Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 2

790.00/2–1653

No. 633
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Allison) to the Secretary of State¹

secret

[Washington,] March 3, 1953.

Subject:

• Attached Telegram to Tokyo.²

Discussion

Foreign Minister Okazaki recently renewed with Ambassador Murphy an earlier Japanese request for tripartite (United States, United Kingdom and Japan) discussions in Tokyo of such major international issues as the Korean conflict, a blockade of the Chinese coast, and the recent United States order concerning the Seventh Fleet.³

From various indications, including comments in the Diet by members of the opposition and of the Liberal Party, we are sure that what the Japanese have in mind is a desire to be consulted in advance by the United States before any major steps, such as the bombing of Manchurian air bases, which might possibly bring retaliation from the Communists of a nature to involve Japan directly. Clearly, we can not commit ourselves to such advance consultations. However, we are anxious to the greatest extent possible to develop mutual discussions with the Japanese of these larger issues. Doing so will give them a sense of participation in the struggle against Communism and will also, we hope, help to move them to take more effective measures to contribute to their own defense.

We have, therefore, drafted the attached telegram which gives encouragement to the general idea of frequent high-level discussions with the Japanese on such questions but recommends that they be kept to a bilateral basis and that they be held in Tokyo. In commenting on the specific questions raised by the Japanese we have in general followed the substance of your conversation of February 19 with Ambassador Munro.⁴ This telegram should serve the purpose for the present. If you are able to go to Japan later this year, your discussions with the Japanese at that time will undoubtedly serve as the complete response to the Japanese request.

Recommendation

I recommend that you sign the attached telegram.

1. Concurred in by H. Freeman Matthews and by the Department of Defense.

2. Telegram 2147 to Tokyo, drafted in NA on Mar. 2, was approved by the Secretary personally on Mar. 5 and sent that day. It contained some information on U.S. views on the topics mentioned in paragraph 1 of this memorandum, which was to be given the Japanese Government along with the following comment on the question of talks: “US interested discussions with Japanese Government continuing basis major international issues which directly or indirectly affect Japan. Because of desirability frequent and continuing discussion with highest officials Japanese Government seems preferable as Japanese suggest such discussions take place Tokyo. For reasons Okazaki suggested and also contribute to free and frank exchange views believe discussions should be bilateral instead tripartite.” (790.00/2–1653)

   In telegram 2997 from Tokyo, Mar. 17, Murphy replied: “I reviewed with Okazaki last evening substance your telegram 2147. He said he fully understands Department’s position; he is disappointed but not surprised. He said he would like to think matter over and discuss it with Cabinet.” (794.00/3–1753)

3. See telegram 2656, supra.
4. The memorandum of this conversation by G. Hayden Raynor, Director of the Office of British Commonwealth and Northern European Affairs, is not printed. (Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation, lot 64 D 199)