740.00119 Control (Japan)/1–1046
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 23.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose copy of a memorandum of conversation dated January 8, 1946,42 reporting a conversation which took place on that date between Mr. Narahashi Wataru, Chief of the Cabinet Legislative Bureau, and a member of the staff of this Mission.
Summary of Mr. Narahasi’s remarks. Following the issuance of the January “purge” directive, the Cabinet divided as to the course of action it should take, one group favoring resignation en bloc without further participation in government, another proposing a reshuffling of five or six cabinet posts, and the last suggesting resignation en bloc to be followed by formation of new Cabinet under Shidehara, bringing in new members, some from the political parties. Mr. Narahashi favors the last course. Cabinet members Tsugita, Horikiri, Matsumura, Tanaka, Miyoshi, Maeda and Matsumoto,43 eighty percent of the Home Ministry, one hundred fifty Peers, and one hundred members of the House of Representatives may be affected by directives. Only a government headed by Shidehara, who is politically neutral, can assure a “fair” election. An “investigative court” should be established to determine which officials should be removed under the directives in order to avoid injustices liable to arise through blanket application. End of Summary.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩
- Daisaburo Tsugita, Minister Without Portfolio and Chief Cabinet Secretary; Zenjiro Horikiri, Home Minister; Kenzo Matsumura, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; Takeo Tanaka, Transportation Minister; Miyoshi, Vice-Chief Cabinet Secretary; Tamon Maeda, Minister of Education; and Joji Matsumoto, Minister Without Portfolio.↩