JAPANESE FOREIGN POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 180, 2 August 1940, Page 5

JAPANESE FOREIGN POLICY

“GREAT EAST ASIAN CHAIN OF PROSPERITY” MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT MILD COMPARED WITH FORECAST (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Ke«-iie.l Aug. I. 5.45 p.m. TOKIO, July 31. The Japanese Foreign. .Minister. Mi. .Matsuoka. is scheduled tn announce Japan's foreign policy this afternoon after Prince Xonoye's statement on basic national policies. The Asahi Shimbiin’s forecast of Mr. .Matsuoka's key points (1) Japan will take a strong stand against countries siding with Chungking and interfering with the construction of the new order in East Asia, and will make more intimate her relations with countries co-operating in such const ruction (2) Japan will establish a new "East Asiatic zone which will not be confined to the Continent, but will include Indo-China and other South Seas areas closely related to Japan economically, culturally, racially and geographically. A later message states that .Mr. Matsuoka. in his statement, said the immediate aim of Japan's foreign policy was to establish “a great East Asian chain of common prosperity with the Japan-Manehukuo-China group as one of,the links.” He said that Japan was resolved to surmount all obstacles, material and spiritual. He did not mention the axis, democracies. East Indies or South Sea'. "In concert with those friendly Powers which are prepared to co-operate with us. we should strive with courage and determination for the fulfilment of the ideal and heavenordained mission of our country —enabling all nations and races to find eaeh its proper peace in the world.” he said. The foreign Minister said that Japan would swiftly establish “an unshakable national structure of her own adapted to meet the requirements of new developments, both at home and abroad." In this connection, he said: "The world stands at a gr«al historic turning point, it is about to witness the creation of a new tor government, economy and culture based on the growth of the development of sundry groups of States. Japan, too. is confronted by a great trial sueli as she has never experienced in history. In order to carry out fully at this juncture our national policy in accordance with the lofty spirit on which the country is founded, it is an important task of urgent necessity that we should grasp the inevitable trends in the development of world history ami effect speedily fundamenntal renovations tn all lines of government, ami strive for the perfection of the ■State structures for national defence. '' The statement said: "The foreign policy, which aims ultimately at the construction of the new order in Greater East Asia, will be directed primarily toward the complete settlement of the China affair, ami the advancement of the national fortune by taking a Jar-sighted view of the drastic changes in the international Situation, and formulating constructive ami flexible measures. ft stresses under internal administration the necessity firstly for a complete renovation of education, secondly, the establishment of a new national structure, thirdly, the renovation of the Diet to adapt it to such a structure, fourthly, reform of buream-racy. fifthly, laying the foundation of national defence and economy based on the Japan-Manehukuo-China bloc with Japan as the centre, sixthly, the renovation of foreign trade, seventhly, the expansion of the heavv, chemical and machine imlusfries.