In one line: From 1937 to 1945 the Empire of Japan, a constitutional monarchy under Emperor Hirohito in which the cabinet, Army and Navy shared power, fought a full-scale war in China and, from December 1941, a war against the United States, Britain and the Netherlands, ruled occupied territory across East and Southeast Asia, and ran a state information system that controlled the press, broadcasting and film until the surrender of 15 August 1945.
The leader and the people under the leader
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa)
Emperor of Japan · 1926 to 1989
Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa): Read more
Head of state under the 1889 Constitution, which gave the Emperor sovereignty and the supreme command of the Army and Navy; he attended the Imperial Conferences that formally approved decisions on war, was not prosecuted after 1945, and reigned until 1989.
In their words
“To enhance justice on earth and make of the world one household is the great injunction, bequeathed by our [Imperial] Ancestors and which we lay to heart day and night. In the stupendous crisis now confronting the world, it appears that endless will be the aggravation of war and confusion, and incalculable the disasters to be inflicted upon mankind. We fervently hope that the cessation of the disturbances and the restoration of peace will be realized as swiftly as possible.”
“We hereby declare war on the United States of America and the British Empire. The men and officers of Our army and navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war, Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their appointed tasks, and all other subjects of Ours shall pursue their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of our war aims.”
“This trend of affairs would, if left unchecked, not only nullify Our Empire's efforts of many years for the sake of the stabilization of East Asia, but also endanger the very existence of Our nation. The situation being such as it is, Our Empire for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.”
All 12 quotes from Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa), and 4 often attributed but not verified
Prime ministers and cabinet
Photo: Cabinet Information Division (内閣情報部), Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Fumimaro Konoe
Prime Minister · 1937 to 1939 and 1940 to 1941
Fumimaro Konoe: Read more
Headed three cabinets (June 1937 to January 1939, July 1940 to October 1941); the war with China began and the National General Mobilization Law passed under the first, and the Tripartite Pact and the Imperial Rule Assistance Association under the second.
In their words
“It is China's cooperation and not conquest that Japan sincerely desires. Japan desires to build up a stabilized Far East by cooperating with the Chinese people who have awakened to the need of self-determination as an Oriental race.”
“If the true object of Japan in conducting the present vast military campaign be fully understood, it will be plain that what she seeks is neither territory nor indemnity for the costs of military operations. Japan demands only the minimum guarantee needed for the execution by China of her function as a participant in the establishment of the new order.”
“In sending troops to North China, of course, the Government has no other purpose, as was explained in its recent statement, than to preserve the peace of East Asia. I cannot but hope most fervently that reconsideration and self-discipline on the part of the Government and people of China will make speedily possible a fundamental adjustment of Sino-Japanese relations.”
“As the nation is aware, the Chiang regime is the Government which has dared to destroy the Yellow river embankments and does not care about sacrificing thereby in the muddy flood the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent fellow-nationals. Such an outrageous and cruel act will never be permitted by man or Heaven. There is no reason why such a Government should last.”
“Once war is begun, even if the actual battlefield may be across the sea, the nation must have the tense feeling that all its land at home is also a battlefield. Not only those who carry guns and bayonets, but also those who till the soil, spin yarn, strike their hammers, or work at their desks—young and old, men and women, in fact, all the nation—must have the realization that they are actual fighters.”
All 9 quotes from Fumimaro Konoe, and 1 often attributed but not verified
In the archive: Imperial Japan's wartime propaganda at home: the Information Bureau, the neighbourhood associations and the war communiqués
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Hideki Tōjō
Prime Minister and Army Minister · 1941 to 1944
Hideki Tōjō: Read more
Prime minister from 18 October 1941 to 22 July 1944 while also army minister, and from February 1944 chief of the Army General Staff; sentenced to death by the Tokyo tribunal and hanged on 23 December 1948.
In their words
“America and Britain are undergoing a continuous change due to defeats suffered in this war and are carrying out vicious propaganda by constantly accusing our country of brutal acts.”
“However, in order to establish a structure of a united people literally, the Imperial Rule Assistance Association was formed and was followed by the organization of the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Society.”
“The primary requisite of public service behind the home front is truly the support given by the people to the men and officers of the Imperial army, and the spirit of the people behind the home front must be equivalent to the spirit of the armed forces carrying out military operations and overwhelming the enemy.”
