CULTURAL AND TRADE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN JAPAN, GERMANY AND ITALY (1) Close cooperation between the signatories of the Anti- Comintern Pact was demonstrated by the conclusion of cultural treaties between Germany aild Japan on 25 November 1938, and Italy and Japan on 23 March 1939• These treaties provided for-systematic promotion of cultural relations in the fields of science, fine arts, music, literature, motion pictures, radio broadcasts, child and youth movements/ sports, etc. The result sought to be ob-; tained was alleged to be the strengthening of the ties of friend¬ship between the nations concerned, and the possibility of the treaties exerting political influence was recognized* In a speech at the opening of the German-Japanese Cultural Committee, WEIZ- SACKEB expressed his conviction that the political friendship of the two nations would be deepened by the agreement. Proof (a)Document 956, (Exhibit No. 37): ARTICLE I “TREATY BETWEEN JAPAN AND GERMANY PERTAINING TO CULTURAL COOPERATION “The Imperial Government of Japan and the Governmnet of Germany, recognizing solemnly that, in view of the fact that Japan’s own peculiar spirit and Germany’s racial and national life constitute respectively the essence of Japan’s culture and Germany’s culture, the cultural relations between Japan and Germany should be based on these factors, and desiring to further strengthen the friendly and mutual trust, which fortunately binds the two countries already, by deepening the various cultural relations between the two countries and also by promoting the mutual knowledge and understanding between the peoples of the countries, have entered into an agreement as follows: ARTICLE I “The High Contracting Powers shall mutually cooperate most closely in order to strive to establish their cultural relations on a firm basis.