611.94/11–954
No. 825
Memorandum of Conversation, by the
Ambassador to Japan (Allison)
Subject:
- Conference with Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yoshida
Participants:
- The President of the United States
- Asst. Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, Mr. Robertson
- American Ambassador to Japan, Mr. John M. Allison
- Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Yoshida
- Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sadao Iguchi
After greeting by the President, Prime Minister Yoshida said that he had been instructed by the Emperor and Empress to convey to President Eisenhower, to Secretary Dulles, and the American people, the great appreciation of their Majesties for the manner in which the Japanese Crown Prince was received on his visit to the United States last year.1 Prime Minister Yoshida stated that the Crown Prince had also requested him to convey his personal thanks for the kind treatment he had received and to inform the President that the trip throughout the United States had been one of the high spots of his world journey.
The President expressed appreciation for this message and said that it was his desire and that of the United States Government that everything possible should be done to better the relationships between Japan and the United States. The President pointed out that in addition to the sentimental reason for strengthening these friendly relations, it was only hard-headed business sense for all of [Page 1776] the free nations to work together in the closest harmony in the face of the constant threat of Communist aggression.
The President pointed out that while he was not at all certain that Soviet Russia desired war at this time, nevertheless this remained a possibility and that if it should come, all of the free nations would be involved at almost the same time. The President said that he believed that the strength of the free world had been so increased that the Soviet Union would no longer find it possible to pick on one country or area at a time but that it would be necessary for it to attack in many places at once and not give large sections of the free world time to rally for counter attacks. While probably the initial effort of the Soviets would be directed against American industrial and airpower, attacks on other areas such as Japan would certainly not be long delayed and that we would all be in it together.
Mr. Yoshida seemed to concur in this view and said that he and his government were much concerned at Communist propaganda efforts directed at Japan. He said the Communist peace offensive was being stepped up in Asia and that evidences of Soviet “double dealing” were increasing. He pointed out that while the Soviets were attempting to convince the Japanese people of the dangers of American imperialism they were at the same time telling the people of Southeast Asia of the dangers of renewed aggression from Japan. In the Prime Minister’s opinion it was most important for the free nations to take the propaganda offensive away from the Communists and Mr. Yoshida was particularly impressed with the necessity of the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan cooperating in Asia in countering the Communist machinations. The Prime Minister said that while he had been in London he had discussed this matter with Sir Anthony Eden and had been told that while the British agree on the importance of countering Communism in Asia they did not wish to take any action without making certain that it was in accordance with American policy insofar as possible. Prime Minister Yoshida said that he had suggested to Eden that the three countries might well set up some sort of organization in Singapore under the leadership of the able British High Commissioner Malcolm MacDonald.2 Mr. Yoshida said his government was prepared to send a high calibre official to Singapore accompanied by a staff with training and experience in China and Russia and with a knowledge of Communist methods. In response to a question from the President, Mr. Yoshida said he had not yet discussed this matter with the Department of State but that he hoped to bring it up at his meeting later in the afternoon with Secretary [Page 1777] of State Dulles. The President said he was certain that American officials would always be ready to discuss any plan for cooperation against Communism and he expressed in this connection the highest regard for Malcolm MacDonald.
(Although Prime Minister Yoshida has often in the past expressed the hope that the United Kingdom, United States and Japan could cooperate in countering Communist propaganda in Asia, this is the first time he has made any specific suggestion as to how this might be done.)
The President expressed his interest and that of the American government in Japan’s economic health and said that it was our desire to do everything possible, in the light of our world-wide commitments, to assist Japan on the road she was now following. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the help which had been given by the United States to Japan after the occupation and said that without this help it would have been impossible for his country to have done what little it had in improving the livelihood of its people.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the success of the present Japanese Government austerity program had brought with it certain problems including a large increase in Japanese unemployment as well as an intensification of criticism of the present Government.
In connection with the general discussion of the world situation, the President expressed the hope that progress would be made in developing the peaceful uses of atomic energy and expressed regret that the continued lack of Soviet cooperation made it necessary to devote a major share of atomic capabilities to destructive purposes rather than to the advancement of mankind.
Luncheon was then announced and the party broke up and the President led the way to the dining room to the tune of popping flashlight bulbs.