Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Japan, Volume XXIII, Part 1

204. Memorandum on the Substance of Discussion at the Department of State–Joint of Chiefs of Staff Meeting, Washington, August 9, 1957, 11:30 a.m.¹

Washington, August 9, 1957, 11:30 a.m.

[Here follow a list of persons and discussion of subjects unrelated to Japan.]

2. Bonin Islands

Mr. Robertson said that he had sent a letter to Mr. Sprague on July 13 recommending an urgent survey of the number of people that the Bonin Islands can support, a study of possible compensation to former Bonin Islanders whose property is being used by United States forces, and possible visits by Japanese to the Bonins for the purpose of visiting ancestral graves. Mr. Sprague said that he had signed a reply to this letter last evening.²

Admiral Radford said that the United States does possess land records regarding property in the Bonins, that the islands cannot provide livelihood for more than a few people and that some arrangement for religious visits by Japanese could probably be worked out, although past experience indicated that the Japanese would use these visits for purposes other than religious. The Admiral then stated that the Chiefs feel strongly that we are being crowded in the Western Pacific; we have experienced difficulties recently in the Philippines, Ryukyus, Taiwan, and Japan, and the only place where we have had no trouble whatsoever is the Bonins. He commented that the United States will need facilities for guided missiles in this area and that the Bonins and the Marianas, although not ideal, may well be the best available facilities for this purpose. He also noted that the National Security Agency may have to withdraw operations eventually from Japan and that the Bonins might be useful for this. The Admiral concluded that he is reluctant to see us give up real estate which may be very valuable for the United States and which is not of any real value to Japan. He commented that no one had given any thought to the form of government that might be necessary in the Bonins if Japanese were allowed to repatriate; we might even be faced with a situation where the leftist leaders would be taking office.

Mr. Robertson emphasized that it is important to make a survey to determine just how many people the islands can support and also to examine the problem of possible compensation. Mr. Sprague stated that his reply to Mr. Robertson sought to give current Defense information and thinking on the problems which had been raised. Admiral Radford said that CINCPAC can provide information available to him on how many people the islands can support and on the matter of religious visits.

[Here follows discussion of subjects unrelated to Japan.]

1. Source: Department of State, State–JCS Meetings: Lot 61 D 417. Top Secret. The drafting officer is not indicated on the source text. The meeting was attended by all of the Joint Chiefs except General Taylor. General Lemnitzer, Vice Chief of Staff, represented the Army. Murphy and Robertson led the Department of State representatives. Sprague attended for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Robert Amory, Deputy Director for Intelligence, represented the CIA.
2. A summary of both of these letters is included in Document 208.