Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

141. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, January 19, 1960, 3:30–5:30 p.m.

SUBJECT

• The Ryukyu and Bonin Islands

PARTICIPANTS

• [Here follows the same list as Document 139.]

1. The Ryukyu Islands

Prime Minister Kishi briefly mentioned the Ryukyu problem. He said that on the occasion of his previous visit, he had discussed with the President the need for promoting the general welfare of residents of the Ryukyus.¹ He said that, since then, the United States had taken steps to promote the welfare of the Ryukyuans and Japan was grateful for these measures. The Prime Minister commented that he feels that recent Japanese efforts to promote economic welfare in the Ryukyus have also been helpful. However, there remain areas where the welfare of the Ryukyuans can be furthered by United States-Japanese cooperation, such as the Iriomote Project.² The Japanese Government, which wishes to help American efforts in the Ryukyus, is prepared to work out other cooperative arrangements with the United States. He said that the Japanese Government would continue to explore through diplomatic channels the other areas where United States-Japanese cooperation in these islands can be expanded. The Prime Minister subsequently asked whether there would be any objection if he told the press merely that there was discussion with the Secretary of the Ryukyus and Outer Space cooperation. The Secretary said that there would be no objection.

2. The Bonin Islands

Mr. Parsons briefly mentioned the Executive Branch’s efforts to obtain legislation providing compensation to the former residents of the Bonin Islands. He said that, during the White House luncheon, he had asked the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee whether his committee would act soon on the proposed legislation. The Chairman said that the Committee would take up the matter on the afternoon of January 20. Mr. Parsons expressed hope that the Committee would act favorably. He pointed out that Committee action at such an early stage in the Congressional session was most unusual but it reflects the interest of the Committee in the Bonin’s compensation problem as a result of the State Department’s initiative. He wished the Prime Minister to know that the United States had not forgotten the Bonin Islands compensation problem³ and was attempting to move ahead on this problem as quickly as possible. Prime Minister Kishi replied that there was continued interest in this problem in Japan and he was most appreciative of the information given him by Mr. Parsons.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1584. Confidential. Drafted by Sneider and approved in S. See also Documents 139, 140, and 142–146.
1. See the memorandum of conversation, June 19, 1957, in Foreign Relations, 1955–1957, vol. XXIII, Part 1, pp. 369–375.
2. Documents relating to U.S.-Japanese cooperation in the land reclamation and resettlement project at Iriomote are in Department of State, Central Files 794C.022, 794C.0221, and 894C.16.
3. See footnote 2, Document 26.