The Emperor as a divine figure: The Japanese emperor was considered to be a direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and was therefore considered to be a kami (god). This made him a sacred figure, and his word was considered to be law.
The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere: This was the Japanese vision for a new order in Asia, in which Japan would be the dominant power and would lead the other Asian countries to prosperity and independence from Western colonialism.
The inevitability of war: The Japanese believed that war was necessary in order to achieve their goals of racial superiority and regional dominance. They saw the war as a struggle against Western imperialism and colonialism, and believed that they were fighting for the freedom and independence of all Asian peoples.
Bushido: This was the samurai code of honor, which emphasized loyalty, courage, and self-sacrifice. Bushido was seen as a way of life for all Japanese people, and it was expected that they would be willing to die for their country.