“GREATER EAST ASIA.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 210, 3 August 1940, Page 7

“GREATER EAST ASIA.”

JAPAN’S INTERPRETATION.

VAGUE REFERENCE. TOivIO, A U S- -■ The spokesman of the Foreign Office (Mr Y T . Suma), when questioned regarding the meaning of a “greater East Asia” in the Foreign Minister’s statement yesterday of Japan’s national policy, replied :“I can definitely say it includes the South Seas areas. However, concerning an enumeration of the districts to be included in that expression I cannot say at present.” Asked if the Philippine Islands were included in the “South Seas,” Mr Suma replied: “I must postpone an enumeration of the areas till a later date.” Further questioned, he replied: “Tho Dutch East Indies do riot comprise all the South Seas areas. There are other regions.” The vernacular Press conjectures that tho former Ambassador to Italy (Mr Shiratori) may be appointed to the post of assistant to Mr Matsuoka (Foreign Minister.)

The statement of the foreign policy of the new Government, which was issued from Tolcio on Thursday! stated that the immediate aim was to establish “a great East Asian chain of common prosperity, with the Japan-jUanchukuo-China group a* one of its links.*’ Japan’s final aim was “the establishment of a stability zone embracing Japan, IWanchukuo, China and also French Indo-China, and the Notherland* East Indies.