Glorious Mission 1937

It was under the domination of this kind of thinking that on April 1940, 4, the Japanese government discussed and passed the decided "Basic National Policy Outline" at the cabinet meeting.

This "Basic National Policy Outline" is a basic national policy formulated by the Japanese government in response to the changing situation in the world. The Japanese government believes that the world is currently facing a historic turning point, mainly based on the formation and development of several national groups. The tone is forming a new politics, economy and culture, and it is also a new round of division of the world.

As the most powerful country in Asia, the Japanese government is also facing the biggest test in history.Under such circumstances, if Japan wants to truly follow the spirit of Zhaoguo and complete the Warring States goals set by Japan during the Meiji period, Japan must grasp the inevitable trend of world historical development, quickly and fundamentally refresh the various aspects of government, and eliminate Therefore, the basic "Basic National Policy Outline" was formulated.

According to the "Basic National Policy Outline", the basic policy of the Japanese government in the future administration is: "The kingdom of the imperial country is to follow the spirit of founding the country with eight koi and one universe, and to establish world peace as the foundation. First, the imperial country is the core, and the construction is based on Japan The new order of Greater East Asia based on the strong unity of Manhua and Hua. For this reason, the imperial country itself must quickly establish a solid national posture that adapts to the new situation, and devote all the power of the country to move forward to realize the above-mentioned national affairs.”

The policy of national defense and foreign affairs is: "In view of the new situation at home and abroad, the national defense and national system based on the development of the country's overall strength will be the basis, and the armaments sufficient to complete the country will be enriched. The current diplomacy of the empire is based on the establishment of a new order in Greater East Asia. First of all, the Focus on ending the incident in China, and take a comprehensive look at the changes in the international situation. Emphasize constructive and flexible strategies in order to promote the national destiny of the imperial country."

In terms of refreshing the domestic system, the "Basic National Policy Outline" also has new regulations: "The top priority of our country's internal affairs is to reform various government affairs in accordance with the original meaning of the national system and establish the foundation of the national defense system. To this end, we are determined to achieve the following: 1. .Innovate education, implement the original meaning of the national system, and at the same time eliminate personal utilitarianism, establish the national morality that serves the country as the first righteousness. And revitalize the scientific spirit. 2. Establish a strong new political system. In order to fully unify the state affairs 3. Centering on the imperial state and independently building the economies of Japan, Manchuria and China, establish the fundamentals of the national defense economy. 4. Ensure the driving force behind the promotion of nationalism, and formulate permanent strategies to improve the national physique and increase the population. In particular, formulate a stable The fundamental policy for the development of agriculture. 5. Resolutely correct the unbalanced national burden caused by the implementation of national policies. Implement various welfare measures. At the same time, innovate the way of life of the people and ensure that the simple and healthy people can adapt to ten years of hardship and overcome difficulties. standard of living."

Under the guidance of the "Basic National Policy Outline".In order to adapt to the evolution of the world situation, on the second day after the formulation of the "Basic National Policy Outline", Emperor Hirohito of Japan held a joint meeting of the headquarters and the government in the palace, and formulated the "Outline for Handling the Current Situation Adapting to the Evolution of the World Situation".

The main policy of the "Outline for Handling the Current Situation Adapting to the Evolution of the World Situation" is: "In order to cope with the changes in the world situation, the empire should improve the internal and external situation, promote the rapid conclusion of the Chinese incident, and at the same time, seize the opportunity to solve the southern problem. In the situation where the Chinese incident has not yet ended Next, we will make a decision on the system transformation with a focus on the south, after comprehensive consideration of the internal and external situation. We will do our utmost to promote the preparations for the above two items.”

The specific work essentials are: "To deal with the incident in China, try to concentrate the comprehensive power of the strategy and strategy. In particular, we should use all means to cut off the aid of Chiang Kai-shek from a third country, and quickly force the Chongqing regime to submit. Regarding the policy against the south, we should try our best to take advantage of the changes in the situation and seize the opportunity." advance it."

With regard to foreign policies, while promoting the handling of the incident in China, the goal is to solve the southern issue, and the following items are generally the guidelines: Political unity, vigorously adjust relations with the Soviet Union."

"Second, maintain a fair proposition and a rigorous attitude towards the United States. Of course, the inevitable deterioration of relations caused by the necessary measures taken by the empire is unavoidable, but we should always pay attention to its movements and adopt a policy to avoid increasing friction on our own initiative. .”

"Third, with regard to places such as French Indochina and Hong Kong, strive to completely cut off their aid to Chiang Kai-shek, and at the same time quickly force them to agree to the passage and use of airports by our army's supply mission troops, and strive to obtain the resources needed by the empire. According to the situation, The use of force may be considered. As for Hong Kong, in conjunction with the complete cutting off of the Burmese Aid to Chiang Kai-shek Highway, vigorously advance the work in all aspects, first of all, quickly eradicate the hostile forces. As for the concession, it was first sought to eliminate the hostile forces and retreat the warring troops, and at the same time, induce On the Chinese side, make it gradually withdrawn."

