711.94/1628
Oral Statement by the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Arita) to the American Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
On the occasion of Your Excellency’s departure for America last year our then Prime Minister, Baron Hiranuma, asked you to carry a message to your Secretary of State,77 in which he stated that to save Europe from a disastrous war that would result in indescribable suffering of hundreds of millions of people as well as the complete destruction of civilization was the duty, he believed, of Japan and the United States situated outside the scope of European conflict. Unfortunately the cooperation of our two countries regarding the prevention of war was not realized. However, I am in full agreement with you in the view that we should now exert the greatest efforts toward minimizing the unfortunate results of the European war vis-à-vis America and Asia. In fact, it is because of this conviction on the part of our Government, that they declared their policy of non-involvement immediately following the outbreak of war in Europe last September, and they have strictly adhered to that policy ever since.
Japan desires to see all nations enjoy their proper places, and peace established and maintained throughout the world. That is the underlying policies and principles of our foreign relations, and all our efforts are concentrated upon the attainment of these objectives. And in order to preserve peace, it is necessary of course that the principles of national sovereignty, justice, law and order, should be respected, but also, I believe, that all countries should appreciate one another’s [Page 91] position in the light of the world’s changes and actual conditions. The message of Baron Hiranuma to Mr. Cordell Hull contained the following passage regarding the causes of the pre-war antagonism in Europe: “There may be contentions on both sides, but on cool scrutiny of the European situation since the World War we come to the conclusion that although Germany and Italy may be advised to be more patient, Great Britain and France also have a great deal to reconsider.” To repeat these words, though they refer to the past beyond remedy, may not be altogether unprofitable.
Japan has always advocated free movement of both men and commodities. This principle, I regret to say, has been frequently violated and Japan has been obliged to undergo bitter experiences. Immigration is restricted, and markets are opened or closed to suit the convenience of the importing countries, while the importation of the necessities into Japan is prohibited or limited at will by the exporting countries. Though these countries may have taken such steps only as temporary measures dictated by their respective needs, the fact remains that Japan which must seek overseas markets because of her limited domestic trade, and which being deficient in various goods and raw materials must depend upon imports from abroad, finds the situation intolerable. In such circumstance, and especially in the abnormal situation brought on by the gigantic hostilities in China now nearly three years old, it is imperative that Japan should endeavour to preserve certain special trade relationships with neighbouring countries and regions, although she upholds as a fundamental basis for trade the principle of non-discrimination.