Emperor Hirohito in “Unfinished Business”

[in Japanese with English translator voiceover] To our good and loyal subjects, after pondering the general trends of the world, and conditions obtaining in our Empire today, I am effecting a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We declared war on America to ensure Japan's self-preservation, it being far from our thought to infringe on the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement. Our North American Occupation has lasted for nearly 20 years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone, the gallant efforts of our military and naval forces, continuing occupation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage. Should we continue to devote our precious resources to occupying the Japanese Pacific States, it would threaten the protection of the Japanese homeland. This is the reason I have ordered the strategic withdrawal of our occupying forces from the JPS. I am keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, my subjects. However, I have resolved to redeploy our awesome might and manpower from our North American territories to the front lines of the escalating Asian conflict. Let our entire nation continue as one family, ever firm in its faith of the imperishableness of our Imperial State.