The Declaration of Independence in Japanese:
Retranslation Back to English

Partial Retrtanslation of Takagi Yasaka’s Translation (1952) When it becomes necessary, in the course of development of humankind, for one national people to dissolve the political bands which have placed them under another national people, and assume among the powers of the world the independent and equal status to which they are entitled by the law of nature and the law of nature’s god, they declare as a natural manifestation of their respect for the opinion of mankind the causes which have impelled them to the separation. We believe as self-evident truths that all persons are created equal and are endowed by the Creator certain unalienable heavenly-given rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Likewise, we believe that governments are instituted among the humankind to secure these rights and that their just powers are derived from the consent of the governed. We also believe that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these purposes, the people have the right to alter and abolish it and organize a new government which is based on the principle, and provided with powers, that will bring them safety and happiness. Prudence indeed dictates that governments which have existed long should not be changed for light and transient causes. All past experience therefore has shown the tendency of humankind to suffer, while evils are sufferable, rather than to abolish the forms to which they are accustomed. But when continual abuses and usurpations are committed clearly with a persistence aim, revealing the design to reduce the people under absolute despotism, it is their right and duty to abolish such government and create a new guaranteeing organization for their future security. …