Office of the Historian

213. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan1

Washington, August 29, 1957–8:46 p.m.

515. Joint State–Defense message. Embtel 561.2

1.
Para 4 contains substantive portion Aug 28 letter from Act Asst Sec Def Irwin to Asst Sec State Robertson3 re withdrawal USFJ. All or part this letter may be used in discussions third agenda item Sept 4 meeting Security Committee in discretion Amb and Adm Stump.
2.
If press release planned accordance penultimate para letter notify State and Defense soon as possible content and timing.
3.
Final para letter not intended conflict with Defense instructions to CINCPAC, COMUS Japan and MAAG/J (DEF 927589 Aug 6 sent info Embassy Tokyo)4 that Japan now responsible determination own force goals and US will not recommend force goals for JSDF. Intent is only that US point out US withdrawal in response to wishes of Japanese people will weaken defense of Japan until such time as Japan adequately increases its own forces to compensate for reduction US forces.
4.
Substantive text letter follows.

“Preliminary plans provide for withdrawal approximately 39,500 of US forces now stationed Japan with target date for reduction to be completed by June 30, 1958. However timing withdrawal certain units and assigned personnel included in total planned force reduction requires further study within Defense.

Combat elements Army ground forces consisting 5,114 personnel will be withdrawn by December 31, 1957. Withdrawal of remaining force Army ground combat elements is planned and included in overall force reduction. Marine Corps ground combat units will be withdrawn by November 1957. Certain Army logistic and administrative forces, certain other Marine Corps units and certain Air and Naval forces will be withdrawn from Japan on a schedule resulting from plans and details now being worked out for that purpose and to be carried out by June 30, 1958. CINCPAC has been directed to instruct [Page 457] COMUS Japan consult with Amb MacArthur and make available information to Japanese concerning these withdrawals and reduction forces as soon as firm and detailed plans are developed.

Overall reduction will be carried out by inactivation certain units and relocation some units in Far East as part plan for redeployment US forces in Pacific Command area and by returning other units to US. First Cavalry Division Army will be transferred to Korea in name only without transfer personnel concurrent with return to US 24th Infantry Division now Korea, also without personnel. (Target for this is October 15, 1957).

In view US agreement to consult with Japan regarding future withdrawals US forces and importance such information to Japan it is recommended that plan and related information outlined above be discussed with Prime Minister Kishi as soon as practicable on a confidential basis and a coordinated and timely press release worked out with Japanese authorities so as to serve best and mutual interest Japan and US.

Planned reduction US forces Japan will have an impact on combined US-Japan defense capability for defense of Japan. This situation should be reviewed with Japanese in light Security Treaty and its importance to Japan as well as the US. Thus in discussing withdrawal US forces with Japanese officials it is considered important to point out that there does not seem to be any firm program on part Japan to increase its defense capability on a timely basis to compensate for reduction US forces by June 30, 1958.”

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.5/8–2757. Confidential; Priority. Drafted in NA, cleared with the Department of Defense, and approved by Jones. Repeated priority to CINCPAC (with instructions to pass to POLAD) and to COMUS Japan.↩
  2. In telegram 561 from Tokyo, August 27, MacArthur reported on plans to discuss U.S. troop withdrawals from Japan at the second meeting of the Security Committee to be held September 4. (Ibid., 794.5/8–2757)↩
  3. Not found.↩
  4. See footnote 13, Document 208.↩