Japanese declaration of war on the United States and the British Empire

The Imperial edict of declaration of war by the Empire of Japan on the United States and the British Empire (Kyūjitai: 米國及英國ニ對スル宣戰ノ詔書) was published on 8 December 1941 (Japan time; 7 December in the US), 7.5 hours after Japanese forces started an attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor and attacks on British forces in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilise their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of Our war aims.

Although there has been reestablished the National Government of China, with which Japan had effected neighborly intercourse and cooperation, the regime which has survived in Chungking, relying upon American and British protection, still continues its fratricidal opposition.

Eager for the realisation of their inordinate ambition to dominate the Orient, both America and Britain, giving support to the Chungking regime, have aggravated the disturbances in East Asia.

The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward and that the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated and an enduring peace immutably established in East Asia, preserving thereby the glory of Our Empire.