Office of the Historian

243. Letter From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama1

December 19, 1956.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Please accept my heartfelt congratulations to the Japanese Government and people upon Japan’s achieving long-deserved membership in the United Nations. All free nations repose in this organization their confidence for the peaceful future of mankind. The membership of Japan makes this concept more meaningful than ever before. The American people rejoice in [Page 487] the action of the General Assembly today and welcome Japan as a new and worthy associate in the world’s struggle for peace.

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower2

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/12–1756. Official Use Only. Transmitted in telegram 1285 to Tokyo, December 17, which is the source text. Telegram 1285 instructed the Embassy to deliver to Hatoyama “Soonest upon Japan’s admission UN.” At the close of the message, the following instructions were also given: “Advise Niact time delivery and arrangements for local release to permit White House to release simultaneously. Department considers public release desirable. In event Hatoyama resigns prior to delivery substitute name of new or acting Prime Minister and inform Department.”

    On December 18, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a 51-nation draft resolution to admit Japan to membership. These General Assembly resolutions followed Security Council recommendations for the admission of the Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Japan, and Ghana to U.N. membership approved at Security Council meetings of February 6, July 20, and December 12.

    On December 18, Chargé Horsey reported from Tokyo in telegram 1339 that “On assumption General Assembly will have acted favorably, have appointment with Hatoyama at 9:30 morning December 19 Tokyo time to deliver message and they agree to release of text simultaneously Tokyo and Washington at that hour. If General Assembly action delayed, I will of course delay delivery and advise new release time.” (Ibid., 310.2/12–1856) Horsey further reported in telegram 1344 from Tokyo, December 19, that the message was delivered on schedule. (Ibid., 310.2/12–1956)

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  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