File No. 711.942/76.

The Japanese Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

Sir: In reply to your inquiry about landownership in Japan and Korea I have the honor under instructions of the Imperial Government to state that landownership in Japan will be regulated by the law of the country, and foreigners and foreign corporations who comply with the terms of the provisions of the law will acquire the right of ownership of land. In return for the rights of landownership which are granted Japanese by laws of the various States of the United States the Imperial Government will by liberal interpretation of the law be prepared to grant landownership to American citizens [Page 627] from all the States, reserving for the future, however, the right of maintaining the condition of reciprocity with respect to the separate States.

The rights in real property acquired by Americans in Korea will be respected. As to the recognition of the title deeds registered in the American Consulate General at Seoul, the Imperial Government are now considering the question with the American Embassy at Tokyo and believe that it will be solved satisfactorily to both parties. In case of the extension of the law of landownership to Korea it will be applied to all foreigners in general including American citizens upon their fulfillment of the provisions of the law on the subject.

Accept [etc.]

Y. Uchida.