611.94/9–2253
No. 715
Memorandum by the Deputy Director of the
Office of Northeast Asian Affairs (McClurkin) to the Assistant Secretary of
State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson)
Subject:
- Summary of Tokyo’s despatch 541 of September 22, 19531
The Japanese Foreign Office on August 15 issued the second installment of a series of papers entitled “The World and Japan”—a series which appears to be having some influence in enlightening public opinion on the base issue and which has been helpful in stemming the tide of the anti-base and anti-American movement of May and June. This paper, which was widely distributed, analyzes in detail the problem of Japanese opposition to United States facilities and areas and is an effective answer to charges that Japan is becoming a huge military base. It is optimistic with regard to the alleviation of major causes of opposition (economic loss from use of land and fishing areas; bad effects on education and morals; airplane noise) and, in connection with politically motivated opposition, explains the need for collective security and the attempts of leftists to drive a wedge between the United States and Japan. It also makes the following points: Contrary to exaggerated leftist charges, the 719 facilities and areas now used by United States forces (as compared to 2,152 at the time the Peace Treaty came into force) comprise only .0038 of the total area of Japan, and in many of these areas interference with local activities is minimal. The Joint Committee has worked out plans for relocation of United States forces in cities subject to new construction in Tokyo and Yokohama at Japan’s expense. Local Liaison Councils are being set up in locations throughout Japan and provide a forum for discussion on all problems of joint concern. (The Embassy recognizes that there is a fair amount of whitewashing in the paper the local Liaison Councils have not yet accomplished much; the Joint Committee has not actually solved the problem of relocating United States forces from large cities and it seems optimistic to expect that Japan will spend large sums to build new facilities within Tokyo to enable the release of a few conspicuous buildings.)
The Foreign Office expresses the view that United States forces have now reached the stage where no new requests for large areas will be made. This is probably the crucial issue in the base problem. [Page 1553] There will be strong opposition to any attempt by United States forces to expand existing facilities and in fact Japanese public opinion can be expected to become increasingly restive if United States forces do not constrict their operations in Japan. Japanese leaders now talk publicly and with apparent confidence about the withdrawal of United States forces as a probability within the next few years and the Japanese people are likely to expect early signs that this withdrawal policy is being put into effect.
The anti-base movement has noticeably declined since the end of June, one reason being that the Japanese Government and the United States forces did not press for immediate use of any of the hotly disputed areas such as Myogi and Uchinada, where the Foreign Office hopes satisfactory arrangements can soon be made. In both places the local people have been weeding out leftists and outside agitators, which has also enhanced the chances for settlement.
- Not printed. (611.94/9–2253)↩