894.74/284
Memorandum by Mr. Max W. Schmidt of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs7
In connection with the Japanese attack on the United States, the following dates and hours taken from translated transcripts of radio broadcasts from Tokyo, Japan, sent to the Department by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on January 16, 19428 (File no. 894.74/278) may be of interest.
Translation of radio broadcast from Station JZI, December 8, 1941 (Japan time):9
“With our army and navy entering in a state of war with England and America at dawn of the 8th …*
“… the Imperial army and navy headquarters at 6 am on the 8th announced that our army and navy entered a state of war with [Page 772] England and America in the Western Pacific at dawn today, the 8th …
“… a Domei dispatch from Honolulu (sic) reported that our naval air force raided Honolulu at 7 am Hawaiian time, which is 3:05 am Japan time …
“… according to the announcement made by the headquarters of our fleet in China waters … our Commander-in-Chief” sent staff officers to the British and American gunboats at Shanghai “immediately after our country entered in a state of war at 5:40 am …” (presumably Shanghai time).
With regard to the American Marines stationed in north China, it is stated that “the disarming of the marines was carried out at 1 pm today” (December 8, 1941).
“… our Government at 7 am today (December 8, 1941) held an emergency session of the cabinet at the premier’s residence …
“According to a Domei dispatch from Washington, Foreign Minister Togo reported by order Envoys Kurusu and Nomura to call on Secretary of State Hull at 1:00 P.M. on the 7th (Washington time), 3:30 A.M. of the 8th Japan time …” (This translation is undoubtedly garbled and probably should read that Foreign Minister Togo ordered Envoys Kurusu and Nomura, etc.)
“… At the same time (sic), Foreign Minister Togo invited American Ambassador to Japan, Grew, to his official residence at 7:30 A.M. today and handed him an official note similar to the one handed to Secretary of State Hull. Immediately afterwards at 7:45 A.M., he invited British Ambassador to Japan, Craigie and explained to him the text of this reply.
“Immediately after our loyal Army and Navy had entered a state of war with England and America at dawn today, it was decided to break off diplomatic relations with both countries and enter a state of war. Consequently, our government at 11:45 A.M. today (December 8, 1941, Japan time) declared war against England and America …10
“At 8:30 A.M. today (December 8, 1941, Japan time), our government made the Foreign Ministry announce the results of the Japanese-American negotiation and the Japanese-American notes …
“At dawn today, December 8, (Japan time), the announcement of the Imperial Army and Navy headquarters to the effect that our Imperial Army and Navy will enter a state of war against American and British forces in the Western Pacific at dawn today was made public throughout our country through the radios and newspapers … Then with the issuing of the Imperial decree declaring war at 11:45 A.M. (December 8, 1941, Japan time), the nation’s determination to march forward and support the emperor’s will gushed forth …
“Japanese residents abroad, an Imperial decree declaring war against England and America was issued at 11:45 am, December 8, Japan time …”
It may be noted that throughout the broadcasts on December 8 and 9 (according to the F. B. I. translation) the Japanese in general emphasized that the attacks made upon British and American bases throughout the Pacific area coincided with “dawn”, of the day corresponding to December 8, 1941, Japan time, over those various bases. The hour of the issuance of the Imperial decree declaring war on the United States and Great Britain is repeatedly given as 11:45 A.M., December 8, 1941, Japan time.
- Initialed by the Chief of the Division (Hamilton); noted by the Secretary of State.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Omissions indicated in the original.↩
- Underscoring added. [Footnote in the original. Underscored words are here printed in italics.]↩
- Marginal notation by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck): “Fait accompli?”↩