Hiromichi Moteki

“Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact”, Head of Office
Born 1941, Tokyo. After graduating from Tokyo University, Department of Economics, worked for Fuji Electric. Through the International Wool Office work set up the “Sekai Shuppan” Co., Ltd. in 1990. CEO of the company. Executive Director of “Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact”. His works include, “Shougakko ni Eigo wa Hitsuyou Nai,” (Kodansha), “Bunkasho ga Eigo o Kowasu,” (Chukoshinsho), and has translated, “Japanese Military Strategy in the Pacific War: Was Defeat Inevitable?” (WAC), “Radiation Hormesis” (Nisshin News), etc.

“The whole Japanese war was a madman’s(Roosevelt’s) desire to get into war.”
These words were stated in the work (note 1) of the American President Hoover, who came before Roosevelt. The ex-President stated that, “It was not Japan, but Roosevelt who initiated the Pacific War.”

Furthermore, Congressman Hamilton Fish, who was opposed to entering the war, gave a passionate speech for supporting the war against Japan, after hearing Roosevelt’s speech post Pearl Harbor attack, changing his opinion. However, after the war he realized that he was deceived by Roosevelt and stated that he takes it all back.

How exactly did Roosevelt “deceive”? The authority to declare war lies with Congress in America. However, Roosevelt had not reported important information to Congress. According to the research on public opinion at the time, 85% of Americans were against the war. That changed 180 degrees after the Pearl Harbor attack. However, not only the citizens, but also Congress were not aware that America had given Japan an ultimatum with the “Hull note”.

Moreover, in July of 1941 Roosevelt had signed off on the plan to bomb the Japanese mainland, five months before the Pearl Harbor attack (note 2). This was a concrete order to attack, and it consisted of a plan to fly bombers from China. The bombing was delayed as the bombers had to suddenly be redirected to Britain. Thus Roosevelt only gave an appearance of being on the side of peace, while in reality he had deceived both the citizens and Congress, and was intent on starting war while avoiding criticism.

He Thought That Japan Had to Be Crushed

Racial discrimination was also in the background of Roosevelt’s initiation of war with Japan. He really believed that Japan to be a backwards, feudalistic, monarchical country, with a malicious militarism, that should be crushed by whatever means necessary.

Certainly such racial prejudice had something to do with the dropping of the atom bomb. The atomic bomb was initially developed against Germany, but dropping it on Germany was not studied concretely. The plan was to drop it on Japan from the beginning.

On the other hand Roosevelt saw China as being a republic and a democratic country. This was not unique to Roosevelt, but the general view of Americans at the time.

Even more, Roosevelt felt sympathetic to communism. Five presidents, up until Hoover, did not recognize the communist nation of Soviet Socialist Republic, but as soon as he entered office Roosevelt recognized the communists, and after that he continually capitulated to the Soviets. If the United States had properly recognized the threat of communism, then history would have been very different.

A True Alliance Between Japan and the States Should Be Realized

Many Americans admire Roosevelt today. That is because he won a “righteous war” for America. In recent years, the lies are being uncovered, little by little, but it must be difficult for Americans to admit. Of course there are those like Hoover and Fish who sincerely recognized the truth, but most Americans, even now, believe that they fought a just war.

However, they ought not to think “the war started because Japan was bad.” Unlike some countries, Japan does not ask American leaders to stand on the ground in Hiroshima and apologize. I just want to say that America should properly understand history. An alliance built on a lie can crumble at any time. I think Japan must speak out on matters that ought to be discussed and rethought.

(note 1) “Freedom Betrayed” (Hoover Institution Press)

(note 2) Official document released, JB355, in 1970.
JB stands for Joint Board of Staff.