This article was published in the Dokuritsu Hyōron on January 1, 1903.
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I find it a source of great joy to have visited Uchimura Kanzo today and rekindled a friendship that had long been interrupted. While I cannot say I fully agree with all of his views on religion and society, I had deeply regretted losing a man of such noble character, one so steadfast in his convictions, from the ranks of my seniors. Thus, I offer silent thanks to Heaven for his magnanimity in accepting someone as foolish and headstrong as myself, allowing us to renew our old bond.
After visiting Uchimura I returned to Mr. Karekawa’s home, where I had spent the previous night, only to find that he had followed me there; the three of us then boarded a train bound for the Yamanote district, intending to head into the downtown area together. As we conversed on the train, touching upon topics ranging from current events to religion, Uchimura turned to me and said, “Yamaji, I hear you have recently become a proponent of imperialism. Imperialism is something I reject as a great enemy of Christianity; what is your view on this?” These words stirred my heart deeply.
I wished to seek advice on this matter from Uchimura, a sincere senior acquaintance with whom I had renewed an old bond. Unfortunately, the brief train ride from Shinjuku to Shimbashi did not afford me the time to do so. Upon reflection, however, I realized that this question was not mine alone; there must be many others who share my sentiments. I felt it best to draft an open letter addressed to Uchimura and those who share his views, so that we might openly discuss this issue together.
Before addressing this issue, I must first clarify my stance on religion. I hold all religions in high regard. I rejoice in the happiness of those who, through sincere faith grounded in knowledge, have become adherents of a particular religion. However, I reject a narrow, dogmatic view of religion. It is acceptable to affirm something because it is true; it is unacceptable to insist, simply because it is true, that no other truth exists. Creeds and scriptures certainly deserve respect; yet the spirit with which we pursue truth must always remain absolutely free. We cannot tolerate having our minds bound by creeds and scriptures. For instance, one may rightly say that Christianity is true; however, one cannot insist that, because Christianity is true, no other truth exists outside of it.
Thus, it suffices for me to frankly confess the reasons why I am a proponent of ‘imperialism.’ In making this confession, I am under no obligation to let my mind be bound by anything; I simply intend to speak honestly of what I truly think. Should my words conflict with established tenets, it would imply a misunderstanding on one side or the other. My mind is free. I shall faithfully examine the cause of such a contradiction and, if there is room for harmony between the two, I shall seek it. If there is no such room, I shall simply follow the path that aligns with the truth.
Why am I a believer in imperialism? I believe in imperialism because I have the conviction that human beings possess the right to exist. Religion has taught me the truth that one must not kill. How, then, could it possibly contradict religion for me to declare to the world, or, to put it another way, to demand, that I have the right to exist? Religion has indeed taught me that I should be prepared to sacrifice myself for the sake of truth; yet, it has never taught me a doctrine of servitude that demands I surrender my very self to the unjust demands of others.
Neither the life of Buddha nor that of Christ demands such a futile sacrifice of us. Every saint and every scripture has taught me that human beings possess the right to exist, that we are under no obligation to offer up our bodies as food for others, surrendering our very flesh and blood to them. The ‘humanity’ bestowed upon us by noble religions rests upon the fundamental premise that human beings have a right to exist. If humans lacked the right to exist, how could there be such a thing as ‘humanity’? It is because I hold the conviction that human beings possess the right to exist that I stand opposed to imperialism, a system that leads to the elimination of human life.
In the words of a religious figure, this is divine judgment, the law of cause and effect. Those who work earn their sustenance, while those who neglect their duties go hungry; in short, one reaps what one sows. I see no reason to shield the unhealthy, the dishonest, the gluttonous, the indolent, or the failed simply out of fear of the label ‘aggression-ism.’ The ideal of imperialism is to ensure the people are physically healthy and industrially active, and, through a unified and well-ordered social organization, to demand justice from the world. If this is to be called aggression-ism, then I do not shrink from that name.
I have no need for a religion that shields the unfit from the consequences of their failure. Such things are religions for women, religions for hysterics. Those who understand the benevolent nature of the Divine Father recognize that the failure of the unfit is a form of grace intended to awaken in them a profound sense of realization; thus, I cannot fathom the logic that equates extending feminine compassion to the unfit with true humanitarianism. (I had written up to this point on December 17th when I received notice that the manuscript deadline had arrived.)
