Office of the Historian

702.9411/7–1949: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald)

confidential
Washington, July 19, 1949—6 p. m.

342. Dept considering ques of inviting Jap Govt thru SCAP to appoint consular and trade representatives to US. Offices to be established in one or more cities. Ur and Gen MacArthur’s comments urgently requested.1

Limitations on functions of the Reps shld be studied and later agreed upon by SCAP. Presumably consular Reps wld perform usual consular activities with possible exception travel control and direct representation. At least initially they wld probably have some title other than consul. Commercial Reps wld perform usual functions such as trade promotion and economic reporting. Consular and trade Rep might be same individual depending on circumstances. For further info current Dept thinking this general problem see page 1 Dept’s Weekly Review of April 20.

Acheson
  1. In telegram 264, July 28, from Tokyo, Mr. Sebald replied that “MacArthur feels it most desirable in principle for Japan to open offices for trade promotion and limited Consular affairs in United States and elsewhere as soon as practicable and welcomes Department’s proposal.” (702.9411/7–2849)↩