Japan on World War II
← Back to Japan ProfileThe "National Resistance Program" was the horrifying codename for Japan's desperate plan to mobilize its entire population in a suicidal defense against Allied invasion.
βNational Resistance Program.[Quote?]β
βI look upon the Guadalcanal and Tulagi operations as the turning point from offensive to defensive, and the cause of our setback there was our inability to increase our forces at the same speed as you.β
Emperor Hirohito's justification for Japan's attack on the United States and Great Britain, presented as evidence at the Tokyo War Trial, reveals Japan's claim of forced entry into war.
βBoth America and Britain...have aggravated the disturbances in East Asia...These two powers, inducing other countries to follow suit, increased military preparations on all sides of our Empire...They have obstructed by every means Our peaceful commerce, and finally resorted to a direct severance of economic relations... Patiently We waited and long have We endured, in hope that Our Government might retrieve the situation in peace. But Our adversaries, showing not the least spirit of conciliation, have unduly delayed a settlement...Our Empire for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.β