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

194. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State⁰

Tokyo, July 22, 1960, 1 p.m.

238. CINCPAC and HICOMRYIS exclusive for POLADs, Adm Felt, Gen Booth. COMUS/Japan exclusive for General Burns. Embassy telegram 200.¹ Ikeda sent me word yesterday that he is being followed everywhere (I gathered by both reporters and agents of Socialist Party) and therefore it was impossible for us to meet secretly in Hakone. However, he did wish to have good confidential meeting with me and Yoshida next week, but in meantime asked me to pay brief “courtesy call” as there were one or two things he wished to say to me.

I did so this morning and extended to him personal congratulations and best wishes, assuring him that Embassy and US Govt wished to cooperate with him in every possible way to strengthen Japanese-American relations and repair damage caused by recent upheavals. I expressed hope that if there were any problems in our relations or any things which he felt we might do to be helpful in strengthening ties he would not hesitate to speak very frankly to me about them.

I said there were number of important matters about which I would like to obtain his views and hoped we could meet privately during coming week for fairly extensive survey of situation. In particular, I wished:

A. To obtain his views on domestic political situation and outlook; B. to explain to him impact on American governmental, business, and public opinion resulting from events leading up to cancellation of President’s visit (Deptel 125);² C. to talk about ROK-Japan relations, and particularly problem of repatriation. I expressed strong hope that he and his Govt would find some way to deal with Calcutta agreement³ so that it would not be extended full year, mentioning specifically helpful possibilities were being considered by FonMin Kosaka (Embtel 210); D. to go over certain other problems of common interest where we must cooperate and work together if relations between Japan and America are to be strengthened. (Under this item I will stress that US must retain administrative control of Okinawa and Japan must do nothing to exacerbate situation there.)

Ikeda said it was very important that we have long and good talk together as soon as possible. He hoped to have it next week but possibly it would be following week. He said he wanted President and US Govt to know how deeply and sincerely he regretted Hagerty incident and cancellation of President’s visit. He realized this had had deplorably unfortunate effect on American opinion and in our next meeting he particularly wanted to get my ideas as to points Japan should have in mind in its efforts to reestablish in America feeling of confidence in Japan.

I said I would be very happy to give him our views on this (Deptel 125). I added that forthright statements by him and FonMin Kosaka strongly opposing neutralism and calling for closer and stronger relations with US and free world and indicating that while Japan desired good relations with its Communist neighbors there were no fundamental changes in its policies toward ChiCom in offing, had been very well received in US, creating favorable first impression of his new govt. It would of course be important to follow up on this first good impression but we could talk about that at our next meeting.

Ikeda asked me to assure US Govt that he would do his best to implement policies and measures which would rectify situation in Japan which had been so clearly revealed in recent crisis.

I mentioned to him that Senator Sparkman, who is arriving July 29, hoped to see him, and Ikeda said he would be delighted to see him.

Comment: It seemed quite clear that Ikeda wishes to have very close, intimate and continuing contact with us, which should prove most helpful in working on some of our common problems.

MacArthur

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.00/7–2260. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC, HICOMRYIS, and COMUS/Japan.
1. In telegram 200 from Tokyo, July 19, MacArthur described his efforts to arrange an early private meeting with Ikeda and his conversation with Naokichi Kitazana, Diet member and Ikeda supporter. (Ibid., 794.00/7–1960) See Supplement.
2. Document 193.
3. The renewal of the Calcutta repatriation agreement was then under consideration. In his conversation with Vice Foreign Minister Yamada, according to telegram 201 from Tokyo, July 19, MacArthur suggested that the GOJ avoid renewing the agreement for a full year by adopting another option such as extension for half a year or further repatriation on an individual basis. Yamada agreed to inform the Foreign Minister of the Ambassador’s view but said in confidence that he (Yamada) “could not guarantee final position new GOJ would take on this matter which was extremely important in terms of Japanese domestic opinion.” (Department of State, Central Files, 294.9522/7–1960) Additional information on U.S. efforts to improve Japan-ROK relations is in telegram 309 from Tokyo, July 27. (Ibid., 694.95B/7–2760) See Supplement.