New Year’s Rescript of Emperor Hirohito (1946)
(The Humanity Declaration)
To Our good and loyal subjects:
We stand by the people, and we wish to be united with them by mutual trust and affection. The ties between Us and Our people have always stood and shall always stand upon mutual trust and affection. They do not depend upon mere legends and myths.
They are not predicated on the false conception that the Emperor is divine, and that the Japanese people are superior to other races and fated to rule the world.
Our government has been urged to make this clear to the people, and We have accordingly decided to make an explicit statement. We desire that the people unite their strength with ours to build the future of our nation, based on peace and democracy.
We are deeply aware of the responsibilities we bear to future generations, and we shall continue to endeavor to promote the welfare and happiness of all our people.
The hardships and sufferings to which Our people have been subjected during the war are indeed heart-rending. Our future demands that We dedicate Ourselves to the construction of a peaceful state.
We call upon Our people to engage in this work with courage and determination.
January 1, 1946
Showa 21
Hirohito