740.00114 PW/9–746: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9—6 p.m.]
398. In regard to allegations in press statement of 6 September by Soviet member Allied Council that this Headqarters had broken agreement relating to question of repatriation of Japanese nationals, General Headquarters last night issued to press following statement made by me as Chief of SCAP Diplomatic Section:
“With a view to completing as soon as possible the repatriation program, conversations between SCAP representatives and the Soviet member of Allied Council were initiated in June 1946 and dealt in the [Page 310] first instance with the question of repatriation of Japanese from northern Korea. The subject matter was later extended to the question of repatriating Japanese from Manchuria and the Dairen–Port Arthur area of China. It was impossible to reach an agreement and the conversations terminated in July when the Soviet member made it known that he was not authorized to discuss the repatriation of any but Japanese civilians from northern Korea and certain Japanese civilians in the area of south Manchuria above-mentioned, and that he did not wish to proceed with the discussion of the remaining repatriation problems as a whole, involving the hundreds of thousands of Japanese prisoners of war in Soviet hands. SCAP representatives made known to the Soviet member that SCAP had shipping readily available to effect the repatriation. For all other sectors and with all other nations complete agreement on all repatriation problems was readily accomplished without friction and in entire accordance with the Potsdam terms.
Repatriation of Japanese soldiers, prisoner[s] of war, in overseas areas was undertaken pursuant to the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration that ‘the Japanese military forces, after being completely disarmed, shall be permitted to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead peaceful and productive lives.’ The repatriation of Japanese civilians on a broad scale from various overseas areas was undertaken by this Headquarters purely for humanitarian reasons, as no obligation to do so rests upon the Supreme Commander. The obligation stipulated in the Potsdam Declaration as to prisoners of war does rest upon all the directly concerned Allied Governments.
Following the termination of the conversations, the entire matter of the repatriation of Japanese military and civilian personnel from areas under the control of Soviet forces was referred to Washington for discussion on a governmental level. It is understood that there are still unrepatriated an estimated 800,000 Japanese troops who were captured by Soviet forces in Manchuria and northern Korea.
As regards the somewhat related question of the sending to Sakhalin from Japan of families of Japanese fishermen now in Sakhalin, the position of this Headquarters is simple one based upon a sense of justice and humanity. It would not be right to send Japanese women and children to Sakhalin under restrictive circumstances without full assurance that they would be permitted to return with their husbands and fathers if they wish. Such assurance has not as yet been given this Headquarters by the Soviet. Until such assurance is forthcoming, to send the fishermen’s families to Sakhalin would amount to deportation. We do not believe in deporting women and children from their homes.”