189. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State 0

4352. CINCPAC for Asst Secretary Parsons. Embtel 4336.1 In conversation with Embassy officer last night, Ikeda said his goal is to succeed Kishi directly and expressed confidence he would be successful in near future. In other words, he would expect to be elected LDP President and then PriMin in not distant future rather than after interim PriMin like Ono or Ishii. He implied he has support of Yoshida and said they are in touch by phone once or twice daily. Ikeda said he expected general election would be held next November.

Ikeda implied he was in strong position vis-à-vis Kishi and Sato, and pointed out that it was only the support of his faction that made it possible for Govt to get treaty through Diet in face of Socialist opposition and anti-mainstream sniping. As to anti-mainstream, he was confident of Miki’s support and cooperation in formation of new cabinet. (It will be recalled he flirted with Miki before treaty went through Diet Lower House–Embtel 3630.)2 He spoke scornfully of Kono.

When asked about current talk about JSP connivance with anti-mainstream on non-confidence motion to force Kishi down before treaty ratifications exchanged, Ikeda said this was not likely because DSP would not go along. He said he was sure of his ground on DSP because [Page 377] he was responsible for Nishio receiving substantial financial support.

During conversation Ikeda (two of whose daughters depart June 25 for extended trip to US and Western Europe) repeatedly stressed his pro-American record and asked that Embassy officer convey to Ambassador with whom he maintains close contact the assurance that he would do his best for US-Japan relations if he becomes PriMin. He said primary tasks facing Japan’s conservative government are: 1) To deal appropriately with LDP dissidents; 2) to develop measures which will ensure public order; 3) to gain confidence of intellectual world.

Comment: Ikeda gave impression of a man who believes Prime Ministership is almost within his grasp and who would value cooperation of US Govt. From viewpoint of US interest Ikeda is far best successor to Kishi for he believes staunchly in Japanese-American partnership and is militantly anti-Communist as is his preceptor Yoshida.

MacArthur
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.00/6–2160. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Naha, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Kobe, Sapporo, CINCPAC, COMUS/Japan, and HICOMRYIS.
  2. According to telegram 4336 from Tokyo, June 20, Okinori Kaya believed that Ikeda would be the best choice to succeed Kishi, and had stated that he had been working behind the scenes for Ikeda. (Ibid., 794.00/6–2060) See Supplement.
  3. See footnote 1, Document 157.