THROUGH JAPANESE EYES

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 8

THROUGH JAPANESE EYES

LEADING JOURNALISTS' SYMPOSIUM ATTITUDE TOWARDS BRITAIN AND AMERICA Statements of Japan’s aspirations in Asia and the Pacific, her concept of the post-war world, and the attitude of influential Japanese men toward America and Britain are contained in bulletins of the Pacific Information News Translation Sendee (says the Melbourne ‘Argue’). One bulletin contains the view of prominent Japanese journalists concerning the condition of the nations after the war. Replying to questions at a conference of leading journalists of Japan, at which the entire post-war condition was discussed, Mr Kenichi Abe, assistant editor of the Tokio ‘ Nichi Nichi,’ said: After the war Germany and Italy will reign over Europe. This is almost an established fact. Then they will establish their economic sphere all over Europe, while America, the Soviet Union, and Japan will have their respective economic spheres. This means, in other words, the destruction of the economic spheres lying heretofore Wnder the control of Britain and France. After the establishment of the four economic spheres in the world the Powers stated above will strengthen their economic control on the systems of their foreign trade, banking, industries, and consumption, and the return of the world to the days of free trade will be impossible. I think Germany is already prepared for this kind of economic activity. ...” Mr Kazuo Tsukada expressed this view;. "Of the four economic spheres stated above. America, Germany, and Italy, and Soviet Russia are nearly reaching a state of self-sufficiency. But Japan is lacking in many things. The leading products of Japan are raw silk, rice, and oil and grease. Therefore, she must get hold of the natural resources of qther parts of the Orient. In the first place it is necesary that she add Dutch East Indies to the regions under the Oriental economic sphere.” After a discussion on the desirability of increasing Japan’s economic strength Mr Kenichi Abe said that Japan was in a position to safeguard her national defence with little difficulty. The relations between Japan and the Soviet were not always satisfactory, he said, but they could be adjusted as Japan grew larger in economic strength. Mr Bunroku Yoshioka. chief of the East Asia department of ‘ Nichi Nichi ’ contributed to the discussion the view that “ if the international position of Britain falls lower as the result of the present war, Australia, India, and I French Tndo-China will show themselves more conciliatory toward Japan.” Mr Yoshioka, dealing with the position of America in the present crisis, said; “ The loss of all chance to meddle in the affairs .of Europe will oblige America to redouble her offensive action in the East and the South Seas. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that we dispose of the China incident before the war in Europe is brought to an end, or else America will strengthen her efforts to help the Chungking regime, and it is possible that the Soviet Union and America will stand in our way, forming a joint front. Nor is this all the difficulty. When the war in Europe is ended we must be prepared for some friction with Germany and Italy concerning the disposal of the British, French, and the Netherlands colonies in the East and South Seas. If we do not like to have any friction with Germany and Italy we must follow a course much- clearer than v «t present. . .

NIPPON’S PATH, A discussion on “ the path, that Japan should follow ” had in it much of interest, Mr Kojiro Takasugi (chief of the political department of the Tokio “ Nichi Nichi ”) spoke of two Japanese “ necessities ” —one, to dispose quickly of the China incident; the other to establish firmly Japan’s international position in the world under the New Order, “ wherein Germany and Italy are to occupy most important positions.”

“ In order to secure for us an honourable position after the war,” he said, “ we must quickly establish a new political system here. If Britain gives up her resistance America will be obliged to behave herself in accordance with the new order of the world under the control of Adolf Hitler.” The discussions are reported under date August 14, and Mr Takaishi, chairman of the board of directors of “ Nichi Nichi” and the Osaka ‘ Mainichi,” gave this opinion : “ Candidly speaking, Japan should have a closer connection with both Italy and Germany. lam of opinion that we should conclude a military alliance with those two countries, because, to be candid, they are victors, and it is always advisable for any nation that she should shake hands with powerful nations. Britain, France, Belgium, and Holland have their colonies in the Pacific, which is beyond the reach of the German or Italian influence at present, and it is quite natural that Japan should assist Germany and Italy in disposing of the problems concerning those colonies. “ Speaking more clearly, Japan must establish a perfect agreement with Germany in order to place those regions under Japan’s influence. A perfect understanding with Germany and Italy is indispensable for the smooth working of our national policy in the ' Pacific. America is suspecting the existence of a practical alliance between our country and Germany and Italy. The time has already passed when we should remain inactive, binding ourselves by pur own words that Japan will not interfere in the European war. America knows that her navy has no chance against our powerful navy in the western Pacific.” ORIENT FOR ORIENTALS. An article by Ushio Mumemura, formerly Japanese Consul-General at Hanoi, treats with the extension of “ Japanese economic activities to French Indo-China ” as a matter of urgent necessity. If, he says, it is inadvisable for Japan - to place the country under Japanese control by force of arms, “ we must at least strengthen our position in relation to French IndoCliina by redoubling our economic activities towards that country.” Mr Mumemura deals extensively with the natural wealth of Indo-China, and then speaks of the travail of the poor natives who “ are eagerly awaiting their emancipation from the miserable plight in which they find themselves at present,” and who “ are waiting for the Japanese to come to their aid in elevating their standard of living.” In an article headed “ Japan’s Course is Clearly Shown—We Must Make the Most of the Treasure Houses in the South Seas,” Captain Yoshiaki Otaka, of the Naval Affairs Propagation Department, Imperial Navy Office, remarks that Japan “is practically fight-

ing with Britain through China,” and in his review of the treasure houses of French Indo-China and the Netherlands East Indies, he states that now “ both Holland and France have been practically defeated in the present European war, Britain and America must be doing something in order to place the regions under their influence. So far, however, no such attempt has been made by any foreign Powers; only because they are afraid of the powerful Japanese navy.” _ _ . He concludes on this note of Oriental autarchy: “The treasure depots in the Orient are undoubtedly intended for th» use of the Oriental nations. If Britain and America stand in our way we must remove them from our path, otherwise the fate of the Asiatic nations will ba sealed for ever.”