Focusing on the significance of the Greater East Asia policies promoted by Prime Minister SHIGEMITSU Mamoru during World War II—including the issues of approving independence for Burma and the Philippines as well as the liberation of French Indochina—Prof. HATANO Sumio sheds light on the formation and evolution of Japan's diplomacy in Asia. He then goes on to verify the meaning of what was held to be Japan's war aim—liberation of the people of Asia—and its impact on policies.