246. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State1
1460. Pass Defense. Embtel 1453.2 This is joint message from Ambassador MacArthur and General Smith. Japanese-American Committee on Security held third meeting on afternoon of November 27. Full report with text of statements follows by pouch. Following is summary:
I. At opening of meeting FonMin Fujiyama expressed concern about Socialist allegations (Embtel 1416)3 during recent Diet session that Security Committee has very rigid jurisdiction and is ineffective. He expressed view committee could consider any problems relating to security treaty requiring discussion between US and Japan. I assured Fujiyama that we are also interested in countering efforts to discredit committee since we consider committee important and that we agree with his view that committee can take up any matter arising out of security treaty. I emphasized that we welcomed any suggestions to improve functioning of committee. Fujiyama commented that he was pleased to find we agreed on committee’s work since feels Socialist efforts to discredit committee are actually aimed at damaging friendly [Page 539] US-Japanese relations. At conclusion of meeting, Fujiyama referred to this problem again and suggested committee meet about once a month since discussions are useful and instructive. At Fujiyama’s suggestion, we agreed committee should next meet about mid-December.
Fujiyama in introductory remarks also expressed appreciation for information provided by US on our withdrawal program, particularly on return of facilities and discharge of workers. He and Tsushima expressed hope US will continue to handle dismissal of workers in manner best calculated to minimize hardships. General Smith and I assured Fujiyama that we recognized importance of handling labor problem in this manner. General Smith then outlined measures USFJ taking to assist dismissed workers, including benefits under new master labor contract, as much advance notice as possible, assistance in placing dismissed employees with Japanese industry, and vocational training where facilities available. General Smith also mentioned that discharges have not been at greater rate than estimates previously given Japanese authorities.
II. Admiral Burke’s Visit
I presented Admiral Burke’s comments on his recent visit to Japan (CNO messages 150127Z and 221401Z).4 Japanese expressed pleasure and appreciation with these comments. (Embtel 1454)5
III. Air Defense
Fujiyama opened discussion by requesting further information and discussion of US policies in light of Soviet development of ICBM and satellites. He said government policies have been challenged as result of Soviet progress and it is therefore useful to discuss this development at greater length in subsequent meetings of committee. I agreed that a discussion of free world policies in light of Soviet developments would be useful. Fujiyama thought Soviet successes may have important psychological effect on free world and therefore free world “must maintain firm mutual trust among themselves and confidence in themselves”. Fujiyama pointed out that Soviet actions also have direct bearing on domestic political situation.
Tsushima stressed Soviet development of ICBM has focused attention on air defense problem. He expressed fear that possible acceleration of US Air Force withdrawals from Japan and delays in buildup of Japanese air force might bring about deficiency in air defense. He [Page 540] requested that US withdrawal therefore be coordinated with Japanese buildup and that US continue to provide assistance to Japan’s air force, including technical aid and training.
General Smith in reply reviewed current deployment plans of US Air Force defense units and problems involved in progressive transfer of operational responsibilities for air defense to Japan Air Self Defense Force. He emphasized that, during current transitional stage when Japanese will begin operations within air defense system, closest cooperation required between US and Japan air defense units. He listed five areas in which preliminary actions have been initiated but not completed:
- 1)
- Transfer of AC and W sites;
- 2)
- Joint use of telecommunications;
- 3)
- Maintenance of electronic equipment at AC and W sites after being taken over by Japanese;
- 4)
- Completion of studies and agreements with respect to operational control and rules of engagement; and
- 5)
- Modernization of Japan air force.
He then reviewed USAF plans for return of air bases to GOJ and for coordinated withdrawal of US air defense units and deployment in their place of Japanese air units. He expressed opinion that Japan’s air defense will continue to be reasonably effectively executed during this current transitional period.
General Smith pointed out that USAF plans were made well in advance in coordination with original program for Japanese air force buildup which is now behind schedule. He agreed that we should avoid creating vacuum during transitional phase, and in this connection mentioned that two fighter squadrons scheduled for inactivation next summer will be kept here extra year. He emphasized US at same time cannot always be depended upon to fill gap left by delays in Japanese buildup and urged further efforts by Japanese, particularly in meeting schedule for transfer of AC and W sites. General Smith concluded by commenting that principal requirement for air defense of Japan is surface-to-air missiles although more modern aircraft are also required.
Tsushima expressed appreciation for clear, reassuring statement on air defense and said he intends to instruct his staff to expedite study and conclusion of satisfactory arrangements on five problems mentioned by General Smith, which arrangements he viewed as “quite necessary to Japan’s air defense”.
IV. Airfield Runway Situation
General Smith reviewed background of US requests for additional land to permit runway extension at 7 air bases. He then raised major problems still faced in this area, principally: [Page 541]
- 1)
- USFJ desire to declassify plans for release of Niigata and to release field at end of this year;
- 2)
- US plans to release Komaki following completion of runway extension in first quarter US FY 1959;
- 3)
- Urgent US need for runway extension at Tachikawa—particularly in view of concurrent plans to release Haneda by July 1958 and to relocate MATS from Haneda to Tachikawa; and
- 4)
- Continued requirement for runway extension at Atsugi Naval Air Base.
In response Tsushima commented:
- 1)
- Japanese have no objections to announcing release of Niigata;
- 2)
- Release of Komaki should be kept classified until completion of runway extension;
- 3)
- Tachikawa extension now before Japanese courts but government intends accomplish extension immediately upon completion of legal procedures; and
- 4)
- Importance of requirement at Atsugi is understood and government will continue to study problems involved but difficulties common to other land acquisitions are faced at Atsugi.
Fujiyama expressed appreciation for US efforts to reduce its air base requirements to minimum which therefore make runway extensions at above fields “all the more urgent”. He assured General Smith and myself that, though runway extension was very delicate problem and was primary responsibility of Tsushima, he would do his best to back Tsushima and to get full cabinet support for efforts to carry out necessary extensions.
V. Meeting agreed to press release. (Embtel 1451)6 It was also agreed that Foreign Ministry would tell press orally that next committee meeting will be held sometime in mid-December.
Passed COMUS Japan by other means.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.94/11–2957. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for Admiral Stump.↩
- In telegram 1453, November 27, the Embassy sent a preliminary report on the third meeting of the Japanese-American Committee on Security. (Ibid., 611.94/11–2757)↩
- Dated November 22, not printed. (Ibid., 794.5/11–2257)↩
- Neither found.↩
- In telegram 1454 from Tokyo, November 27, marked “For Admiral BurkeCNO from Ambassador” and passed also to COMUS Japan, MacArthur described a favorable Japanese reaction to Burke’s comments on maritime defense in the Japan area and concluded: “Your comments rang the bell and will I know help on build-up MSDF. Many thanks.” (Department of State, Central Files, 794.5/11–2757)↩
- Dated November 27, not printed. (Ibid., 611.94/11–2757)↩