84. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State0
2745. CINCPAC exclusive for Admiral Felt and POLAD; COMUS/Japan exclusive for General Burns. Embassy telegram 2733.1 I saw Fujiyama last night to obtain his reaction to the package proposal I had presented previous day. Fujiyama said he had discussed this matter with Kishi. Since I had indicated that proposal was single package which should be accepted or rejected in toto and not dealt with piece-meal [Page 202] item by item, he was authorized to inform me that Kishi accepted all points of substance in the package. There was, however, one point on form which Kishi felt it was not possible to accept. This was addition of words “in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time” at end of public formula.
Fujiyama said Prime Minister feels strongly that addition of that phrase would render the entire public formula ambiguous. It would be immediately claimed that we had not really undertaken to consult, and that claim would have some plausibility not only with Socialists but with general public. Fujiyama said Kishi and he understood that we had not intended that our proposal take away in last clause what had been given in earlier part of sentence, but such impression would inevitably be created and would greatly impair public acceptability of treaty and consultation formula, creating major trouble for Kishi government. Since phrase “in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time” is not really matter of substance, Kishi wished me to know that if we would agree to withdraw it we could settle on basis of my package proposal.
Re Article VI, Fujiyama said Kishi and he would accept our latest proposal, to have the article begin “For the purpose of contributing to the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East.”
Since I had strongly urged inclusion of phrase “in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time” in consultation formula, I told Fujiyama I would make Kishi’s views known immediately to Washington and hoped to let him know Washington’s reaction today. This morning, as authorized first paragraph Department telegram 1975,2 I told Fujiyama that we agree to delete the above clause, thus completing agreement on treaty, consultation formula and record of discussion.
[1 paragraph (7 lines of source text) not declassified]
Fujiyama explained that while there is agreement between us on above matters, before there can be final agreement of GOJ these matters will have to be discussed and approved by the new party leadership and cabinet, but he and Kishi anticipate no great difficulties.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.5/6–2059. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC and COMUS/Japan. ↩
- Document 81.↩
- Document 80.↩