It was under the influence of this thinking that on April 28, 1940, the Japanese government discussed and adopted the "Basic National Policy Outline" at a cabinet meeting.

The Japanese Government believes that at present the world is facing a major historical turning point, mainly based on the formation and development of several groups of countries, and is forming a new political, economic, and cultural situation, and at the same time, it is also a new round of carving up the world circles.

As the largest power in Asia, the Japanese government is also facing the biggest test in history. Under such circumstances, if Japan wanted to truly follow the spirit of Zhaoguo and accomplish the Warring States goals set by Japan during the Meiji Emperor, it was necessary for Japan to grasp the inevitable trend of the historical development of the world and to quickly and fundamentally refresh all aspects of the government, and to overcome all difficulties.

According to the stipulations of the "Outline of Basic National Policy," the fundamental policy of the Japanese Government in its future administration is: "The state of the Imperial Kingdom is based on the spirit of the Eight Pillars and One Universe, and the establishment of peace in the world is the foundation." First of all, with the imperial state as the core, we will build a new order in Greater East Asia based on the strong unity of Japan, Manchuria, and China. To this end, the Imperial State itself must quickly establish a solid national posture that can adapt to the new situation, and devote all its efforts to the realization of these national affairs. ”

The policy of national defense and foreign affairs is as follows: "In view of the new situation inside and outside the Imperial Empire, we will build up armaments sufficient for the national state on the basis of the development of a national defense system that is capable of the overall strength of the country." The current diplomacy of the Imperial State is based on the construction of a new order in Greater East Asia. First of all, we will focus on ending the China incident and take a comprehensive look at the changes in the international situation. A constructive and flexible strategy was required to advance the fortunes of the Imperial State. ”

With regard to the renewal of the domestic system, the "Outline of Basic State Policy" also has a new provision: "The most urgent task in China's internal affairs lies in reforming various government affairs in accordance with the original meaning of the national system and establishing the foundation of the national defense system." To this end, we are determined to achieve the following: 1. To reform education, implement the original meaning of the national system, and at the same time eliminate the idea of personal utilitarianism, and establish a national morality in which the concept of serving the country is the first meaning. and revitalize the scientific spirit. 2. Establish a strong new political system. In order to seek the comprehensive unification of national politics. 3. Establish the foundation of the national defense economy based on the independent construction of the economies of Japan, Manchuria, and China, with the Imperial Kingdom as the center. 4. We will ensure that the driving force behind the implementation of the national system will be to formulate permanent policies to improve the physical fitness of the people and increase the population. In particular, it is necessary to formulate a fundamental policy for the stable development of agriculture. 5. Resolutely correct the imbalance in the burden on the people that has arisen as a result of the implementation of national policies. Implement various welfare measures. At the same time, we will innovate the way of life of the people and ensure a simple and robust standard of living that can adapt to the hardships of the past ten years. ”

Under the guidance of the Outline of Basic State Policies. In order to adapt to the evolution of the situation in the world of the world, the day after the "Outline of Basic National Policies" was formulated, the Japanese Emperor Hirohito convened a joint meeting of the headquarters and the government in the palace and formulated the "Outline for Handling the Current Situation in Response to the Evolution of the Situation in the World and the World."

The main policy of the "Outline for Handling the Current Situation in Response to the Evolution of the Situation in the World Realm" is: "In order to cope with the changes in the situation in the world and the world, improve the internal and external situation, promote the speedy end of the Chinese incident, and at the same time, seize the opportunity to solve the southern problem." In the absence of an end to the China Incident, the decision to change the system with a focus on the policy toward the south was made after taking into account the internal and external situation in an all-round way. Efforts have been made to facilitate the preparations for the treatment of the above two items. ”

The specific work essentials are: "To deal with the China incident, we should try to concentrate the comprehensive strength of political strategy and strategy, and in particular, we should do everything possible to cut off the aid of a third country to Chiang, and quickly force the Chongqing regime to submit." With regard to the policy toward the south, we will make every effort to take advantage of the changes in the situation and seize the opportunity to push forward it. ”

With regard to foreign policy, while promoting the handling of the Chinese incident, the following items are generally taken as the criterion for the goal of resolving the southern issue: "1. Focusing on the policy toward Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union, it is especially necessary to rapidly strengthen political unity with Germany and Italy, and vigorously readjust relations with the Soviet Union. ”

"Second, maintain a fair proposition and a rigorous attitude toward the United States. While it is not unavoidable that the requisite deterioration of relations will inevitably arise as a result of the necessary measures being taken by the Empire, we should always keep an eye on its movements and take a policy to avoid increasing friction on our own initiative. ”

"3. To endeavour to completely cut off aid to Chiang in French Indochina and Hong Kong, and at the same time to compel him promptly to agree to the passage of our army's supply forces and the use of airfields, etc., and to obtain the necessary resources of the Empire. Depending on the situation, the use of force may be considered. With regard to Hong Kong, in coordination with the complete severance of the Burmese Highway to aid Chiang, we will vigorously push forward all aspects of work, first of all, and quickly eradicate the hostile forces. With regard to the concession, he first sought to eliminate the hostile forces and withdraw the armies of the belligerents, and at the same time, to induce the Chinese side to gradually recover it. ”

"Fourth, with regard to the Dutch East Indies, make use of diplomatic measures for the time being, and strive to secure their vital resources."

