"Nevertheless, China was unfortunately unable to understand Japan's real position, and it is greatly to be regretted that the Sino-Japanese War became one of long duration"

Hideki Tojo’s statement reflects the perspective of a Japanese leader during World War II, framing the origins and the prolongation of the Sino-Japanese War in terms sympathetic to Japan’s intentions and burdens. The phrase suggests a sense of disappointment or frustration on the part of Japan, implying that the continuation of the conflict was not Japan’s preferred outcome. By stating that China “was unfortunately unable to understand Japan’s real position,” Tojo projects blame for the breakdown in communication or diplomacy onto China, as if the war’s escalation was due to a lack of understanding or unwillingness from the Chinese side.

Underlying this remark is the assumption that Japan’s objectives in China were either reasonable or at least misinterpreted by the Chinese government. The use of “real position” hints that Japan’s motives were not aggressive or unreasonable, or at least that Japan saw them as justified, and that proper comprehension might have led to peaceful accommodation or at least a limited conflict. Tojo’s language reflects a form of historical revisionism, typical of wartime leaders seeking to justify military actions or to recast the narrative in more favorable terms for their nation.

Calling the war “one of long duration” and stating it is “greatly to be regretted” serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it registers the adverse effects, military, economic, and humanitarian, of a protracted war on both societies. On the other, it suggests that the length and costliness of the conflict were avoidable, had China recognized and adapted to Japan’s goals. This absolves Japan of primary responsibility and subtly places culpability on Chinese intransigence. At the same time, the phrase can be seen as hiding the aggressive expansionism that marked Japan’s policy toward China during this era, sidestepping direct acknowledgment of invasion or coercion. In sum, Tojo’s statement reveals the self-justifying narrative adopted by Japan’s leadership, masking aggression under the guise of misunderstood motives and unavoidable regret.