“If alive, do not suffer the disgrace of becoming a prisoner; in death, do not leave behind a name soiled by misdeeds.”
“Australia has become the orphan of the Pacific Ocean. Especially only recently in the Coral Sea battle carried out on the northern tip of Australia the American and British sea power has been crushed, and now there is no one before us to defend Australia.”
“As long as there remains British and American military facilities in India, Japan is strongly determined to completely destroy them. As a result, it is truly unavoidable that the people of India are exposed to such a misfortune. At this time the people should be inspired with courage and destroy, wipe out the British and American forces.”
All 9 quotes from Hideki Tōjō, and 3 often attributed but not verified
In the archive: 'Asia for the Asiatics': Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere and the movements that used it
Photo: Kyodo News, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Kuniaki Koiso
Prime Minister · 1944 to 1945
Kuniaki Koiso: Read more
Formed a cabinet on 22 July 1944 after the fall of Saipan, announced on 7 September 1944 that independence would be granted to the East Indies at a future date, and resigned on 7 April 1945; earlier Governor-General of Korea, 1942 to 1944.
In their words
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
All 3 quotes from Kuniaki Koiso, and 1 often attributed but not verified
In the archive: Imperial Japan's wartime propaganda at home: the Information Bureau, the neighbourhood associations and the war communiqués
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Kantarō Suzuki
Prime Minister · 1945
Kantarō Suzuki: Read more
Retired admiral and former Grand Chamberlain who led the cabinet from 7 April to 17 August 1945, which received the Allied Potsdam Declaration and accepted its terms after Imperial Conferences on 9 to 10 August and 14 August.
In their words
“From the very beginning the Greater East Asia war has clearly been a holy war. This has clearly been stated in the imperial rescript. The tyrannical attitude adopted by the United States and Britain at that time, as well as their evil designs, jeopardized the existence and safety of our empire.”
“In this present war, various participating nations have cleverly declared their reasons for becoming involved in the conflict, but in the final analysis the war was brought about by jealousy, which is the lowest of human emotions.”
“I hear that the enemy is boasting of his demand for unconditional surrender of Japan. Unconditional surrender means that our national structure and our people will be destroyed. Against such boastful talk there is only one measure we must take, to fight to the last.”
All 5 quotes from Kantarō Suzuki, and 1 often attributed but not verified
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Yōsuke Matsuoka
Foreign Minister · 1940 to 1941
Yōsuke Matsuoka: Read more
Foreign minister from 22 July 1940 to 16 July 1941, who announced the term "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" on 1 August 1940 and signed the Tripartite Pact (27 September 1940) and the Neutrality Pact with the Soviet Union (13 April 1941); died on 27 June 1946 during the Tokyo trial.
In their words
“Humanity crucified Jesus of Nazareth two thousand years ago. And to-day? Can any of you assure me that the so-called world opinion can make no mistake ? We Japanese feel that we are now put on trial. Some of the people in Europe and America may wish even to crucify Japan in the twentieth century. Gentlemen, Japan stands ready to be crucified! But we do believe, and firmly believe, that, in a very few years, world opinion will be changed and that we also shall be understood by the world as Jesus of Nazareth was.”
“The United States has evinced no adequate understanding of the fact that the establishment of a sphere of common prosperity throughout greater East Asia is truly a matter of vital concern to Japan. She apparently entertains an idea that her own first line of national defence lies along the mid-Atlantic to the East, but westward not only along the eastern Pacific-but even as far as China and the South Seas. If the United States assumes such an attitude, it would be, to say the least, a very one-sided contention on her part, to cast reflections on our superiority in the Western Pacific, by suggesting that it betokens ambitious designs. I, for one, believe that such a position assumed on the part of the United States would not be calculated to contribute toward the promotion of world peace. Speaking frankly, I should extremely regret such an attitude of the United States for the sake of Japanese-American friendship, for the sake of peace in the Pacific and, also, for the sake of the peace of the world in general.”
