Hirohito Interviewed

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 5

Hirohito Interviewed

Constitutional Monarchy Favoured Hope of Peace in Reconciliation By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Received 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 24. IN AN INTERVIEW with the Tokio -correspondent of the “New York Times,” Emperor Hirohito declared that he favoured ending the war as an instrument policy and pledged that any social changes in Japan would be made by constitutional means. The Emperor stated that food and housing were Japan’s two paramount problems. Once the people were fed and clothed, he insisted, it would be comparatively easy to carry out needed reforms within Japan which, he was of the opinion, would make for general world peace. Hirohito asserted that he had no intention of having the war rescript employed as General Hideki Tojo used it, when Japan launched the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour. Hirohito had expected Tojo to declare war in the usual formal manner, if necessary. The correspondent had submitted a list of written questions. The Mikado had answers prepared, which were handed to him after he left the audience room. Asked whether Japan’s social and educational system should be changed and for ideas as to the future of Japan, Hirohito expressed himself in favour of a constitutional monarchy like the British. He said it was his earnest desire that the necessary changes should be carried out in line with the general will of the people expressed through constitutional procedure.

The Mikado confidently hoped that Japan in due course would regain what he termed as her rightful place in the community of nations through peaceful contributions toward the enhancement of culture and civilisation. The Emperor expressed gratification that no mishap of importance had marred the occupation of considerable areas of the Japanese homeland. Asked if the latest weapons had not made thoughts of future wars intolerable, he replied that he did not believe

an enduring peace could be established and maintained at the bayonet point, or with a new use of other weapons of war. The solution to the problem of peace would lie in the reconciliation of free peoples, both victor and vanquished, without recourse to armaments. He added that he had no doubt that his people would prove themselves capable of making the necessary changes in order to bring Japan again into the concert of nations and eliminate the possibility of future wars.