711.94/1454: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—10:40 a.m.]
199. The press reports that the Foreign Minister made the following reply to an interpellation in regard to Japanese-American relations in the Budget Committee of the Lower House this morning: [Page 58]
“With respect to Japanese-American relations, we have been concerned that they have not been satisfactory of late. However, we by no means think that improvement is impossible. We are making and are determined to continue to make every effort toward improvement. The fundamental cause of Japanese-American relations reaching their present state, the focal point of which is the China incident, lies in the failure of the American Government and people fully to understand Japanese thought and action relating to the incident. The Government has exerted every effort in this connection but has not succeeded in having the United States recognize our real intentions or the new world situation. Each country has its own viewpoint and interests, and in some instances these cannot be understood no matter how they are explained. Present day Japanese-American relations are in a stage, I think, where the United States because of its relations with China or because of traditional habits of thought is not yet able to understand the Imperial Government’s thought and actions. Nevertheless, the Imperial Government will exert every effort towards such understanding. It is of greater importance that not only should the Government and its representatives make every endeavor to explain in order that American public opinion may receive a correct understanding of the situation but that the Japanese people from all classes and quarters should discuss the problem from every angle in order that they too may convey correct understanding. In short, the Government does not think that Japanese-American relations are stalemated and that nothing can be done. We intend to make every possible effort to change the conception prevailing in public and private circles in the United States.”
Shanghai please repeat to Peiping and Chungking.