Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume II

711.94/2624

Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

[Tokyo,] September 27, 1941.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs requested me to call upon him this afternoon and for some two hours we discussed in broad outline and in detail various aspects of relations between Japan and the United States. Throughout Admiral Toyoda manifested his determination and desire to cut through the maze of Japanese bureaucracy which has been and in a great number of instances is still hindering the solution of certain problems. In connection with the treatment of American nationals within the Japanese Empire and Japanese-occupied areas the Minister’s obviously sincere efforts have already proved effective, and I am led to believe from his assurances that the early future may show further progress in this direction.…

Admiral Toyoda began the conversation by remarking that, today being the anniversary of the conclusion of the Tripartite Alliance, he had had a tiring day with a long program of attending functions and delivering speeches, but he said that he had asked me to call this afternoon, in order that he might present to me certain thoughts in an “off the record” conversation, as he did not wish to lose any time in stressing again the urgency of receiving with as little delay as possible the reply of the American Government to the proposal put forward by the Japanese Government for a meeting of the responsible leaders of the United States and Japan.

Admiral Toyoda then asked whether I had received any information indicative of the views and attitude of my Government with regard to the proposal. I replied that I had not, but that the Secretary of State had telegraphed me that he had conferred with Admiral Nomura on September 23, that Admiral Nomura had handed to the Secretary certain written material, and that the Secretary had informed Admiral Nomura that he would have the material examined as expeditiously as possible with a view to making an early reply to the proposal of the Japanese Government. Admiral Toyoda made the brief observation that he was gratified to receive that information.

The Foreign Minister’s main purpose in conversation with me today, however, was to have conveyed to the President, through the Secretary of State and myself, the anxiety of Prince Konoye and the entire Cabinet lest the proposed meeting between the heads of our two Governments might be indefinitely delayed, and orally to present various considerations regarding the position of the Japanese Government in connection with the present informal conversations, as follows.

(Begin Minister’s statement.)

1. The whole Atlantic area is engulfed in war and the European continent is in tumult. The Pacific area fortunately has not yet been touched by similar catastrophe. Whether or not the Pacific also is to become involved in the war is a question to which the United States and Japan hold the solution. Not only are the endeavors of Japan to adjust its relations with the United States directed against the spread of war into the Pacific, but also Japan is mindful of its desire for contributing toward the welfare of all mankind by the reestablishment of good relations between our two countries and by their cooperation for the restoration of world peace. The replacing of American-Japanese relations onto their traditional friendly basis has been the object of the Foreign Minister’s continuous thought and effort since his assumption of office some two months ago. Japan’s membership in the Tripartite Pact, however, is a consideration which renders susceptible to serious misunderstanding on the side of Japan’s allies any approach which the Japanese Government might make to the United States, particularly so important an event as a meeting between the responsible heads of the Japanese and American Governments. However, in spite of this risk and in spite of the lack of precedent in Japanese history for a Prime Minister to go abroad to confer with the head of a foreign Government, Prince Konoye is nevertheless determined to meet with President Roosevelt. In thus seeking to adjust its relations with the United States, for the welfare of humanity as a whole as well as for the sake of the two countries directly concerned, Japan’s sincerity is evident.

2. Since there is by no means any thought in Japan that the sacrifice of everything by Japan is required for the maintenance of peace in the Pacific, it would be a most unfortunate conjecture for anyone to assume that Japan, despite its national characteristic of reacting strongly to outside influence, had surrendered to American pressure in making this approach to the United States, an approach which actually is prompted by Japan’s desire to contribute, toward the welfare of the whole world. The Minister was bringing up this point because of past suggestions to this effect appearing in American newspapers. At present, happily, this was not the case. Indeed, the Minister recalled that the Secretary of State had made mention in conversation with the Japanese Ambassador in Washington of the improvement in the tone of the Japanese press, an improvement which was in fact one of considerable degree.

3. Many problems must be solved in facing the question of the reestablishment of good relations between Japan and the United States. Nobody in Japan has any idea that a single meeting between the Prime Minister and the President will resolve these problems. Such readjustment will require time. But the political effects of the very meeting of the heads of Governments would be important. An epochal improvement in Japanese-American relations would evolve from the meeting which, although Admiral Toyoda is of the opinion that divergencies of attitude and policy have been eliminated, nevertheless would remove any differences still outstanding.

4. No objection in principle has been raised by the Government of the United States to the proposed meeting. The favorable atmosphere and auspicious opportunity obtaining at present, however, would be subverted and would not soon recur if response by the American Government should be long delayed or various obstructions should intervene.

5. So far as the current preliminary conversations are concerned, the position of the Japanese Government has been completely set forth. A document embodying a résumé of that position, prepared for the convenience of the American Government and drawn up along the lines of the American draft statement of June 21, was presented to the American Ambassador on September 25.²³ Admiral Toyoda was confident that the American Government would give earnest and careful study to the Japanese position.

6. All details of preparation for the proposed meeting have been completed by the Japanese Government: the personnel of the Prime Minister’s suite, including full admirals and generals, have been confidentially appointed and the ship to carry the party has been put into momentary readiness to sail. (Admiral Toyoda here remarked that Mr. Hull had mentioned to the Japanese Ambassador his fear that the Japanese Government might not be allowed by the Japanese Navy and Army to venture upon any course of peace. The Foreign Minister stated that in order to dissipate doubt as to the collaboration of the Japanese Navy and Army with the Prime Minister’s undertaking, high-ranking naval and military officers would accompany Prince Konoye.) A reply from the United States Government is being momentarily awaited. The first anniversary of the concluding of the Tripartite Pact chances to be celebrated today. A highly delicate situation is being created within Japan by opposition groups who, hoping that this very day might be a turning point in the history of Japan, are moving against the policy of the Cabinet in its endeavors to bring about an improvement in relations with the United States.

7. Weather conditions along the Alaskan coast and in the northern Pacific will worsen with the advent of the season of storms and fog.

8. That from every point of view time is of the essence has been repeatedly stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is his belief that there is every reason to expedite the decision to hold the proposed meeting. He was glad to hear that Mr. Hull had told Admiral Nomura on September 23 that he would with good will and expediency study the papers given him by the Japanese Ambassador. The Foreign Minister would be very grateful to have from the American Government at its earliest convenience an explicit reply in which the place and date of the meeting would be indicated. It would be greatly appreciated by the Japanese Government if the American Government would be pleased to assign some date between October 10 and 15 for the meeting as the Japanese mission is ready to leave at any time.

9. Admiral Toyoda wanted to emphasize the essential necessity for mutual confidence and faith. He was aware that the American Ambassador well knew of the Prime Minister’s feelings, his character and past career, his faith and sincerity. Prince Konoye and the entire Cabinet are of the opinion that if advantage is not taken of the present favorable opportunity another equally propitious occasion could not be expected in the early future. Consummation of the proposed meeting, it was felt, was of the greatest importance.

10. His statement concluded, the Minister remarked that he hoped nothing he had said would be construed as setting a time limit upon the reply awaited from the American Government or as indicating that there would not be given, if requested, further explanation of the position of the Japanese Government. Having regard, however, for the grave situations at present obtaining throughout the world as well as within Japan, the Minister declared an early consummation of the proposed meeting between the heads of the two Governments to be a matter of prime importance. Admiral Toyoda reiterated his hope that his statement would not be misinterpreted.

(End Minister’s statement.)

I informed the Foreign Minister that, although I had already communicated to the Department of State the principal points which he again brought out today, I nevertheless would report to my Government the substance of his statement as completely and precisely as possible.

It may be significant that my appointment with Admiral Toyoda followed almost immediately after the luncheon which he tendered today for the Axis diplomats and at which he made a relatively innocuous speech celebrating the anniversary of the Three Power Pact which was concluded last year. Perhaps by this meeting with me he wished to emphasize to us the fact that Japan’s membership in the Tripartite Pact would not be allowed to obstruct a readjustment of Japanese-American relations, or he may have desired to counteract any adverse effects which his speech might have caused in the United States.

23. Ante, p. 637.