Kuniaki Koiso
Illustration, not an archive object
Prime Minister of Japan · Japan
On the regime page: Empire of Japan, 1937 to 1945
3 quotes, oldest first. Filter with other speakers.
Content note: Praises suicide attacks. The words are shown as they were said or written. Why
“Particularly on the Philippine fronts, which will decide the trend of the war, our Army and Navy Special Attack Units, in carrying out their assaults day and night and giving their precious lives for their Fatherland, are smashing the enemy's plans of advance.”
English: Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission (US monitoring-service translation of the Tokyo broadcast). Original-language text not found.
New Year address to the nation during the Philippines campaign. The "Special Attack Units" referred to are the kamikaze units first used in October 1944.
New Year's address by Premier Koiso, 1 January 1945, English translation by the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission, as published on ibiblio.org (Hyperwar) Source
“As to the outcome of this war, it goes without saying that the nations which lose their fighting spirit will disintegrate and fall, while the countries which fight through to the end with tenacity and vigorous fighting spirit will take hold of the ultimate victory.”
English: Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission (US monitoring-service translation of the Tokyo broadcast). Original-language text not found.
From the same address, in a passage on the course of the world war and the expectation of air raids.
New Year's address by Premier Koiso, 1 January 1945, English translation by the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission, as published on ibiblio.org (Hyperwar) Source
“The enemies, America and Britain, who have been driven from Asiatic soil, have launched an offensive in an attempt to place Asia again under their domination. This is the year for us to sweep away the threatening clouds and restore Greater East Asia to her true position.”
English: Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission (US monitoring-service translation of the Tokyo broadcast). Original-language text not found.
Closing passage of the address, which draws a comparison with the Taika reforms of 645 in the preceding sentences.
New Year's address by Premier Koiso, 1 January 1945, English translation by the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service, Federal Communications Commission, as published on ibiblio.org (Hyperwar) Source
Often attributed, not verified
These words circulate under Kuniaki Koiso’s name but could not be traced to a source. They are listed so readers can check them, not as Kuniaki Koiso’s words.
“independence "sometime in the future"”
The announcement is documented, but the phrases in circulation are summaries. The English text of the declaration was not located in a cited source. Not published.