394.1115/123: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, October 22,
1941—5 p.m.
[Received October 22—10 a.m.]
1672. A note, number 118, American I, dated October 20, has been received
from the Foreign Office stating that since the enforcement of freezing of
Japanese assets American officials have conducted strict examinations of the
baggage and household effects of returning Japanese nationals, and that in
not a few cases the persons of passengers have been searched; that as long
as this situation continues the Japanese Government will be obliged to adopt
similar tactics; but that in order to prevent the rise of undesirable
sentiments between the two countries the Japanese Government will adopt the
procedure outlined below on a reciprocal basis as soon as the American
Government agrees thereto. A prompt reply is requested.
The proposals are translated as follows:
- “(1) As a general rule, no search of persons of bearers of
official passports will be made unless there is reason for
suspicion.
- (2) Although bearers of official passports are required to
submit detailed lists of their baggage and household effects,
when it is deemed necessary only a portion thereof shall be
opened and examined, and as a general rule the whole of such
baggage and household effects will not be opened or
examined.
- (3) As a general rule, and when there is no reason for
suspicion, there will be no personal search of other
passengers.
- (4) Although when it is deemed necessary all the baggage and
household effects of other passengers will be opened and
examined, as a general rule normal examination procedure will be
followed.
- (5) As a general rule, the Imperial Japanese Government at
present is permitting persons leaving the country to take with
them, in the form of drafts, letters of credit, currency, et
cetera, up to $200, and an additional $100 for a wife and $50
for each child; bearers of diplomatic passports are permitted to
take out up to five times the above amounts. If, however, the
Government of the United States grants permits exceeding the
above amounts, the Imperial Japanese Government will act
accordingly.
- (6) Permits will be granted for the baggage and personal
effects of persons leaving the country after taking into
consideration the personal status, rank, and assets of the
individual concerned.
- (7) With reference to the baggage and household effects of
bearers of diplomatic passports, no permit to export without
exchange will be necessary.”
