762.9411/25: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 27—2:30 p.m.]
910. Number 2. Translation radio address by Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, September 27, 1940:
“Today, on the occasion of the conclusion of the three-power pact between Japan, Germany and Italy, an Imperial rescript—I am profoundly moved to say—has been issued to the nation. What we His Majesty’s subjects should do has been plainly indicated by the Prime Minister in his message. I sincerely believe that it is incumbent upon all of us to lay to heart the august will of our Sovereign and put forth our best efforts in order to surmount the current emergency.
Our country is now faced with a most difficult situation, unparalleled in its history. What step we should take at this moment is a grave problem upon which hangs the fate of our nation. The Government, keenly conscious of the gravity of its responsibilities, is seeing to it that nothing shall come amiss.
The objective of Japan’s foreign policy is no other than to dispose of the China affair, to construct a sphere of common prosperity in greater East Asia and to contribute thereby to the establishment of true peace for the entire world. But when we look at the actual international situation we find that this intention of Japan is not yet fully understood. There are countries which have the mistaken idea that peace means the mere maintenance of the old order, or those which, while realizing the inevitability of change, are reluctant to part with the old order. Moreover, there are countries which attempt to obstruct, directly or indirectly, our construction of a new order in greater East Asia, and even those who resort to all sorts of stratagem in order to block the path of Japan’s advance toward the [Page 167] fulfillment of her great historic mission—that of establishing world peace. The Japanese Government has assiduously striven to remedy this regrettable state of affairs. Nevertheless, I regret to say that the situation has not only failed to improve, but it has even shown signs of aggravation in certain quarters.
Circumstances have now brought Japan to the point where she can no longer permit the international situation to drift as it will. At this juncture there is only one course for Japan to take. That is to say internally we should stand resolutely together—one hundred million people as one—by establishing speedily the new state structure for national defense; and externally, we should first unite with Germany and Italy which have the same aspirations and policy as ours and later with those powers who can cooperate with us. We should thus go fearlessly forward to carry out our conviction, calling at the same time upon those powers that obstruct us to reconsider their attitude. In such manner, the Government expects to achieve the ultimate aim of our Yamato race—namely, the establishment of a new order in East Asia.
Accordingly, we have conducted negotiations with the representatives of Germany and Italy which have resulted in the conclusion of the three-power pact, made public just a short while ago.
The establishment of this historic relationship of alliance between the three countries is of course due to the wisdom of our gracious Sovereign. At the same time it owes much to the judgment and decision of the eminent leaders of Germany and Italy—Chancellor Hitler and Premier Mussolini. Again, the Grerman Foreign Minister, Mr. von Ribbentrop, has earnestly made efforts for German-Japanese cooperation from the very day he assumed his present post, while the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, having been once stationed in East Asia, and understanding fully Japan’s position in East Asia, has ceaselessly labored for the promotion of Italo-Japanese friendship. Needless to say, these two Foreign Ministers have played important roles in the conclusion of the present pact.
The pact provides that Japan, Germany and Italy shall cooperate freely with one another toward the construction of a new order, respectively in greater East Asia and in the regions of Europe, in which these powers are at present engaged. It also provides that if any one of the contracting parties should be attacked by an outside power, at present not involved in the European war or in the China affair, the three contracting powers shall render mutual assistance with all possible means, political, economic, and military. Accordingly, it does not mean that because of this pact Japan is to enter the European war at present, nor that she intends to challenge any power without provocation. It may be added also that the present treaty will not affect in any way the existing political status between Japan, Germany and Italy on the one hand and Soviet Russia on the other.
The Treaty also provides that Germany and Italy recognize Japan’s position of leadership in regard to the construction of a new order in greater East Asia. We in turn recognize the leadership of Germany and Italy in the European regions where they are now engaged in the establishment of a new order, staking even their national existence in the undertaking. And thus the three powers are to join forces and help one another to the utmost.
[Page 168]With the conclusion of this treaty, Japan’s responsibilities as leader of the new order in greater East Asia becomes even greater than before. Although it is the intention of the Japanese Government to fulfill these responsibilities always by peaceful means, there is no telling whether there might not arise occasions and circumstances calling for a momentous decision on the part of our nation. Our future is beset with countless obstacles and difficulties which, it must be fully realized, no ordinary effort will be sufficient to surmount. Our Government and people, united as one and grasping fully the situation both at home and abroad, should be prepared to endure all hardships and sacrifices, and redouble their efforts so as to conform to the august will of our Sovereign.”