expects of the
people.
The first is the strengthening of the spiritual consolidation
of the people. The thoughts of the soldiers at the front are filled
with memories of their native land and the protection of the home front.
These thoughts can overcome the grief encountered during the performance
of patriotic service, and by their complete devotion in their public
duties our men are able to fight through such brilliant battles. As
a result our men are able to achieve such brilliant war results that
could not compare to America and Britain, and behind the glorious achievements
of war results lie the spiritual consolidation of the people behind
the home front. This point must never be forgotten by the people. On
this occasion I should like to pay my respects to the people in whose
hearts were instilled the destiny of the nation brought about by the
memorable date of December 8, 1941. Here then the nation became strongly
united, burning in the hearts of every subject the disposal of the objective
of the Greater East Asia war. However, in order to establish a structure
of a united people literally, the Imperial Rule Assistance Association
was formed and was followed by the organization of the Imperial Rule
Assistance Political Society. Furthermore, the function and system of
the Imperial Rule Assistance Association were enlarged and reorganized,
thus uniting the total political strength of the nation and striving
toward the fulfillment of the war objective. As for the Imperial Government
it has complete confidence in the people, and whatever task is undertaken
the government approaches with a feeling of sacrifice of Japan. It is
the policy of the government to . . . for the well-being of the subjects
and the government expects the people to expend their efforts in firmly
establishing a structure of unity among the people.
The second is that the government is carrying out
policies only necessary under the war-time situation. The world situation
today is undergoing changes with bewildering rapidity, and in coping
with the rapid and radical changes and in meeting the needs of the armed
forces the question of peace and order internally must be dealt with
most adequately and must be settled most speedily. The government after
giving every consideration to the domestic and external conditions is
taking steps to cope with the situation at an appropriate time by means
of simplifying the functions of government offices and by arriving at
a closer cooperation among the offices. This has been exemplified by
the supply of needed men sent throughout the Greater East Asia sphere
with government duties to perform. What I should like to add at this
time, when effecting consolidation of total effort, it is the government's
view that such a movement be carried out extensively and in the event
the campaign is carried out half-heartedly, as a policy, the government
is strongly determined to liquidate such a movement.
Third is the establishment of a strong security of
the people's living conditions. In order to fight through the war to
victory, it is exceedingly important to expand the strength of the armed
forces and to establish security in the living conditions on a minimum
basis, while carrying out a policy to protect the home front through
the efforts of the people at home. As a policy the government is expending
every effort in the increase of production of foodstuffs, fuel, materials,
and other fields, as well as in the firm establishment of a war time
national structure. It is of primary importance that the living conditions
of the people be made completely secure and undoubtedly there will be
some inconvenience imposed on the people. Among the belligerent nations
today there is no other country where living conditions are more blessed
than the present conditions existing in Japan. At this time I should
like to mention the cooperation of (sea transportation) which concerns
the security of the people's living conditions. Sea transportation is
utilizing every possible opportunity and is extending a priceless cooperation
toward establishing security of the people's living conditions by making
sacrifices which are not few. While fighting is in progress, sea transportation
is exerting itself in bringing gasoline, sugar, and other goods to the
Japan mainland. Such in the spirit of service under the present war
situation, and for this rendering of outstanding service we must feel
grateful. On this occasion, I wish to express with you our sincere appreciation
to the sea transportation service.
Fourth is the successful increased production which
is vital for the strengthening of the military. The great force ...,
the abundant materials, and the large scale productive power have for
their primary objective the fact that production must be evermore strengthened
and expanded with respect to arms to begin with, and various types of
military goods, both in quality and quantity, in order to exterminate
British and American power. Hence, the increased production of military
supplies, as well as the improvement of its qualities, are indispensable
and are deeply necessary toward fighting through this war to victory.
The government lay great emphasis in this respect and hopes for the
furtherance of production of supplies by leaps and bounds.
The fifth is the immediate reformation of education.
In carrying through the war, education plays an important part, but
in order to spread the influence of education, it will depend on the
spirit with which it is carried out. (next sentence not clear.) At this
time, I should like to emphasize how I feel on the necessity of training
men of good character. In winning this great war over Britain and America,
and in order to establish a new Greater East Asia with trained leaders
as the backbone, men of fine characters who are fit to carry out the
various tasks must be trained, and who could be admired by the world.
Hence the necessity of training men is urgently felt. Today is the time
to effect renovation in our educational system. It is a great task of
building a nation with the cooperation of the people with the government.
At this time, when the nation is confronted with an
unprecedented crisis, national structures applicable in the southern
regions must be established with some enthusiasm on the part of the
people. On this day of 2602 year since the founding of the Japanese
Empire, it is of great importance that the people throughout the nation
unite into a ball and go forward in order to spread the Imperial Way
throughout the world. Before the August Virtue of His Imperial Majesty,
the people must strive toward the establishment of a new world order
and at the same time must establish peace. We must by all means complete
our sacred mission of this war and . . .
Today I am proud to stand before you with a thought
that I am exerting my efforts in a lifelong mission. Because I have
passed the last 40 years in the military, fortunately as you see I am
robust and healthy. I am determined to give further service for my country
by keeping myself physically fit, training my body and mind. Total effort
must be collected in the form of total strength and I believe the objective
of the Greater East Asia war will be realized with certainty. At the
conclusion I wish to thank you again for the cooperation you have extended
thus far and I beg of you to extend your continued efforts. I pray for
your health. I wish to conclude my talk.
Sources: ibiblio |