“In this connection, Matsuoka pointed out, that he was doing everything to reassure the English about Singapore. He acted as if Japan had no intention at all regarding this key position of England in the East. Therefore it might be possible, that his attitude toward the British would appear to be friendly in words and in acts. However, Germany should not be deceived by that. He assumed this attitude not only in order to reassure the British, but also in order to fool the pro-British and pro-American elements so long, until one day he would suddenly open the attack on Singapore.”
All 4 quotes from Yosuke Matsuoka, and 1 often attributed but not verified
In the archive: 'Asia for the Asiatics': Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere and the movements that used it
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Shigenori Tōgō
Foreign Minister · 1941 to 1942 and 1945
Shigenori Tōgō: Read more
Foreign minister in the Tōjō cabinet from 18 October 1941 until he resigned on 1 September 1942 over the creation of the Greater East Asia Ministry, and again from 7 April to 17 August 1945; sentenced to 20 years by the Tokyo tribunal.
In their words
“It is extremely deplorable, however, that malicious propaganda should be let loose by some third powers representing Japan as harboring aggressive designs toward those regions. I have not the slightest doubt that the peoples of East Asia, understanding the real intentions of Japan, will cooperate with our country for the establishment of a new order in East Asia.”
“Should an occasion arise such as might menace the very existence of the empire or compromise the prestige of Japan as a great power, it goes without saying that Japan must face it with a firm and resolute attitude. For my part, I am taking charge of negotiations with a firm resolve regarding this point.”
“It is awfully hard for us to consider changing the date we set in my #736. You should know this, however, I know you are working hard. Stick to our fixed policy and do your very best. Spare no efforts and try to bring about the solution we desire. There are reasons beyond your ability to guess why we wanted to settle Japanese-American relations by the 25th, but if within the next three or four days you can finish your conversations with the Americans; if the signing can be completed by the 29th, (let me write it out for you — twenty ninth); if the pertinent notes can be exchanged; if we can get an understanding with Great Britain and the Netherlands; and in short if everything can be finished, we have decided to wait until that date. This time we mean it, that the deadline absolutely cannot be changed. After that things are automatically going to happen. Please take this into your careful consideration and work harder than you ever have before.”
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Kōichi Kido
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal · 1940 to 1945
Kōichi Kido: Read more
Imperial Household official who advised the Emperor from June 1940 to November 1945, including on the choice of prime ministers; his diary was used as evidence at the Tokyo trial, which sentenced him to life imprisonment.
In their words
“War Minister TOJO visited me after his retirement from the presence of the Emperor to report on the result of his investigation into the preparation of war against the U.S.A.”
“I asserted that the most important things were the revision of the decision of the last council in the Imperial presence and the unity of opinion between the Army and the Navy. I offered the TOJO cabinet as a solution of these problems.”
“I delivered to them in an ante-room the Imperial wish as follows: Deep consideration and careful attitude and freedom from the decision of the council on the 6th of September were things wished for in the establishment of the fundamental policy of this country.”
Army and Navy
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto; PD-Poland) Hajime Sugiyama
Chief of the Army General Staff · 1940 to 1944
Hajime Sugiyama: Read more
Army chief of staff from 3 October 1940 to 21 February 1944 and army minister in 1937 to 1938 and again in 1944 to 1945; presented Army plans at Imperial Conferences and killed himself on 12 September 1945.
In their words
“Is evidenced by the previous explanation delivered by Premier Konoye and in view of the present urgent situation, especially of the gradual decrease in the potentiality of our national strength, it is my firm conviction that the time has come for the Empire to decide on peace or war.”
“If we should play into the hands of the United States and Great Britain by being driven into the prolonging of diplomatic negotiations at a time when the situation is urgent, the potentiality of the Empire's national defense strength would gradually decrease while at the same time the armament of the United States, and Britain would gradually increase. Such a situation would make our military operations more difficult and place us in a position where we would be forced to lose the advantage of surmounting the obstacles created by the United States and Britain. Therefore, we must open hostilities against the United States and Britain while we have confidence in waging war against them.”
“In conclusion, I want to emphasize that if the situation should result in a war in the south, the Empire should immediately disclose her intention to Germany and Italy and tighten the agreement with those two countries so that Japan, Germany and Italy can cooperate closely to achieve the common objectives of the war. The most important item in the direction of war is to prevent Germany and Italy from concluding a separate peace with the United States and Britain.”
