740.00119 Control (Japan)/4–2346: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 27—6:33 p.m.]
185. 1. In addition to duties in connection with Allied Council, functions of new diplomatic section (reDeptel unnumbered, March 162142 Z78 and our 182, April 1979) are as follows:
- “(a) To make recommendations on policies concerning foreign relations of Japan and Korea.
- (b) To make recommendations concerning establishment of foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices in Japan and Korea and maintain contact with such foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices as are established in Japan. (Relationships of foreign diplomatic [Page 215] and consular officials with Jap Govt are conducted through SCAP and the diplomatic section is to be the SCAP section charged with conduct of SCAP’s relations with such foreign officials).
- (c) To collect, correlate and maintain in useable form information on international affairs relating to Japan and Korea, and from time to time inform and advise SCAP on such of the aforementioned information as may be pertinent to conduct of his duties.
- (d) To maintain a branch of section in Yokohama for purpose of performing consular functions, and supervise such other agencies of United States Dept of State as may be established in Japan.
- (e) To maintain contact with United
States Dept of State as
follows:
- (1)
- Submit opinions and recommendations to Dept of State through SCAP and War Dept on special subjects when such opinions and recommendations are requested by Dept of State through War Dept.
- (2)
- Send such reports and information as may be appropriate to Dept of State through SCAP and War Dept.
- (3)
- Communicate directly with Dept of State on routine matters of interest to that Dept, such as personnel, accounts, consular matters, transmittal of publications, press analyses, copies of directives et cetera and receipt of informational material.”
2. It appears at present that there will be no substantial change in our method of communications to or receiving communications from Dept either by telegraph or mail except in connection with policy matters covered by e (1) above. General MacArthur states that he is entirely agreeable to suggestions in Dept’s unnumbered telegram of March 162142 Z and both SCAP and this office are in full concurrence as regards Dept keeping procedures as simple as possible in order to avoid burdening General Headquarters, War or State with unnecessary complexities and to expediting of business. It is General MacArthur’s concept that, in addition to duties in connection with Allied Council and such advisory duties as he assigns to Political Adviser, section should handle in usual way, subject to emergencies of local conditions, all State Dept and Foreign Service matters such as would normally fall upon an office or mission which eventually will develop into an Embassy. While cognizant of eventual desirability of reestablishment of consular and foreign offices in Japan, it is felt that Yokohama branch should for time being continue without any formal change in status, and under our general supervision continue to perform routine American consular duties as a branch of diplomatic section, its communications with Dept to be through 8th Army as heretofore.
3. We are to be given access by SCAP to any information which Dept may desire and may forward to Dept by such desired publications, press analyses, staff sections reports and reviews et cetera. [Page 216] The weekly report on political party developments properly lies within functions of government section and will be discontinued so far as this section is concerned. In the light of voluminous press analyses and other data prepared by SCAP in mimeographed form and forwarded to Dept, there would seem to be no need for weekly press telegram which we previously submitted. It is understood that SCAP furnishes War Dept daily telegraphic report of activities and also a comprehensive monthly review. Assembly arrangements can be made for Dept to receive copies of these reports from War Dept and there accordingly may be no need for our continuing weekly political and economic telegraphic review which we previously submitted. This review, however, can be continued if Dept desires and our staff personnel problems are solved. Our suggestion would be that after consultation with War Dept in regard to receipt of SCAP reports, Dept may wish to review its information requirements and inform us what specifically is desired from us within general framework of our functions.
4. Above indicates urgent need for full review of personnel needs and qualifications. Work in connection with Council will be heavy and, in addition to requiring major portion of my time, will mean almost full time for Bishop and part time for Sebald and possible on [possibly an?] other auxiliary officer. Service is in hospital with slight case jaundice and is expected to remain there for about six weeks. We are in urgent need of an executive officer and it would be very helpful if Johansen could be instructed to come at once without awaiting completion of arrangements for coming of his family.
[For text of memorandum by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy, dated April 25, 1946, on “Principles and procedures regarding policy-making and administration of occupied areas” of Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea, see volume V, page 674.]