Early this morning, the Board of Information of Rising Sun released the following declaration to the Press to be distributed. This was coupled by a press conference wherein Foreign Minister Adam Starke read the declaration but did not take any questions. The text of the Declaration of War follows:
By the grace of Heaven, Emperor Akihito, seated on the Chrysanthemum Throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, enjoin upon ye, Our loyal and brave subjects:
We hereby Declare War on the state known as The Magic Kingdom. The men and officers of the Imperial Army and Navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war. Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of Our war aims.
To insure the stability of the Empire of Japan and to contribute to world peace is the far-sighted policy which was formulated by Our Great Illustrious Imperial Grandsire Emperor Hirohito and Our Great Imperial Sire succeeding Him Emperor Akihito, and which We lay constantly to heart. To cultivate friendship among nations and to enjoy prosperity in common with all nations, has always been the guiding principle of Our Empire's foreign policy. It has been truly unavoidable and far from Our wishes that Our Empire has been brought to cross swords with The Magic Kingdom. Four Days have passed since the Magic Kingdom recklessly courting trouble, disturbed the peace of The Empire of Japan and compelled Our Empire to take up arms. Eager for the realization of their inordinate ambition to expand their vicious policies abroad, the Magic Kingdom did aggressively attack the sovereign territory of the Empire of Japan. Moreover this Power, menacing gravely the existence of Our Empire, did attempt assassination of our Great Emperor. This trend of affairs would, if left unchecked, not only nullify Our Empire's efforts of many years for the sake of peace, but also endanger the very existence of Our nation.for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.
The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward and that the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated and an enduring peace immutably established in the world, preserving thereby the glory of Our Empire.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hand and caused the Imperial Seal of Japan to be affixed at the Imperial Palace, this nineteenth day of the 5th month of the year 1993, corresponding to the 2,703rd year from the accession to the throne of Emperor Jimmu.
