894.00/1051: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2—9:50 a.m.]
920. The Fourth Imperial Conference since the beginning of the China incident was held this morning in the presence of the Emperor and attended by Konoye, Hiranuma, Matsuoka, War Minister Tojo, Navy Minister Oikawa, Finance Minister Kawada, Planning Board Chief Suzuki, following from Imperial Headquarters: Sugiyama,59 Nagano,60 Kondo, and President of Privy Council Hara.
The Government issued the following statement at 1:30 this afternoon:
“At the Imperial Conference held today the fundamental national policy to be taken toward the present situation was decided.”61
The following statement was issued by Matsuoka at 2 o’clock:
“A decision regarding the Government’s fundamental policy was reached at the Imperial Conference today. The German-Soviet war cannot be regarded simply as an armed clash between the two countries. It is necessary for Japan to watch with the closest attention the development of conditions directly affecting this situation, the movement of individual countries and their relations, and to maintain the firmest resolution and the most careful preparation. I believe that a super emergency period is developing in the Far East which will directly affect Japan. As this situation develops the nation must maintain the coolest attitude and unity so that the Emperor’s wishes may be fulfilled and our objective achieved without mistake.”