Laurel's party is at the Ise shrine. He made another racially divisive speech: "Filipinos must be reborn as Orientals ... must take pride in our complexion ... must be convinced that [we] can live on an equal footing with any other race." Who says we can't? The emphasis on race, color and geography is Japanese-inspired. Laurel wants us to "shake off" the vestiges of European and American civilizations — the Christian and the liberal, the tolerant and the enlightened.

Many feel Laurel said more in Tokyo than is reported here. There's a growing feeling that he committed the Philippines to join the war on Japan's side.

La Vanguardia: "Shozo Murata named Ambassador to the Philippines." As an economist, not a politician or statesman, he'll make sure we adhere to Tokyo's plans.