740.00119 FEAC (Info)/2–447: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Bishop)
33. FEC 6: Atomic Research. U.S. Govt policy in past has been to prohibit all Japanese research in field of atomic energy but owing to severe criticism connected with destruction of Japanese cyclotrons U.S. Govt desired FEC decision on matter. Consequently introduced into FEC policy paper permitting very restricted Japanese research into fundamental nuclear fission similar to that permitted in Germany. This policy emphatically rejected by FEC which on Jan 30 adopted policy24 prohibiting for present all Japanese research in field [Page 176] of atomic energy, all development or construction in Japan for utilization of atomic energy and mining, processing and refining of radioactive materials except under specific approval and surveillance of SCAP. Policy decision contemplates future control of atomic research and development in Japan will be governed by United Nations decisions and especial restrictive policies established for disarmament of Japan. Policy will be published after communication to SCAP.
Publication of Review Policy. AP dispatch dated Tokyo Jan 10, published in some U.S. newspapers, contained some facts regarding FEC policy decision regarding review of new Japanese constitution. FEC took note of this leakage in Tokyo and at Steering Committee Jan 14 motion introduced that Commission publish review decision in view of partial leakage and misleading impression given of FEC in dispatch under reference. Motion carried by eight votes to one, U.S. member voting in negative in accordance with SWNCC decision and China and Philippines abstaining. Matter since tabled in full Commission at request U.S. representative pending review of publication decision by SWNCC.
- For text, see Department of State, Far Eastern Series No. 24: Activities of the Far Eastern Commission, Report by the Secretary General, February 26, 1946–July 10, 1947 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1947), p. 109.↩