194 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
JAPANESE POLICY FOR EAST
ASIA
An enlightening statement of
Japanese policy is contained in an article entitled; "The present stage of our
great continental policy," written by Takehiko Okuhira, an instructor in Keijo
Imperial University and published in Tairiku ("Great Continent") Magazine for
May, 1941. A summary of the English translation of this article is as
follows:
1. The great continental
policy of Japan originated with the Korean problem, of 1868. It has been
consistent from beginning to end and has been guided by a spirit of universal
concord. But it is based on the defensive point of view of wiping out any menace
from the outside to our national defense.
The continental debouchment
of Japan's economic power was first started in Korea. Then it was extended into
China. But it was after the Russo‑German war that it made its great progress and
came to hold an important position in our great continental policy. It has taken
a natural course, differing essentially from the aggressions of the Western
European countries.
It was necessary for Japan
to conclude an alliance with Germany and Italy, countries which are facing
similar critical situations, due to the political upheaval in the world, and
both of whom possess a common world view.
Our great continental policy
in the present stage is also our world policy, and is based on the world view
harbored by us. For not only does it aim at the expansion and development of our
national power, but also signifies our proposal for a world
administration.
2. Japan's policy aims at
the creation of a new world order and the establish meet of a greater East Asia
mutual prosperity sphere. It has entered a new stage through the conclusion of
the tripartite alliance. These three nations, which occupied opposite seats at
the Paris Peace conference, have come to harbor the
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same historical mission, the
same economic circumstances, and the same political aim. They have banded
together against the serious opposition of the nations advocating the
maintenance of the status quo. The creation of new orders in Europe and
Asia are not only their war aims, but also the guiding principle of the creation
of a new world.
The principle acting as the
support for the creation of a new world order has been provided by the words,
"to regard the acquisition of appropriate territories by each of the nations as
the sine qua non, (necessity) for lasting peace." This principle is the
correct basis for world partition, rather than the recognition of possession as
legal from the fact that a nation got there first. The principle advocates the
acquisition of appropriate territories by every nation of the world to enable it
to exist on earth and not be shut off from space. It sets forth an idea of
systematized order in place of the anarchical world order and world partition of
today.
Another fundamental support
for the creation of a new, world order is the mutual recognition of the right of
leadership for nations. Leadership as an ideology of order has definitely taken
the place of the old idea of balance of power. In Europe Germany and Italy are
carrying on a war to wipe away the influence of Great Britain and put an end to
her traditional policy of balance of power. Japan, who is the stabilizing power
in East Asia, is showing a resolute determination and power to wipe away
America's interference in the changing of the political situation. Their aims
are the same.
3. The great continental
policy and the Pacific policy are inseparable. It was hoped that America would
understand this; but America gradually took over the receding British interests,
and after the conclusion of the Tripartite alliance, America denounced the Axis
as aggressors and strengthened her aid to Britain. She has been rushing headlong
toward war. An agreement has been concluded between Great Britain and America
for America to oppose Japan's navy, with quotations from Prof. Fieldhouse of
Canada and Prof. Whitney Griswold to prove it. This has brought Japan's sea
supremacy to the front. Japan's great continental policy aims to wipe away the
intervention of third powers aiming to encircle Japan, dominate the China Seas,
and also to terminate the clashes between the races of East Asia and their
conquest by Europeans.
4. The Sino‑Japanese treaty
of Oct. 30, 1940, concluded at Nanking, for the readjustment of relations,
failed to bring about complete peace despite the efforts of Wang Ching‑Wei. But,
as the manifestation of the pro‑Japanese centralized government's collaboration
toward the establishment of a new order in China, it unfolded a new phase in
East Asia. The treaty does not discriminate between the winner and the loser and
is based upon equality between Japan and China. It has furthered the formation
of the East Asia bloc and strengthened the axis connecting Japan, Manchukuo and
China, expanding their defense industries, building up their economy by
acquiring and developing natural resources, and formed a anion between Japan and
China just short of military alliance. During the past half year the Chinese
government has made progress by solving her financial problems, monetary system,
peace and order problem, cultural problem (establishment of Nanking Central
University), and is making great strides toward the resurrection of a new China.
There are many obstacles in the path of the Chinese government: to overcome the
feeling of dependence upon Britain and America. But the penetration of the great
Asiatic principle, proclaimed by Wang Ching‑Wei, and the withdrawal of British
and American influences, which actually can be seen, will make the people of
China realize that they are the descendents of a great and free
people.
