Japan - Political Situation / Government Structure

Analysis of The Southern Co-Prosperity Sphere. Crimes to which document applicable: Preparation of Japanese opinion for war. Summary of relevant points: Book, by HAYASAKA, Yoshio, gives an economic, political, and geographic description of French Indo China, Thailand, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, and the Philippine Islands. Explains why Japan had to form a bloc of these areas to protect her new order in Asia, and that should America attempt to curb Japan's southward expansion, war would be inevitable.

Document No. 2456. Affidavit of Ai-Sin-Cho-Lo PU YI (former Emperor of Manchukuo) taken at Habarvosk "made before the Soviet Union Military Interrogating Officer, Colonel Kudriavtsev." Translation of full affidavit. Topics include: biography of Pu Yi; Japanese occupation of Manchuria; actions of the Kwantung Army; governance of Manchukuo; the Privy Council.

Reports on the testimony given by Ryukichi Tanaka, ex-Major General and Chief of the Military Service Bureau of the War Ministry, regarding his conflicting opinions with Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Tanaka also states that he had asked Shigenori Togo to lead a political movement to oust Tojo. This article covers the third day of Tanaka's testimony on the witness stand. He went into detail on the reasons that led to his resignation, including his belief in "Japan's inadequate war preparedness, friction between the Army and Navy and fear of subordinate officers to report to their superiors of the actual preparation conditions." The article discusses the mental and physical state of Tanaka stating that "previous speculation that the defense in its cross-examination would attempt to prove that the prosecution's star witness was mentally unbalanced failed to materialize yesterday morning."

Reports that Emperor Hirohito has offered to issue a public statement admitting his personal responsibility for the war but has been dissuaded from doing so by his advisors.

Gives a detailed biography of Baron HIRANUMA as related to his political and governmental positions. Describes how specific actions occurred during his tenure in certain positions. Concludes: "In my opinion, the history of the subject reflects that he has always been very conservative in his ideas, but nevertheless has drifted along with the tide of Japanese expansion and in so doing contributed materially to the Japanese Expansion Program."