Iwane Matsui

“Now I am master of Shanghai.”

“Japan will not abandon the fight for the Philippines even if Tokyo should be reduced to ashes!”

“I am confident that the day is not far distant when the light of peace shine again.”

“The Japanese army is now prepared to use every means within its power to subdue its opponents. The objectives of the Japanese Expeditionary Forces are, as clearly set forth in statements issued by the Japanese Government, not only to protect the vested interests of Japan and the lives and property of the Japanese residents in the affected area, but also to scourge the Chinese Government and army who have een pursuing anti-foreign and anti-Japanese policies in collaboration with Communist influences.”

“Orderly discipline and morale within an army was the responsibility of the Division Commander.”

“Prince Asaka had joined the army only about ten days before its entry into Nanking and in view of the short time he was connected with this army I do not think he can be held responsible. I would say that the Division Commanders are the responsible parties.”

“The China Incident [of 1937 onwards] has resulted in massive loss of life through the mutual killing of neighboring friends. This is the greatest tragedy of the last one thousand years. Nevertheless this is a holy war to save the peoples of East Asia.... Invoking the power of Avalokitesvara, I pray for the bright future of East Asia.”

“There's no solution except to break the power of Chiang Kai-shek by capturing Nanking. That is what I must do.”