"5. In view of the importance of national defense, the former German and French islands in the South Pacific should be taken diplomatic measures as far as possible to bring them into our possession."

"Sixth, with regard to the other countries of the South, we should try to adopt friendly measures to make them cooperate with us."

The "Outline for Handling the Current Situation in Suit the Evolution of the Situation in the World and the World" also specifically mentions the use of force against Southeast Asia, mentioning at the end of the "Outline": "The following items should be used as criteria for the exercise of force against the South: 1. When the China incident is generally handled, in order to resolve the South issue, as long as the internal and external situation permits, seize the opportunity to use force." 2. While the Chinese incident has not yet been dealt with, countermeasures should be taken to the extent that there will be no war with a third country, but once the internal and external situation develops in our favour, force may be used in order to resolve the southern issue. 3. The period, scope, and method of the first two exercises of force shall be decided on the basis of the circumstances. 4. In the exercise of force, every effort should be made to confine the adversary of war to Great Britain. However, even on such occasions, war against the United States will be inevitable, so it is necessary to be fully prepared. ”

In order to implement the "Outline" to the greatest extent, the Japanese Government has also specially formulated an implementation plan, which can be roughly divided into four aspects: 1. Implement strong politics. 2. Extensively mobilize the General Mobilization Law. 3. Establish a wartime economic system. Fourth, stockpiling war materials and expanding ships.

The "Outline for Handling the Current Situation in Accordance with the Evolution of the World Situation" will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on Japan's future, and it is the Japanese military department, especially the Japanese Army, that has prompted the decision on this outline. Such a major national policy was hastily decided by simply convening a joint meeting without full discussion.

However, when you think about it, Japan has no choice but to put forward this seemingly crazy "Outline for Handling the Current Situation to Adapt to the Evolution of the World Situation." It has been three years since the Sino-Japanese War, and although the Chiang regime has reached the end of its rope, it has not yet given up the war of resistance. In the case of war in Europe, the old forces are succumbing to the power of the emerging bloc, and the only remnant is Britain, and the situation will evolve dramatically to be predictable.

The reason why China's anti-Japanese regime had not yet given up the War of Resistance was to a large extent due to its underestimation of Japan's national strength and its dependence on a third country for aid to Chiang. Therefore, in this regard, Japan must further concentrate its political and strategic pressure in an all-round way, strengthen its domestic system, and take a resolute attitude against the group of countries that came to Chiang's aid, so as to seek a speedy end to the war, even if it is "forced" to engage in a protracted war.

In addition, due to the continuous development of the situation in the world, Japan has also put forward higher requirements for its own current situation. In the words of Japanese Prime Minister Fumima Konoe: "The immediate task of the empire at present is to quickly break away from its historical dependence on Britain and the United States, and to establish a posture of self-sufficiency based on Japan, Manchuria, and China, with the South Seas region east of India and north of Australia and New Zealand." Today is the opportunity to do just that, and the time is not too late. This is especially true in view of the future future development of the United States in the Far East after its armament is fully equipped and the trend of the Soviet Union after its national strength is fully strengthened. ”

Originally, Japan had to rely on imports of all or part of its important strategic materials, such as petroleum, rubber, special steel raw materials, bauxite, leather, cotton, wool, hemp, and oil, from the United States and Britain and their powers. In addition, most of the industrial machine tools, which can be called the industrial base, actually have to rely on the United States. At this time, the United States had abrogated the Japan-US Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, imposed an embargo on working machines, and had added oil and scrap iron to export projects that required approval a year earlier. After careful consideration, it was decided that, as a countermeasure, it should be imperative to import large quantities of major goods in advance. Part of it has already been implemented. As a result, the acquisition of resources from the South to break off economic dependence on the United States and Britain and consolidate the posture of self-sufficiency was regarded as an indispensable requirement for self-survival and self-defense.

In the view of the Government of Japan, the diplomatic solution to the question of the South should be put into practice immediately in order to achieve the desired goal expeditiously. However, it is also important to anticipate that the above-mentioned means may fail to achieve the objectives or that the use of force may be necessary in order to find a more complete solution to the question of the South. With regard to the use of force, of course, it is necessary to carefully consider the adjustment of relations with the ongoing events in China, as well as various internal and external situations.

In short, in order to cope with the changing situation in the world, Japan must improve its internal and external situation, quickly put an end to the China incident, and seize the opportunity to resolve the southern issue. For this reason, the Japanese army base camp believed that it was necessary to strengthen political unity with Germany and Italy and quickly adjust the diplomatic relations between Japan and the Soviet Union; Internally, it is extremely important to strengthen the domestic wartime system and promote the enhancement of war preparedness, and a new round of diplomatic offensive by the Japanese Government is about to begin. (To be continued......)