740.00119 Control (Japan)/8–2046
Mr. Ernest A. Gross, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State (Hilldring), to the Secretary General of the Far Eastern Commission (Johnson)
My Dear Mr. Johnson. It is requested that you inform the Far Eastern Commission of arrangements now approved by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers with regard to the appointment of Trade Representatives in Tokyo to represent the trading interests of the countries concerned. This has been a matter of considerable informal discussion with the Far Eastern Commission Members and it now seems desirable that the outcome of such discussions be communicated formally to the Far Eastern Commission. The pertinent material is as follows.
The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has agreed that members of the Far Eastern Commission and other countries having substantial trading interests with Japan may appoint Trade Representatives in Tokyo to have general responsibility for conducting trade between Japan and the areas they represent. The functions of such Trade Representatives are to be as follows:
- 1.
- To know what items are desired by their governments for import from Japan and for export to Japan.
- 2.
- To keep Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers currently informed as to progress of import and export programs, and items requested or suggested by their governments.
- 3.
- To accept for their government terms of sale, with Japanese selling agencies, agreed to by Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
- 4.
- To accept delivery of Japanese exports F.O.B. Japanese port, and to handle details of ocean shipping and insurance just as U. S. Commercial Company does in case of exports to United States.
- 5.
- To deliver to Supreme Commander for Allied Powers all documents from their governments covering imports, and to facilitate such importation and delivery.
- 6.
- To supply Supreme Commander for Allied Powers with all financial data such as costs, sale prices, and claims, and any necessary documents affecting imports from and exports to their governments.
- 7.
- To maintain an operating relationship with military or diplomatic liaison missions which their governments have established in Japan, in order to coordinate action and take care of routine matters such as communications.
Trade Representatives are to be attached to the Allied missions in Tokyo or will be separately accredited to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powders. They will have the right of confidential communications to and from their governments, provided however that all contracts or communications between the Trade Representatives and the Japanese Government or agencies are limited to those authorized by the Supreme Commander.
The appointment of the Trade Representative should be taken up with the Supreme Commander by the head of each country’s liaison mission in Tokyo. If the government concerned has no such liaison mission it should request the Department of State to take up the accrediting of a Trade Representative in Tokyo with the Supreme Commander.
Sincerely yours,