No. 683
Editorial Note
In the course of the Secretary’s press conference held on September 3, the following exchange occurred:
“Q. Mr. Secretary, can you give us some comment on the Japanese defense program?
“A. Comment on the Japanese defense program?
“Q. Yes.
“A. I would say that it is the hope of the United States that the Japanese Government will take more vigorous measures than they have yet taken to provide for their own internal security. We feel that too much of a burden is being thrown in that respect upon the [Page 1497] United States and that Japan, with its population of 85 million, could make a greater contribution toward its own security than it is now doing. We realize the difficulty and complexity of the problem, the difficult economic position that Japan is in. I would say in that respect that the difficult economic position has not led the Japanese to adopt a very severe austerity program. They seem to find money to spend in other ways which perhaps are not as essential as security, and to throw upon the United States a greater burden in that respect. I do not think we should be expected to carry that burden indefinitely. I think these matters are being worked out, will be worked out, because I think that the Japanese people surely want to feel that they are carrying their fair share of responsibility for their own security. There is no proposal or desire to have the Japanese create a great army. Such a thing is not permissible under the Constitution, but from the standpoint of having a sufficient force there to preserve internal security against possible inroads and action of a subversive character, I believe that there is need of a somewhat greater Japanese security force than now exists.” (Department of State, News Division, “News Conferences of the Secretary: Verbatim Reports”, volume XXIV, 1953–1955, under date)
For another extract of this record, see footnote 3, infra.