SHIGEMITSU stated in a telegram to ARITA on 20 June 194-0 that the time was advantageous for use of the European situation to strengthen Japan's position in East Asia and directed his attention to the position of French Indo-China. 164 On 5 August 1940 SHIGEMITSU cabled MATSUOKA congratulating him on his establishment of a policy for Greater East Asia, and the setting out of his ideas on foreign policy toward the United States, Great Britain and Russia. In this connection he signi¬ficantly pointed out that "it would be necessary to consider measures for gaining the maximum benefits at the minimum loss by carrying them out at the direct expense of small nations (for instance — France or Portugal) (although indirectly, it may turn out to be at the expense of Britain and America), and by avoiding conflict with other countries so as not to make many enemies at once but to dispose of them one by one." 165 The strengthening of Japan's foreign policy with regard to the Japanese-German coalition became apparent from the action of members of its cabinet. War Minister TOJO entered upon a program by which he sought to promote anti-British feeling among the Japanese, encouraged action against British possessions in East Asia, and by his energetic action restrained pro-British activity on the part of court and economic circles. 166On 23 August 1940, Foreign Minister MATSUOKA announced the recall of 164Exhibit 1019, TP 9,691. 165Exhibit 1023, TP 9,712. 166Exhibit 546, TP 6,293.