Japan - Master of the Orient

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 5th Year

Issue

Issue No.

2

Date Released

1939

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Japan - Master of the Orient

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: The film explains that Japan’s invasion of China, which to the rest of the world is a war of unprovoked aggression, is to the Japanese a "Holy War", blessed by the Shinto gods. Hourly radio broadcasts advise the people of successes gained by the Imperial army, of heavy enemy losses. Although told in 1937 that this war would be over in a month, today, after two years, the Japanese see more reserves being called up. Temples are crowded with women who, praying for their soldier sons and husbands, are comforted by the teachings of the warrior religion of Shinto - that all who die in battle will be forever worshipped as gods in the Shinto pantheon.

The March of Time’s cameras have pried into government propaganda headquarters, into the homes, farms and factories which make up this great industrial nation. Only fifty years ago Japan was a feudal empire living a thousand years behind the times; today, by borrowing mechanical and scientific inventions from the West, she sends manufactured goods into every market on earth. Every inch of ground is cultivated, and although it is the farmer who feeds Japan and rears the armies, millions of townspeople, engaged in home industries, produce two-thirds of the nation’s manufactures important for export trade. Having practically no natural resources, Japan’s chief means of subsistence is the conversion of cheaply purchased raw materials into saleable goods and the strength of her great textile industry lies in an endless supply of cheap labour. Exports have increased yearly despite restrictive tariffs, and profits have been used to purchase further raw materials.

Side by side with Japan’s modernism remains a deep respect for old traditions. The Emperor is still believed to be the "Son of Heaven" - the divine head of a divinely created empire. But most of the people know that the real rulers of Japan today are Prime Minister Kiichiro Hiranuma and his cabinet ministers, whose single policy is war, their aim to make their nation "Master of the Orient". As raw materials must be used for war needs and not for industry, securities on the Tokyo Stock Exchange are falling, the gold supply is almost at an end. In addition, Japan’s industrialists are still paying for the invasion of Manchuria in 1931.
Tokyo is launching new propaganda to show her own people and those of other countries that she has been strengthened by powerful allies in the Rome-Berlin axis. But many Japanese, adds the Voice of Time, fear that the policy of their militarists may involve Japan in far graver difficulties, and they realise that there is an ever-increasing weight of world opinion against aggressive nations.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.5 No.9 of the US edition.

Keywords

Foreign relations; Occupied territories; War and conflict

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.