WORLD WAR II: JAPANESE DECLARATION OF WAR.

Imperial Rescript of the Declaration of War on the United States and Great Britain. Dated December 8th, 1941 (but later, printed for Military Academy Use c.1942-1944).

Imperial Rescript of the Declaration of War on the United States and Great Britain. Dated December 8th, 1941 (but later, printed for Military Academy Use c.1942-1944).
Lithographic document in Japanese, laid out in 9 concertina panels, upright 8vo, 14 x 4 inches (350 x 105 mm). 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. The Declaration of War was generally republished on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor throughout the War, to reinforce to the people the Japanese Right for the war.