Opening celemony of the extraordinary central cooperation forum of the Taisei Yokusankai (Imperial Rule Assistance Association). From "Yokusan Kokumin Undoshi"

On 22 July 1940 (Showa 15), the 2nd KONOE Fumimaro Cabinet was inaugurated. Starting on 28 August, discussions took place at the Shintaisei Preparatory Committee about specific proposals for an organization to execute, lead, and promote the national movement to the launch the Taisei Yokusankai which was formed on 12 October. The leadership was to be assumed by the Prime Minister concurrently with his primary duties, and it was decreed that branches be established in Japan's prefectures and local government bodies, and that "cooperation councils" be established both centrally and regionally, as a way to enlist and organize the whole population into the Taisei Yokusan movement. However, as the Movement placed bitter enemies in the same boat that is it encompassed previously existing power centers such as the former political parties, as well as also the "renovation faction" - the Association proved hard to manage, and the Basic Plan for Realizing the Taisei Yokusankai could not be announced until some two months after the launch of the organization.

Moreover, much criticism was aimed at the Association, with some people describing it as the "KONOE Shogunate," and others labeling it "anti-constitutional." It also faced opposition from the Home Ministry officials who were charged with the duty of organizing the Movement regionally. The following year, in February 1941 (Showa 16), its political activities were prohibited, as it was officially deemed to be a "public association." Thus, the Taisei Yokusankai was reorganized into an administrative assistance organization led by the Home Ministry, dashing the hopes of the KONOE Shintaisei (New Political Order) Movement to create a "single powerful political party."