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Osami Nagano
Chief of the Navy General Staff · 1941 to 1944
Osami Nagano: Read more
Navy chief of staff from 9 April 1941 to 21 February 1944, who took part in the Liaison and Imperial Conferences that decided on war in 1941; died on 5 January 1947 during the Tokyo trial.
In their words
“However, even when the Empire gains a victory in this decisive battle, such a victory alone would not end the war. In all probability, the opponent will then switch to a prolonged war based on the strength of his superiority in industrial power and resources. Our Empire has not means by which to subjugate the enemy by invasion operations or to break his will to fight. Moreover, a long war is what we least desire because of the meagerness of our domestic resources.”
“By the latter half of next year, military preparations of the United States will have made such rapid strides that we will find it difficult to oppose them. Therefore, wasting time now can prove disastrous for the Empire.”
“We must avoid any war which can be avoided. But at the same time, for the future interest of our Empire we must not be forced into a position where we would have to fight under extremely disadvantageous conditions.”
Photo: Ministry of the Navy (海軍省), Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Isoroku Yamamoto
Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet · 1939 to 1943
Isoroku Yamamoto: Read more
Commanded the Combined Fleet from 30 August 1939 and planned the attacks on Pearl Harbor and Midway; killed on 18 April 1943 when U.S. fighters shot down his aircraft, with the death announced on 21 May and a state funeral held on 5 June 1943.
In their words
“If I am told to fight regardless of the consequences, I shall run wild considerably for the first six months or a year, but I have utterly no confidence for the second and third years.”
“1. In the east the United States Fleet will be destroyed and United States lines of operation and supply lines extending toward the Far East will be cut. 2. In the west, British Malaya will be invaded and the Burma route, British lines of operations and supply lines extending toward the east will be cut. 3. The enemy forces in the Orient will be destroyed and enemy bases of operations and areas rich in natural resources will be captured. 4. A structure for sustained warfare will be established by capturing and exploiting strategic points and by strengthening defense. 5. The enemy forces will be intercepted and crushed. 6. Battle successes will be exploited, thereby destroying the morale of the enemy.”
“The Task Force will move out from HITOKAPPU-WAN and proceed to the HAWAII area, maintaining the greatest secrecy as to its movements and a close watch against submarine or air attacks. At the opening of hostilities the Task Force will attack the main strength of the UNITED STATES Fleet in the HAWAII area and inflict crippling damage on it.”
All 4 quotes from Isoroku Yamamoto, and 2 often attributed but not verified
Information and propaganda
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto; PD-Poland) Nobufumi Itō
President of the Cabinet Information Bureau · 1940 to 1941
Nobufumi Itō: Read more
First president of the Cabinet Information Bureau, from its creation on 6 December 1940 until 18 October 1941; a career diplomat.
In their words
“The Imperial Diet functions as before despite the new national structure, President Nobufumi Ito of the Cabinet Information Board said in his first interview with foreign correspondents. The difference between the new structure in Japan and the political structures of Germany and Italy lies in the fundamental conception of the State, he said.”
All 1 quote from Nobufumi Ito, and 1 often attributed but not verified
No dated, clearly licensed portrait found. Nearest: source, tagged PD-Japan-oldphoto but sourced to a 1956 book with no date for the photograph. Taketora Ogata
President of the Cabinet Information Bureau · 1944 to 1945
Taketora Ogata: Read more
Minister of State and president of the Cabinet Information Bureau in the Koiso cabinet from 22 July 1944 to 7 April 1945, and again from 17 August to 13 September 1945; formerly a newspaper editor.
In their words
All 0 quotes from Taketora Ogata, and 2 often attributed but not verified
Photo: Unknown, Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Hiroshi Shimomura
President of the Cabinet Information Bureau · 1945
Hiroshi Shimomura: Read more
Minister of State and president of the Cabinet Information Bureau from 7 April to 17 August 1945, the office that handled the broadcast of the Emperor's rescript of 15 August; earlier an official in the colonial government of Taiwan.