Chungking has been
continuing her resistance, hoping for America's support. But President
Roosevelt's special envoy, Carey, must have detected that conditions in
Chungking are very different from propaganda sent to America. Her economic power
is exhausted, transportation routes are deficient, is in conflict with Chinese
Red Army, and estranged from her emigrants abroad. She is being made to dance to
the tune of the dying embers of the mistaken nationalism of the intellectual
class and America's political expediency of regarding her as a stone of the
anti‑Japanese cordon.
5. In August of last autumn,
the landing of our troops in French Indo‑China wrote a new page in the annals of
the history of Asia. Loss of French influence led to demands by Thailand for the
return of Laos and Cambodia territory. Behind the scene of Thailand and French
Indo‑China were Britain and America, with threats and warnings, siding with
French Indo‑China. Their attempts at reconciliation were rejected and America
stopped the shipment of airplanes ordered by Thailand. A friendly neutrality
agreement was signed between Japan and
196 CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
Thailand, since which
relations have drawn closer, with the opening up of an airway, trade agreements,
and use of Japanese technicians. Our country, which is determined to maintain
the peace and tranquility of the greater East Asia sphere at all cost, proposed
to arbitrate and mediate the clash between Thailand and French Indo‑China, and
when this was accepted, held the peace conference at Tokyo. After about a month,
this resulted in the acceptance of an impartial peace on March 11. This had
profound significance, strengthening the tie among the three nations and making
Japan's position of leadership in greater East Asia firmer and unshakable.
Moreover, it enhanced the racial consciousness of the oppressed races of
Southern Asia and installed in them hope. Thailand was able to push aside
Britain's influence. Thailand is the spear to stab at Malaya and the Dutch East
Indies, which are embraced within Japan's greater East Asia policy, and to the
north of Thailand lies Burma, which is the gateway of India, while to the east
lies Indo‑China, which as an undeveloped treasure house and embraces Camranh
Bay. All of the races of southern Asia have been robbed of their real eyes by
the propaganda of Britain and America. But since they commonly entertain a
righteous indignation against the conquerors and oppressors, it is expected that
a time will come when they eventually will revolt.
6. The conclusion of the
Sino‑Japanese agreement and mediation of the Thailand‑French Indo‑China border
clash, which occurred during the past half year, after the conclusion of the
tripartite agreement, have made a great stride toward the creation of a new
world order. Our relations with the Dutch East Indies are still being
negotiated. Our country has decided to break with the status quo of
Britain and America and fight resolutely against their antagonistic
interference. The most urgent matter for us is, to pay strictest attention to
changing, phases of the International situation and not take out ekes away from
the political, economic, and military attacks against the Axis nations.
America's anti‑Japanese policy is of an unprecedented positive nature, and is
changing from economic oppression to military coercion. Our continental
policy should be made the core of our national defense. So long as the execution
of our peaceful southward expansion is not threatened, our country will leave
their military bases (such as Singapore) alone. More important than anything
else is making the western Pacific and the South China sea "our waters",
impregnable to the enemies. We should be aware of the fact that not only does
the supremacy of the seas depend upon the actual strength of our feet, but upon
the number of natal bases and their position, our merchant fleet, our
production power, and our strategic raw materials. Since that which would likely
happen in the event of an emergency is protracted blockade warfare, it is an
urgent matter to include the south in the generalized economy plan of Japan,
Manchukuo, and China. The first work should be to awaken within the races of
East Asia,, who are suffering from the exploitation and oppression of the
American and Englishman, their racial consciousness as Asiatics and encourage
them to combine and unite.
The consummation of the
Sino‑Japanese treaty is to Wang Ching‑wei like the discovery of a lighthouse. He
is advancing along these brilliant rays toward lasting peace. But there are
several hundred million people of Asia still wandering about in darkness. But
their eyes are fixed, on our moves to bring about the creation of a new order in
East Asia, even through the smoke screen spread by the Englishman and the
American. If a light to which they can really turn is not hung out today, our
mission of resurrection of East Asia will become exceedingly difficult. Foreign
Minister Komura's diplomatic plan embraced the resurrection of the races of East
Asia. I think the arousing into action of a leader burning with the spirit of an
adventurer from the races under bonds is not far away, and I cannot help, but
look forward to the glorious day of welcoming him.