JAPAN’S POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 209, 2 August 1940, Page 7

JAPAN’S POLICY

NEW ORDER IN EAST. EXPANSION IN SOUTH. (United Pres 3 Association —By Electric Telegraoh—Copyright.) TOKIO, Aug. 1. Japan has announced tlie construction of a “new order in Greater East. Asia,” having for its foundation the solidarity of Japan, Manchukuo and China as the basic-aim of Japan’s foreign policy.. 5

The statement said the policy for its fulfilment will be swiftly to establish “an unshakeable national structure of her own, adapted to meet the requirements of the new developments, both at home and abroad.” In this connection the “world stands at a great historic turning point. Jt is about to witness the creation of new forms of government, economy, and culture based on the growth and development of sundry groups in history. In order to carry out fully at this juncture our national policy in accordance with the lofty spirit, on which the country was founded, it is an important task of urgent necessity that we should grasp the- inevitable trends in the developments of world history and effect speedily fundamental renovations in all lines of government and strive for the perfection of the State and in the structure for national defence.” INTERNAL REFORMS.

The statement added: ‘‘The foreign policy, which aims ultimately at the construction of a new order m Greater East Asia, will be directed primarily towards the complete settlement ol the China affair anu the advancement of our national fortune by taking a farsighted view of the drastic changes in the international situation and lormuiating constructive, flexible measures.”

it stresses under the heading of internal administration the necessity of firstly, the complete renovation of education ; secondly, the establishment of a new national structure; thirdly, the renovation of the Diet to adapt such a structure; fourthly, reiorm ol the bureaucracy; fifthly, laying the foundation of a national detence economy bused on a Japail-Manchukun-Cliina bloc, with Japan as the centre; sixthly, the renovation of foreign trade; seventhly, the expansion of the heavy, chemical and machine industries, etc. Mr Chuiehi Oliashi, a former Counsellor of the Manchukuo Government, has accepted the post of Vice-Foreign Minister. “CHAIN Ob' PROSPERITY.’' The Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka), in a statement announcing Japan’s policy, said that the immediate aim of the foreign policy was to establish “a great East Asian chain of common prosperity, with the JapaiiManchukuo China group as one of its links.” Japan was resolved to surmount all obstacles, material and spiritual. Mr Matsuoka did not mention the Axis, the Democracies, the East Indies, or the South Seas. “In concert with those friendly Powers which are prepared to co-operate with us, we should strive with courage and determination for fulfilment of the ideal and the heaven-ordained mission of our country—enabling all nations and races to ' find each its proper place in the world.” NON-INVOLVEMENT IN AVAR. After his formal statement, Mr Matsuoka said Japan would make positive efforts to make whatever friends were possible in the prevailing environment, but she “will not make vain efforts to grasp the hands of those countries which cannot be turned into frienils. Japan is through with toadyism.” He declined to comment on European affairs except to say that Japan at present would adhere to her noninvolvement policy. He explained that there was no change in the China affair, the disposal of which was at present Japan’s most urgent need. However, Japan’s final ' aim was the the “establishment of a stability zone embracing Japan, Manchukuo, and China, also French Indo-China, and the Netherlands East Indies. “I am not in a position to say anything more in regard to our foreign policy because the time is not ripe, but when the times comes everything will be published plainly,” he said. The Prime Minister (Priuce Konoyc), in a simultaneous Government statement, said: “The Government will consolidate national defence and effect a positive revision of its foreign policy, while domestically it intends to establish a powerful political organisation.” He reiterated that complete agreement was reached at yesterday’s liaison meeting among the Army, Navy and Cabinet.