"Fourth, with regard to the Dutch East Indies, temporarily use diplomatic measures to secure its vital resources."

"[-]. In view of the importance of national defense, the original German and French islands in the South Pacific should be managed by diplomatic measures as much as possible to make them belong to us."

"Sixth, with regard to other countries in the south, we should strive to make them cooperate with me through friendly measures."

The "Outline for Dealing with the Current Situation Adapting to the Evolution of the World Situation" also specifically mentioned the use of force against Southeast Asia. When the settlement is completed, in order to resolve the southern issue, as long as the internal and external situation permits, seize the opportunity and use force. [-]. Before the settlement of the incident in China is completed, countermeasures should be taken within the limit of not going to war with a third country. Once the situation develops to my advantage, in order to solve the southern problem, force can be used. [-]. The period, scope and method of the use of force by the first two should be determined according to the situation. [-]. When using force, we should try our best to keep our opponents in the war It is limited to the United Kingdom. However, even in this case, war with the United States will be inevitable, so full preparations should be made.”

In order to implement the "Outline" to the greatest extent, the Japanese government has also specially formulated an implementation plan, which can be roughly divided into four aspects: 4. Implement strong politics.[-]. Extensive mobilization.Third, establish a wartime economic system.[-]. Reserve war materials and expand ships.

The "Outline for Dealing with the Current Situation Adapting to the Evolution of the World Situation" will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Japan's future, and it is the Japanese military department, especially the Japanese Army, that prompted the decision on this outline.Such a major national policy was decided hastily only by holding a joint meeting and without sufficient discussion.

But think about it, it is also a helpless move for Japan to propose this seemingly crazy "Outline for Handling the Current Situation Adapting to the Evolution of the World Situation".It has been three years since the Sino-Japanese War. Although the Chiang regime has come to an end, it has not given up the war of resistance.In terms of the European war, the old forces are succumbing to the power of emerging powers, and the only remaining country is the United Kingdom, and the situation will evolve rapidly.

The reason why China's anti-Japanese regime has not given up the war of resistance is largely due to the underestimation of Japan's national power and its dependence on a third country to aid Chiang.Therefore, Japan must further fully concentrate its political and strategic pressure, strengthen its domestic system, deal with the group of countries that aid Chiang Kai-shek with a firm attitude, and seek a quick end to the war.

In addition, due to the continuous development of the world situation, Japan has also put forward higher requirements for its own status quo.In the words of Japanese Prime Minister Fumma Konoe: "The most urgent task for the empire at present is to quickly get rid of its historical dependence on the United Kingdom and the United States. Based on Japan, Manchuria and Huawei, it is roughly based on the Southeast Asia region east of India and north of Australia and New Zealand. environment, and establish a self-sufficient situation. Today is the opportunity to achieve this goal, and the opportunity will not come again. Especially in consideration of the future US Far East policy and the Soviet Union's national strength after the enrichment of the trend. so."

Originally, all or part of Japan's important strategic materials such as petroleum, rubber, special steel raw materials, bauxite, leather, cotton, wool, hemp, and oil had to be imported from the United States, Britain and its sphere of influence.In addition, the industrial mother machine, which can be called the industrial foundation, actually has to rely on the United States for the most part.At this time, the United States had abolished the Japan-US Commerce and Navigation Treaty and imposed an embargo on machine tools. At the same time, oil and scrap iron were added to the export items that required approval a year ago.After careful consideration, it is believed that as a countermeasure, the top priority should be to import a large amount of major materials in advance.Part of it has already been implemented.Therefore, obtaining southern resources to get rid of economic dependence on the United States and Britain and consolidate the self-sufficiency situation is regarded as an indispensable requirement for self-survival and self-defense.

In the view of the Japanese government, the work of resolving the southern issue through diplomatic means should be put into practice immediately so as to quickly achieve the desired goal.However, it cannot but be estimated that the above-mentioned means may fail to achieve the goal, or that the use of force may be necessary in order to seek a more thorough solution to the southern issue.With regard to the use of force, it is of course necessary to carefully consider the adjustment of relations with the ongoing events in China and various other internal and external situations.

In short, to cope with the changing world situation, Japan must improve the internal and external situation, quickly end the China incident, and seize the opportunity to resolve the southern issue.For this reason, the Japanese military headquarters believes that it is extremely important to strengthen political unity with Germany and Italy and quickly adjust the diplomatic relations between Japan and the Soviet Union; internally, it is extremely important to strengthen the domestic wartime system and promote various preparations such as full combat readiness. A round of diplomatic offensive is about to begin. (to be continued..)