162. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State0
3840. Eyes only for the Secretary. Presidential visit. Embtel 3825.1 Takeo Fukuda (Agriculture Minister and one of Kishi’s closest confidants) called on me privately this afternoon to give me his account of his recent negotiations with Soviets in Moscow re salmon fishing. At conclusion his account of Moscow talks, he said he wanted to talk personally and confidentially about President’s visit to Japan.
Fukuda indicated that he personally felt that in light of recent evolution of Japanese domestic political situation, timing of President’s visit [Page 305] might not be of the best. As matters now stand, President is scheduled to arrive on day security treaty is finally ratified by Japan and conjuncture of these two events might give leftists pretext to mount demonstrations which might mar President’s visit and be unpleasant for him. Fukuda said this possibility troubles Kishi, whom he sees daily, as latter greatly admires and respects President and wants nothing to interfere with success of his visit, although he very much wants President to visit Japan.
Fukuda asked me on “strictly personal basis” whether President’s visit might be postponed for ten days or two weeks, so that ratification and entry into effect of treaty would have been accomplished. I said I could not answer officially, but personally I felt this was out of question because of visit to US of King of Thailand June 28; Congressional adjournment early in July followed by ten-day period for President to review Congressional legislation; and Republican Convention late in July. I added, however, that I felt postponement to somewhat later date, perhaps in August, might be feasible and even desirable if GOJ believed timing was not good, and if Kishi wished me on strictly confidential basis to explore this possibility, I would be glad to do so.
Fukuda himself felt that on balance postponement would be desirable. To advance date of President’s arrival in Tokyo wouldn’t really solve problem of timing, since until treaty is ratified and enters into effect, leftists may be expected to continue to agitate. Fukuda was most emphatic that there should be no cancellation of visit and that initiative for postponement should be with GOJ. If it were agreed to postpone, it would be extremely helpful if approximate date of postponed visit could be mentioned in general terms–for example “sometime in August”–when postponement was publicly announced.
In conclusion Fukuda asked me not to mention to anyone that he had discussed this matter with me since I gathered he has talked only to Kishi about it and that latter has not been in touch with FonOff. Fukuda said he hoped to be in touch with me tomorrow2 about this after he had seen Kishi.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/5–2560, Confidential; Niact.↩
- Document 161.↩
- No record of another meeting the next day has been found.↩