JAPANESE DECLARATION OF WAR ON THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.

WORLD WAR II: THE PACIFIC THEATER. LOTS 61-78.
JAPANESE DECLARATION OF WAR ON THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Dated December 8th, 1941 (but this a later copy printed for Military Academy Use c.1942-1944).
Lithographic document in Japanese, laid out in 9 concertina panels, upright 8vo, 350 x 105 mm. Titled "Imperial Rescript of the Declaration of War on the United States and Great Britain." The formal announcement of a state of war delivered to the Japanese people, comprising title panel and 8 pp, in concertina form, original tissue interleaves. Imperial purple boards, upper cover with Imperial chrysanthemum device, and titled, edges lightly rubbed. Original blue/green card slipcase similarly lettered; Together with a 2pp mimeographed English Translation of the text, loosely inserted.

The document lays out the reasons for Japans declaration of war in December 1941, stating Japan's position in Asia as a supporter of peace, accusing America and Great Britain of aiding Nationalist groups in China. This is a contemporary reissue of the declaration for use in military academies, issued 1942-44. The Declaration of War was also republished in newspapers on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor throughout the War, to reinforce the Japanese Right for the war.