The well-known newspaper Mainichi Shimbun today made the following comment on the speech made by Mr Subhas Chandra Bose before the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association: The presence of Mr Subhas Chandra Bose in Japan is particularly significant because our country, Japan, has long been an ardent supporter of Indian independence. In future Japan will continue to render every assistance to the Indian people. It has always been Japan’s aim to expel British influence from India as well as to continue the war against the Anglo-Saxon Powers in order to ensure other people’s prosperity irrespective of caste or religion. The position of Japan and India is identical in that they have the same ideal, namely, the destruction of the arrogant Anglo-Saxon Powers. As Mr Bose emphatically declared, the question of India’s independence is primarily the concern of the Indian people, and it can only be won by the efforts of the Indian masses, whether they have to shed their blood for their cause or not. Mr Bose’s exciting words that force will be met with force, both within and without India, will not fall on deaf ears. On the contrary, the Indian independence movement is already showing signs of emerging as a positive force, and the day is not far off when it will take a decisive turn. Mr Bose said, “Blood must be shed for winning our independence, i.e., India’s independence, unless won through bloodshed, would not be real. Therefore, we are determined to fight with all our strength against our enemy, Britain. As Britain has drawn the sword, India too must do the same in return. The Civil Disobedience movement must be turned into an armed fight, when we have won our independence through bloodshed, then alone will we be entitled to it.” These were the fiery words of Mr Bose addressed to his fellow countrymen.
At last the Indians have got a leader in the person of Mr Bose who is all for armed fighting and who wishes to pit might against might. Asia calls upon you, Oh people of India, to fight under the leadership of this great patriot! In this titanic war, you Indians are not alone. The Japanese Prime Minister, General Tojo, has already declared in his Diet Speech that the Japanese Government will not only extend to you every possible assistance, but will fight shoulder to shoulder with you. The noble ideal of the Japanese nation, under which every country and community will flourish and prosper, is now being realised in Greater East Asia. Whereas, the European Powers had made East Asia their object of exploitation and oppression, the Japanese have inaugurated a New Order in these legions. But, while the countries of Greater East Asia are marching fast towards prosperity and independence, India is still struggling against the tyrannical British for her independence. The miseries that India is suffering today have caused the Japanese Government to make a firm resolve to crush British rule in India so that Indians may regain their long cherished independence. Premier Tojo further declared that the days are not far off when Indians will attain their freedom and be prosperous once more. Japan has promised to render every assistance to Mr Subhas Bose for the purpose of winning Indian independence, and she always keeps her word. People of India, rise. The people in Japan and East Asia are ready to assist you to win your struggle for freedom.
—TOKYO RADIO, June 24, 1943.