In their words
“Following the Prime Minister’s explanation, both of the Chiefs and the Army Minister, standing up one by one, made an impassioned plea in tears, insisting that we should qualify our acceptance out of fear that the plan as it is now might endanger our goal of preserving our national polity. Here I do not bother to detail it. Hearing this sort of opinion, I remembered the words “Koudou” (The Emperor’s Way) and “Shindou” (The Loyalists’ Way) which Prime Minister Suzuki always mentioned. “The loyalists deserve death should their Highness be disgraced,” according to an ancient saying. No other words can express more correctly the feeling of the generals today than this word. Surely they deserve death. They have already dedicated themselves to His Majesty. But as the situation goes, His Majesty will be disgraced. Our national polity might be put in danger. Although I sympathized with their willingness out of their pride as military officers to search for a faint hope in another battle, I cannot but wonder if there would be any way out of the situation even without atomic bombs or the Soviet entry. Nowadays our problem gets much worse than simply seeing our Emperor disgraced. It is much and much worse than that. We are leading our homeland, our people, and even Japan itself to total destruction. In this time of losing everything, we should weigh the Emperor’s Way caring for Japan and its 80 million people more than the Loyalists’ Way.”
“While listening to his holy words, from every corner of the room the sound of sobs prevailed. Every single word he uttered was impressive. As he pronounced his determination to save the nation even at the expense of his own life and loudly wondered how we can honor the spirits of our ancestors if our homeland is burned to ashes and our people are lost in the blazing fire of war, the sound of our sobs became louder. Furthermore, when he said he would do anything and stand in front of the microphone if necessary, I could not suppress my sobs and tears, loudly crying despite being in a public place.”
“Now against the peace talk sprouted all sorts of argument, throwing all the corners of the nation into chaos. Some hardliners, in collaboration with right-wingers, ultra-nationalists and middle-ranking military officers, were beginning to stir about restlessly.”
Colonial and occupation administration
Photo: Philippine Dispatch Army Press Department (比島派遣軍報道部), Public domain (PD-Japan-oldphoto) Masaharu Homma
Commander of the Fourteenth Army (Philippines) · 1941 to 1943
Masaharu Homma: Read more
Led the Fourteenth Army in the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941 and headed the first military administration there; Bataan surrendered on 9 April 1942, he was retired in August 1943, and a U.S. military commission in Manila convicted him in February 1946 and he was shot on 3 April 1946.
In their words
“(2) The purpose of the Japanese expedition is nothing but emancipating you from the oppressive domination of the U. S. A., letting you to establish "the Philippines for the Filipinos" as a member of the Co-Prosperity Sphere in the Greater East Asia and making you enjoy your own prosperity and culture.”
“(5) The Army recognizes the freedom of your religion and residence and has a regard for your usual customs, so far as the Military Administration permits. Accordingly, all the people in the Commonwealth are requested to comprehend the real intentions of the Army and never be deceived by propagandas of the U. S. A. and Great Britain, and you should never disturb public peace in any way, warning yourselves against rushness and refraining from spreading fabulous, wild rumors. Their actions shall be regarded as hostile operations and offenders shall be severely punished, the gravest among them shall be put to death, according to martial law.”
All 2 quotes from Masaharu Homma, and 1 often attributed but not verified
Photo: Not recorded, Public domain (PD-USGov, as tagged on Commons) Hitoshi Imamura
Commander of the Sixteenth Army (Java) · 1941 to 1942
Hitoshi Imamura: Read more
Commanded the Sixteenth Army, which invaded Java on 1 March 1942 and governed it, then the Eighth Area Army at Rabaul; convicted by an Australian military court in 1947, sentenced to ten years and released in 1954.
In their words
“Among the acts committed by my subordinates there are some which are clearly against humanity or a breach of International Law, and I deeply regret it and feel my responsibility, but I consider the nature of these acts as follows:”
“I, as the General Officer Commanding the 8th Army Group, hold the highest responsibility for the control of my subordinates. 2. However, to my charge that the acts for which my subordinates have been charged with war crimes were because I unlawfully disregarded my duties to control the conduct of my subordinates whereby these resulted, I deny it on the following grounds. (a) I have never ordered or intimated my subordinates to do things which would be against humanity or to violate International Law, nor was there any occasion when I overlooked these things although I knew they were occurring.”
“Although you reach the final stage, unless labourers take hostile actions or attempt to desert, treat them as co-operators until the last.”
In the archive: 'Asia for the Asiatics': Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere and the movements that used it
.jpg){kind=link}
