Investigation Bureau.24 " The parts played by others of the accused in the events in North China which occurred prior to the conclusion the Anti-Comintern Pact have been depicted in another phase of the case. At the Privy Council meeting which approved the Anti- Conintern Pact it was made clear that the Pact was intended as the basis for future joint military action on the part of Japan and Gernany in the event there should arise danger of an outbreak of war between Japan and the Soviet Union, and that henceforth the Soviet Union would be compelled to face the joint military strength of Japan and Germany5 AGGRESSION IN CHINA Japan thus fortified in her international relations, was in a position where she could proceed in comparative safety with the execution of her so-called divine mission of renovating 24TP 800. Personnel Record. 25Exhibit 485, TP 5,968-5,969. The minutes of the Privy Council on 25 November 1936 show the following statement by / PTT1 A . ilTiXJL a 3 "The substance of the secret agreement has consider¬able possibility for development depending on the inten¬tion of the two countries and if there should arise any danger of an outbreak of war between Japan and Soviet Russia, there is still room to push the dis¬cussion beyond the provisions of this agreement. Henceforth, Soviet Russia has to consider the fact that she has to face both Japan and Germany and for that reason I believe that even if Japan1s military preparations should not be adequate, Russia will not initiate any affair."