Japanese Imperial Policy

Policy Adopted at Imperial Conference, 2 July 1941

An Outline of the Policy of the Imperial Government in View of Present Developments

(Decision reached at the Conference held in the Imperial Presence on July 2)

I. Policy

  1. The Imperial Government is determined to follow a policy which will result in the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and world peace, no matter what international developments take place.

  2. The Imperial Government will continue its effort to effect a settlement of the China Incident and seek to establish a sold basis for the security and preservation of the nation. This will involve an advance into the Southern Regions and, depending on future developments, a settlement of the Soviet Question as well.

  3. The Imperial Government will carry out the above program no matter what obstacles may be encountered.

II. Summary

  1. Steps will be taken to bring pressure on the Chiang Regime from the Southern approaches in order to bring about its surrender. Whenever demanded by future developments the rights of a belligerent will be resorted to against Chungking and hostile concessions taken over.

  2. In order to guarantee national security and preservation, the Imperial Government will continue all necessary diplomatic negotiations with reference to the southern regions and also carry out various other plans as may be necessary. In case the diplomatic negotiations break down, preparations for a war with England and America will also be carried forward. First of all, the plans which have been laid with reference to French Indo-China and Thai will be prosecuted, with a view to consolidating our position in the southern territories.

    In carrying out the plans outlined in the foregoing article, we will not be deterred by the possibility of being involved in a war with England and America.

  3. Our attitude with reference to the German-Soviet War will be based on the spirit of the Tri-Partite Pact. However, we will not enter the conflict for some time but will steadily proceed with military preparations against the Soviet and decide our final attitude independently. At the same time, we will continue carefully correlated activities in the diplomatic field.

    ... In case the German-Soviet War should develop to our advantage, we will make use of our military strength, settle the Soviet question and guarantee the safety of our northern borders...

  4. In carrying out the preceding article all plans, especially the use of armed forces, will be carried out in such a way as to place no serious obstacles in the path of our basic military preparations for a war with England and America.

  5. In case all diplomatic means fail to prevent the entrance of America into the European War, we will proceed in harmony with our obligations under the Tri-Partite Pact. However, with reference to the time and method of employing our armed forces we will take independent action.

  6. We will immediately turn our attention to placing the nation on a war basis and will take special measure to strengthen the defenses of the nation.

  7. Concrete plans covering this program will be drawn up separately.


Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation