711.942/484: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

32. 1. According to the press, an Imperial ordinance providing for most-favored-nation treatment for American goods after the expiration of the treaty will be issued on January 24, 1940 in response, it is said, to the recent American decision not to impose for the time being discriminating duties upon Japanese goods,13 thereby providing for the continuance of friendly commercial relations between Japan and the United States despite the lapse of the treaty. As the United States has given no indication of its position in regard to the question of right of residence, this matter will be dealt with administratively rather than by regulation, it is declared.

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2. The Foreign Office stated to us, in the course of an informal conversation last week, that the Japanese customs and shipping laws were being examined with a view to extending most-favored-nation treatment to American goods and shipping after the termination of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation. The conclusion reached was that the Japanese customs law and shipping laws do not provide for any discriminatory duties or fees and that therefore all that could be done was to assure the extension to the United States of the benefits of low tariff conventions. The tariff conventions above referred to are those concluded with France, Italy and Indo-China. The only important items of imports from the United States which will be affected by the forthcoming ordinance and will therefore continue to enjoy the lower conventional duty are automobiles and parts thereof.

3. The Foreign Office also stated that the regulations with regard to the entry and residence of aliens will be enforced in respect of American citizens in a manner corresponding precisely with the regulations enforced by the United States in respect of the entry and residence of Japanese.

Grew
  1. See press release No. 19–75 issued by the Treasury Department, December 22, 1939, ibid., p. 195.