Office of the Historian

740.00119 Control (Japan)/12–1245

The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
No. 93
Tokyo, December 12, 1945.
[Received December 28.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to this Mission’s despatch No. 56, November 14, 1945, transmitting copies of directives to the Japanese Government in regard to the termination of conduct of direct relations between Japan and foreign countries, and to enclose a copy of a directive from the Supreme Commander to the Japanese Government dated December 10, 1945, on the subject of cessation of communications between the Japanese Government and its former diplomatic and consular representatives abroad. There is also enclosed a copy of a directive to the Japanese Government dated December 8, 1945, on the subject of the relations of the Japanese Government with foreign diplomats in Japan.

Respectfully yours,

George Atcheson, Jr.
[Enclosure 1]
Directive by the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers, Japan (MacArthur) to the Japanese Government
AG 091.1 (10 Dec 45) GS
[Tokyo,] 10 December, 1945.

Memorandum for: Imperial Japanese Government

1.
Except as authorized by this Headquarters, the Japanese Government will, from the receipt of this Memorandum, discontinue all communication between itself and former Japanese diplomatic and consular representatives abroad for any purpose other than to effect compliance with the provisions of the Memorandum dated 25 October 1945 from this Headquarters, subject “Transfer of Custody of Diplomatic and Consular Archives and Property,” and for the purpose of informing such representatives of the provisions of this Memorandum.
2.
Receipt of this Directive will be acknowledged.
For the Supreme Commander:
H. W.Allen

Colonel, A.G.D.
Asst. Adjutant General
[Page 882]
[Enclosure 2]
Directive by the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers, Japan (MacArthur) to the Japanese Government
AG 091.1 (8 Dec 45) GS
[Tokyo,] 8 December, 1945.

Memorandum for: Imperial Japanese Government.

With reference to the two questions raised in the memorandum dated 29 November 1945 received from Mr. S. Matsushima, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, during his call at this headquarters on 29 November 1945, you are directed as follows:

1.
Official communications dealing with pending questions or with routine functions of protection of Japanese nationals in neutral countries, which the Japanese Government wishes to transmit to neutral governments or the representatives thereof, will be delivered to this headquarters through the usual channel, for transmittal to the governments or representatives concerned, in sufficient copies to permit necessary distribution.
2.
Compliance with memorandum from this headquarters subject: Official Relations Between Japanese Government and Representatives of Neutral Nations, file AG 091.1 (4 Nov 45) GS,46 will not relieve the Japanese Government of its responsibility to provide suitable quarters, fuel, subsistence, medical and other care to foreign diplomats on the standard scale and in accord with international custom as announced in memorandum from this headquarters, subject: Treatment of Foreign Diplomats in Japan, file AG 091.112(21 Oct 45) GD.47
3.
Such contacts will be maintained with foreign diplomats as may be necessary to provide them with food and other facilities in accord with paragraph 2 above. Official matters such as covered in paragraph 1 above will not be discussed.

For the Supreme Commander:
H. W. Allen

Colonel, A.G.D.
Asst. Adjutant General
  1. Ante, p. 852.↩
  2. Not printed.↩