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

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

Tokyo, February 25, 1957—3 p.m.

1848. For Secretary and Robertson. Re Embtel 1847.² I had opportunity talk privately with Kishi this morning at Imperial Palace before presenting my credentials. After congratulating him on forthcoming designation as Prime Minister, I asked his views about domestic political situation and particularly when there might be elections.

Kishi replied he hoped get budget passed by early April but did not believe there should be elections before next year or latter part this year at earliest. He said in addition to Prime Ministership he would retain Foreign Ministry and wished work closely with me.

I said I knew he would be much preoccupied this week in organizing his government and did not wish press him for early meeting but would like call on him to have good general discussion about pending issues between our two countries as soon as he could receive me. Kishi was most cordial and friendly and indicated he also wanted go over common problems with me at an early date.

While obviously Kishi has delicate internal political situation and will wish avoid charges he is too pro–American, our judgment is we will be able to do business on better basis with him than Ishibashi. Therefore I would like be in position when I see Kishi to let him know privately that President would welcome his visiting US some time in May if this feasible from his viewpoint. In terms our over–all objectives and new situation we entering in our relations with Japan, I think very important to let Kishi know that President would welcome visit. I would appreciate knowing whether I can so inform Kishi privately when I next call on him. It may be Kishi will not find it feasible to visit US in May because of Japanese domestic political situation but we believe such an invitation would be warmly welcomed and would be very helpful.

In conveying invitation to Kishi I would expect say President and Secretary had authorized me to convey invitation when I first saw Ishibashi for Kishi and Ishibashi to visit Washington but that latter’s health now unhappily having altered circumstances, we wished Kishi know he would be most welcome.

It is important that there not be leaks re invitation. I would recommend Japanese Embassy Washington not be informed re invitation till I have talked to Kishi and reported his reaction.³

MacArthur

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 123–MacArthur, Douglas. Secret.

2. Dated February 25, telegram 1847 reads:

   “I presented my credentials to Emperor this morning. Emperor immediately inquired as to President’s health. I replied that President was in excellent health and that I had seen him just prior my departure from Washington. I conveyed President’s greetings and best wishes and Emperor asked that his own best wishes be conveyed to President. Emperor expressed deep appreciation for US assistance to Japan.” (Ibid.)

3. In telegram 1894 to Tokyo, March 8, the Department informed the Embassy that the President had approved extending an invitation to Kishi to visit Washington May 8–10. (Ibid., 033.9411/3–857) See Document 124.