Office of the Historian

236. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, October 15, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • The OCB Progress Report on Japan:2 State–Defense Split on Ryukyus

The NSC will consider on October 17 the Progress Report by the Operations Coordinating Board on United States policy toward Japan (NSC 5516/1)3 covering the period from February 7, 1957. This report, concurred in by the Board on September 25, emphasizes the necessity for a vigorous follow-up of the Kishi visit. It submits for NSC resolution a split between the Departments of State and Defense as to whether a separate NSC policy paper is required on the Ryukyu Islands. The opposing views are set forth in detail in Annex C of the Report.4 (Copy of draft Progress Report attached)

The reasons for a separate NSC policy paper on the Ryukyus are:

A.
There is a clear need for coordinated United States Government agency actions with respect to the Ryukyu Islands where we are confronted with a highly complex delicate situation, which also has a direct bearing on our relations with Japan and on our reputation before the world.
1.
The Ryukyus are located on the doorstep of Asia where nationalist and anti-colonialist feelings are running high.
2.
The Ryukyus are the only place in the world where the United States can be charged with colonialism. We should make the Ryukyus a showcase for American democracy in the Pacific.
3.
Japan is seeking early return of the Islands to Japanese control and meanwhile aspires to some participation in their administration. Japan wittingly or otherwise is abetting reversionist sentiment in the Islands.
4.
Reversionism is also encouraged by the Ryukyuans’ lack of national identity. They see no possibility of attaining one except through reversion to Japan as they have no affinity to the United States and little chance of survival as an independent nation. Since the Islands eventually are to revert to Japan, our policies and actions in the Ryukyus over the next few years should be carefully planned.
5.
The need for long-range economic planning and for placing the Islands on a more self-sufficient footing is accentuated by the lessened prospective military construction program. Here, too, interagency planning is necessary.
B.
The current Executive Order, being a published document setting forth general objectives and operating procedures, is no substitute for an NSC policy paper.
C.
There is no less need for an NSC paper with respect to the Ryukyus than there is with respect to other areas and problems in the field of foreign affairs. An NSC paper and its implementing OCB procedures would ensure coordinated United States Government activities toward the Islands.

Recommendation:

That you support the position favoring a separate NSC policy paper for the Ryukyus.5

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794C.0221/10–1557. Secret. Drafted in NA on October 14.↩
  2. Dated September 25, not printed. (Ibid., S/S–NSC Files: Lot 63 D 351, NSC 5516 Series)↩
  3. Document 28.↩
  4. Not found.↩
  5. The source text bears no indication of approval or action, but see Document 238.↩