Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Japan, Volume XXIII, Part 1

108. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State¹

Tokyo, January 16, 1957—5 p.m.

1543. I paid my first call on Prime Minister Ishibashi this morning since my return. Fact that I was going to call was prominently played up in local press with “dope” stories to effect that I was going to discuss with him defense budget. As usual Japanese press presumably on basis of guidance from government officials, if not official government guidance, has portrayed United States as interfering in Japan’s defense budget preparations. This has been continued today as Kyodo publishes substantially accurate account of my talk with Ishibashi which I had understood was confidential.

During this morning’s conversation I told Ishibashi that formation of Japan’s defense budget was matter for Japanese to decide but that in making their decision I hoped Japanese would bear in mind certain considerations. I then pointed out if press reports were accurate and Japan’s defense budget would be no larger than last year’s this could only raise questions in minds of American government and Congress as to true intentions of Japan. I stated that now that Japan had become member of United Nations it had been hope of all of us that she would take larger part in international affairs and be influential factor for peace. However, I did not believe it possible for nation to carry great weight in international councils if it continued to depend primarily on another nation for its self defense. At this point I stated specifically that I was speaking personally and most frankly and that I would not wish to say these same things publicly. Nevertheless I am quoted in Japanese press this afternoon as setting forth these ideas. Ishibashi is notoriously given to press leaks and in previous government he was often said to be source of embarrassing news stories.

I told Ishibashi that our concern was not so much in form of Japan’s defense budget as in substance. What is important is that there be no backward step in gradual increase in Japan’s defense efforts. Ishibashi said he quite agreed and it was his firm intention that there should be gradual increase. However primarily for political reasons it would be impossible in present budget to provide for contemplated increase of 10,000 men in ground forces although requested personnel increases in air and sea forces would be granted. Ishibashi claimed that 10,000 man increase would be provided for in next year’s budget which because of difference in fiscal year periods would mean that this increase would take place during United States fiscal year 1958, only few months behind what would be case if it were provided for in this year’s Japanese fiscal year budget.

Prime Minister was most friendly but also apparently most determined that there be no substantial increase this year in defense budget. He said that increase in contract authorizations and twenty billion yen carry-over from last year’s budget would in fact mean there would be increase in actual defense expenditures over previous year.

Far East Command and Embassy representatives are meeting with Japanese representatives this afternoon to endeavor determine whether or not actual increase in defense expenditure will be greater if Japanese carry out their present plans.

Report on this meeting will be forwarded separately.²

Allison

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.5/1–1657. Confidential.
2. A report on this meeting is in telegram 1546 from Tokyo, January 16. The report does not include any attempt to answer the question posed in the preceding paragraph. For subsequent developments, see Document 110.