Kōki Hirota quotes

Kōki Hirota was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan in the 1930s. Known for his involvement during a turbulent period leading up to World War II, he played a key role in Japan's foreign policy. He was later convicted as a war criminal and executed after the war. Here are 7 of his quotes:

Other powers will continue to enjoy an equal right to trade in and develop the natural resources of the occupied territory, for the economic development of which the investment of foreign capital is very desirable.

Kōki Hirota

I am having a very difficult time. Things happen unexpectedly.

Kōki Hirota

I investigated reported Japanese atrocities committed by the Japanese Army in Nanking and elsewhere. Verbal accounts of reliable eyewitnesses and letters from individuals whose credibility is beyond question afford convincing proof that the Japanese Army behaved and is continuing to behave in a fashion reminiscent of Attila and his Huns. Not less than 300,000 Chinese civilians were slaughtered, many in cold blood.

Kōki Hirota

Japan cannot remain indifferent to anyone's taking action, under any pretext, which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order in st Asia for which she, if only in view of her geographic position, has the most vital concern.

Kōki Hirota

If you want to maintain the superiority of your state at the present time, you must quickly enter into a coalition with Germany and Italy and thus restrain Europe and create a firm foundation for imperial policy in the Far East.

Kōki Hirota

We have successfully built up our national strength and prestige, accepting and adding to our civilization the art and science of the West. Now, I believe, the time has come for us to carry our art and culture to other countries.

Kōki Hirota