The Tripartite Pact
(September 27, 1940)
The governments of Germany, Italy and Japan,
considering it as a condition precedent of any lasting peace that all
nations of the world be given each its own proper place, have decided
to stand by and co-operate with one another in regard to their efforts
in greater East Asia and regions of Europe respectively wherein it is
their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things
calculated to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples
concerned.
Furthermore, it is the desire of the three governments
to extend co-operation to such nations in other spheres of the world
as may be inclined to put forth endeavours along lines similar to their
own, in order that their ultimate aspirations for world peace may thus
be realized.
Accordingly, the governments of Germany, Italy and Japan have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
Japan recognizes and respects the leadership of Germany
and Italy in establishment of a new order in Europe.
ARTICLE TWO
Germany and Italy recognize and respect the leadership
of Japan in the establishment of a new order in greater East Asia.
ARTICLE THREE
Germany, Italy and Japan agree to co-operate in their
efforts on aforesaid lines. They further undertake to assist one another
with all political, economic and military means when one of the three
contracting powers is attacked by a power at present not involved in
the European war or in the Chinese-Japanese conflict.
ARTICLE FOUR
With the view to implementing the present pact, joint
technical commissions, members which are to be appointed by the respective
governments of Germany, Italy and Japan will meet without delay.
ARTICLE FIVE
Germany, Italy and Japan affirm that the aforesaid
terms do not in any way affect the political status which exists at
present as between each of the three contracting powers and Soviet Russia.
ARTICLE SIX
The present pact shall come into effect immediately
upon signature and shall remain in force 10 years from the date of its
coming into force. At the proper time before expiration of said term,
the high contracting parties shall at the request of any of them enter
into negotiations for its renewal.
In faith whereof, the undersigned duly authorized by
their respective governments have signed this pact and have affixed
hereto their signatures.
Done in triplicate at Berlin, the 27th day of September,
1940, in the 19th year of the fascist era, corresponding to the 27th
day of the ninth month of the 15th year of Showa (the reign of Emperor
Hirohito).
Sources: The
Avalon Project
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