Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

894.011/12–2746

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Hilldring) to the United States Representative on the Far Eastern Commission (McCoy)

[Washington,] December 27, 1946.

In accordance with instructions of December 18, 1946, from the State–War–Navy Coordinating Committee,⁶⁹ there is enclosed a “Statement of United States Policy Toward Announcement of the Provisions for the Review of the New Japanese Constitution”, comprising the substance of the conclusions of SWNCC 288 [228]/12, which was approved informally by the State–War–Navy Coordinating Committee on December 18, 1946.

In discussions on this subject in the Far Eastern Commission, the United States Member should be guided by the enclosed statement of United States position.

J. H. Hilldring

[Annex]

Statement of United States Policy Toward Announcement of the Provisions for the Review of the New Japanese Constitution

It is concluded that the U.S. position should be as follows:

“The U.S. Government will not agree to the publication of the Policy Decision contained in FEC 031/41 until, after consultation with General MacArthur, the U.S. Government concludes that such publication is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and the accomplishment of Allied objectives in Japan.”

69. Not printed.