JAPAN’S SOUTHWARD ASPIRATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 4 August 1941, Page 5

JAPAN’S SOUTHWARD ASPIRATIONS

“Japan is required to carry out her southward advance in order to se- ! cure the supply of various necessities, even aside from any other considerations. That we place ourselves in position to make use of all products of the ! South Sea islands is absolutely necessary in order to strengthen our nn- ' tional defence as well as our political j and economic structures. | “The population of Japan is growing by about 1,000,000 each year, yet! ; it is impossible for us to feed 70,00*0,-’ 000 by means of our domestic production, no matter, which principle we follow, whether it be capitalism, or totalitarianism. i “The southward advance is indisi pensable. ... In the past we thought i we could settle supply needs simply through the maintenance of economic ! co-operation with China, but we have .discovered that China cannot feed even her own people. . . . The South Sea islands are thinly populated, so j China may emigrate some of her people to those islands to her considerable economic relief. “China is not Japan’s real enemy jin the present incident. In reality| j Japan is fighting with Britain and j America under disguise [sic] Especially America is not in a position to recognise the common pros-! j perity sphere of Greater East Asia.! for in the prosperity sphere she can- \ 'not milk other nations. When Europe! and Asia are placed under a new j order America will be unable to i maintain her capitalism.”—(Toshio Shiratori, adviser to the Ministry of ' Foreign Affairs at Tokio, writing in inn article translated for the “Japan News-Week,” published in that city Jon 14th June).