711.94/4–3046
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
No. 398
[Received May 9.]
Sir: I have the honor to bring to the Department’s attention intelligence uncovered by American authorities in Japan, presumably from examination of the files of the Japanese Navy Ministry, which gives clear evidence of Japanese hostile preparations coincident with the Kurusu Mission to the United States.75
The following quotations of telegrams from the highest Japanese Naval authorities to the fleet commanders are taken from translations made by the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, Military Intelligence Section, General Headquarters, SCAP, of directives and orders from the Navy Staff Section of Imperial General Headquarters. A single copy of the summaries of this series of directives Nos. 1 to [Page 431] 35, and one copy of the translations of the orders Nos. 1 to 57, November 5, 1941, to September 2, 1945, are enclosed.76
It will be noted that on November 5, 1941, the date on which the Kurusu Mission was announced, the following messages were despatched (underlining77 added for emphasis):
(Directive No. 1)
“From: Chief of Naval General Staff, Nagano
To: CinC of the Combined Fleet, Yamamoto
At the appropriate time the Combined Fleet will dispatch the necessary forces to the predetermined key points in anticipation of the inevitable opening of hostilities with the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands within the first ten days of December”
(Directive No. 2)
“From: Chief of Naval General Staff, Nagano
To: CinC of the China Area Fleet, Koga
The CinC of the China Area fleet will hasten the preparation of various ships for operations in preparation for the inevitable opening of hostilities with the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands within the first ten days of December”
(Order No. 2)
“From: Chief of Naval General Staff, Nagano
To: Commanders of the Naval Bases at Kure, Sasebo, Yokosuka, and Maizuru; Commanders of the Naval Stations at Chinka, Maro, Ominato, and Port Arthur
It is feared that there will be a war with the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands. Therefore, for the sake of existence and self-defense, the Empire must be completely prepared for military operations by the first part of December.”
That this order deployment of “the necessary forces to the predetermined key points” had been carried out by November 21 is indicated by the following message of that date:
(Directive No. 5)
“From: Chief of Naval General Staff, Nagano
To: CinC of the Combined Fleet, Yamamoto
If the Japan–United States negotiations are successful, the CinC of the Combined Fleet immediately will muster and recall the operation forces.”
By December 1, the definite decision for war appears to have been made: on that date the following order was despatched by the Navy Staff Section of the Imperial General Headquarters to Admiral Yamamoto:
(Order No. 9)
- “(a) The Empire will begin war with the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands in the first part of December.”
- (b) The CinC of the Combined Fleet must destroy the existing enemy fleet and aircraft strength in eastern waters. At the same time, if the enemy fleet attacks, they must be annihilated.
- (c) The CinC of the Combined Fleet will cooperate with the CinC of the Southern Army in securing the occupation of important districts in the south and must invade important United States, British, and Dutch bases in East Asia.
- (d) The CinC of the Combined Fleets will cooperate in the operations of the China Area Fleet as he sees fit.
- (e) Regarding the above matters, the proper time for the operation of motivating our strength will be indicated in a later order.”
This message was followed the next day, December 2, 1941, by Order No. 12:
“From: Chief of Naval General Staff, Nagano
To: CinC of the Combined Fleets, Yamamoto
- (a)
- After 8 Dec. the CinC of the Combined Fleet will start operations according to Order No. 9 (see above).
- (b)
- Timely operations must be started against Holland following those against the United States and Great Britain.”
Respectfully yours,
- Saburo Kurusu, former Japanese Ambassador in Belgium and in Germany, was sent as a special ambassador to the United States in November 1941 to assist the Japanese Ambassador (Nomura) in the conversations then proceeding, terminated on December 7, 1941.↩
- Enclosures not printed.↩
- Portions underlined in the original are here indicated by italics.↩