794.5 MSP/6–2653
No. 656
The Ambassador in Japan (Allison) to the Department of State
No. 2790
Tokyo, June 26, 1953.
Subject:
The following are enclosed for information:
- 1.
- An English translation of a note in Japanese dated June 24,
1953 bearing the seal of the Foreign Ministry. This note
requests information regarding certain aspects of the United
States Mutual Security Act.
- 2.
- Copy of the Embassy’s reply dated June 26, 1953.
For the Ambassador:
John
M. Steeves
First Secretary of EmbassyEnclosure No. 1
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to the United States Embassy
No. 914/EA1
Note Verbale
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America in Japan and, with regard to
the United States assistance to foreign countries under the Mutual
Security Act, has the honor to inform the Embassy that the Ministry,
with the knowledge that the Government of the United States is
prepared to extend, if Japan wishes, such assistance to her, has
been studying the matter from various angles, because of the
importance of its effects, and has in this connection further the
honor to request the Embassy to indicate the official views of the
Government of the United States on the following points:
[Page 1446]
- (1)
- The fundamental objective of the United States’ assistance
to foreign countries under the Mutual Security Program is
understood to maintain and promote security of the free
world; and in case when the assistance to Japan under the
same program is given, the Japanese Government understands
that the afore-mentioned fundamental objective is to be
fully accomplished by enabling Japan, through the assistance
to be received, to ensure its internal security and its home
defense. Is this understanding correct?
- (2)
- In so far as the assistance to Japan contemplated by the
U.S. Government under the Mutual Security Program is
intended to assist Japan’s defense effort, the Japanese
Government will deem that, in the consideration of the
defense capacities of Japan, the economic stability and
development of Japan shall be its prerequisite, Is this
understanding correct?
- (3)
- It is the understanding of the Government of Japan that,
in receiving the assistance referred to above, it is bound
by the applicable provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 511
of the Mutual Security Act. In this connection, is it
correct to understand:
- (a)
- that the requirements for the fulfillment of the
“military obligations”, as provided under
sub-paragraph (3) of the said paragraph (a) of
Section 511, will be met, in the case of Japan, by
the fulfillment of the obligations which Japan has
already assumed under the Security Treaty between
the United States of America and Japan?
- (b)
- that, with regard to sub-paragraph (4) of the said
paragraph (a), the requirements for Japan for the
“development and maintenance of its own defensive
strength” will be sufficiently met if it is carried
out to such extent as permitted by Japan’s general
economic condition and consistent with Japan’s
political and economic stability?
Enclosure No. 2
The United States Embassy to the
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
No. 2416
The Embassy of the United States presents its compliments to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with reference to the matters raised
in the Ministry’s Note of June 24, 1953, concerning the Mutual
Security Program of the United States, has the honor to state under
instructions from its Government that:
- 1.
- Assistance under the Mutual Security Program is primarily
designed to maintain and promote the security of the free
world and any assistance for which Japan may become eligible
under this Program will be designed to further the main
objectives of the Program by enabling Japan to safeguard its
internal security and to
[Page 1447]
exercise more effectively its
inherent right of voluntary individual or collective
self-defense as guaranteed in Article 5 (c) of the Treaty of
Peace.
- 2.
- In the planning of an assistance program for Japan
economic stability will be an essential element for
consideration in the development of Japan’s self-defense
capacities. While the Mutual Security Program is premised on
the assumption by each participant of its full share of the
economic requirements involved, it is, of course, understood
that a recipient country can contribute only to the extent
permitted by its general economic condition and capacities.
Moreover, it is expected that the possibility of United
States procurement in Japan of materials required for the
Mutual Security Program would be increased if Japan decided
to participate in the Program.
- 3.
- Any assistance which may be extended under the Mutual
Security Act is conditioned upon agreement with the
provisions of Section 511 (a) of the Mutual Security Act.
The requirements for the fulfillment of military obligations
as a condition for the receipt of aid will be met in the
case of Japan by the fulfillment of those obligations which
Japan has already assumed under the Security Treaty between
the United States and Japan. There is nothing in the Mutual
Security Program or any existing treaty obligation between
the United States and Japan which requires Japan to use its
security forces except in self-defense. Sub-paragraph 4 of
Section 511 would, of course, call for only such
contribution by Japan as would be “consistent with its
political and economic stability” and “permitted by its
manpower, resources, facilities, and general economic
conditions.”
The concept of mutual security is based on the realization that it
can be achieved only to the extent that those who receive aid from
the United States should do their utmost to help themselves and to
cooperate among themselves and with the United States to the fullest
degree in achieving the objectives of the free world. It is the
affirmed desire of the United States to continue to use its
resources for the purpose of uniting the efforts of those countries
which receive assistance in order that positive accomplishments
toward mutual security be achieved with a maximum of efficiency and
a minimum of delay and cost.
