Emperor Taishō

“ It is with profound regret that we, in spite of our ardent devotion to the cause of peace, are thus compelled to declare war, especially at this period of our reign and while we are still in mourning for our lamented mother. ”

“ Since the outbreak of the present war in Europe, calamitous effect of which we view with grave concern, we on our part have entertained hopes of preserving the peace of the Far East by the maintenance of strict neutrality, but the action of Germany has at length compelled Great Britain, our ally, to open hostilities against that country, and Germany is at Kiaochou, its leased territory in China, busy with warlike preparations, while its armed vessels cruising seas of eastern Asia are threatening our commerce and that of our ally. ”

“ We hereby declare war against Germany, and we command our army and navy to carry on hostilities against that Empire with all their strength, and we also command all our competent authorities to make every effort, in pursuance of their respective duties to attain the national aim by all means within the limits of the law of nations. ”