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

198. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, September 12, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Japanese Domestic Situation and US-Japanese Relations

PARTICIPANTS

• Foreign Minister Z. Kosaka
• Ambassador K. Asakai
• Director of Bureau S. Kondo
• Counselor of Bureau H. Tanaka
• Minister A. Nishiyama
• Counselor of Embassy T. Yasukawa
• Counselor of Embassy T. Kato
• Mr. G. Shimanouchi
• Secretary C. Herter
• Under Secretary L. Merchant
• Ambassador D. MacArthur II
• Assistant Secretary J. Parsons
• Dep. Assistant Secretary C. Adair
• Mr. D. Bane
• Mr. R. Sneider
• Asst. Sec. of Defense J. Irwin
• Capt. Howe

1. Cancellation of President’s Visit

Foreign Minister Kosaka expressed on behalf of the Japanese Government its deep feelings of regret for the cancellation of the President’s visit. He said that the Japanese people were very grateful for the tolerance and understanding shown by the U.S. since they recognized that the American public was unhappy regarding the cancellation. Secretary Herter replied that the U.S. Government understood the circumstances requiring cancellation of the visit. However, some people in the U.S. have concluded from this development that the U.S. has lost prestige in Japan and that Japanese friendship for the U.S. has declined. He thought that it would be helpful to reassure the American public that this was not the case. Prime Minister Kosaka agreed fully and said that he would do his utmost to reassure the American public. He pointed out that the Ikeda Government feels that it is not sufficient merely to express regrets but that deeds are necessary. The Ikeda Government considers that the most effective way to demonstrate that U.S. friendship and prestige have not declined in Japan is through a great election victory for the Liberal Democratic Party in the forthcoming Diet elections.

2. Japanese Domestic Situation

Foreign Minister Kosaka discussed the underlying causes for the May-June crisis in Japan. He mentioned, first, that the occupation had drastically revised the legal system, educational system, the position of labor organizations, and the mass communication media. The new Constitution emphasized public welfare and respect for human rights, for example, Article XXVIII, which provides for labor rights. The labor organizations, in the name of protecting their rights under the new Constitution, have undertaken activities which impinge upon the public welfare. They have interpreted the Constitution to permit demonstrations and picketing activity, which on occasion have involved violence and force. Demonstrations of this nature have now become a common practice throughout the nation. The police are, furthermore, unable to cope with these demonstrations since under the Constitution and present laws they cannot step in until an act of violence is on the verge of occurring.

Foreign Minister Kosaka said that the situation in education is equally serious. The teachers are organized in a trade union whose pattern of activity is similar to that of an ordinary labor union. The Japan Teachers Union is leftist, powerful and one of the key members of Sohyo. The school children have now become accustomed to seeing their teachers participate in mass demonstrations and picket activities and feel there is nothing wrong with such activities. As a result, the student movement has adopted the same practice and has gotten out of hand. In the field of mass communications, Kosaka said, the major newspapers, which are widely read and very influential, are heavily infiltrated by leftists. Unfortunately, the leftists cannot be fired. However, the business elements in the newspaper world are now trying to reduce leftist influence. The banks, paper mills, and the advertisers are pressuring the newspaper owners to exert a more moderating influence on their papers.

The Foreign Minister said that the Ikeda Government recognizes that they must cope with these basic problems of Japanese society. It feels that the best technique is a careful program of educating the people rather than merely passing new laws. There is a need particularly for public education on the international situation so that the Japanese people will understand the necessity of Free World ties. The Government hopes that through such a program of education it can eliminate the roots of Japan’s internal problems.

3. US-Japan Treaty Relations

Foreign Minister Kosaka said that the Ikeda Government recognizes that the new U.S.-Japan Treaty is very vital and necessary. He said that he had explained to the Diet the Treaty’s necessity and the intention of the Ikeda Government to assume full responsibility for the Treaty. He feels that the Government must emphasize that Japan requested treaty revision since certain people believe that the Treaty was forced on Japan. He commented in this connection that Ambassador MacArthur had been most helpful on the treaty problem.

The Foreign Minister said that recently the Prime Minister had called in the three Chiefs of Staff of the Self-Defense Forces and discussed U.S.-Japanese security relations. One of the key problems that emerged was the question of the Fuji–McNair maneuver area. The Foreign Minister explained that the Japanese Government believes that due to the political sensitivity of this problem and the fact that the U.S. has only used the area occasionally, it would be desirable to return the maneuver area to the Japanese Defense Agency with the assurances that the U.S. forces could use it when necessary. He said he had discussed this problem with Admiral Felt. He said that another politically sensitive problem in the security area was the transfer of non-appropriated workers to the indirect hire system. This problem is a very technical one and is now being studied by the Embassy and the Foreign Office but requires careful handling due to its political sensitivity. Secretary Herter indicated that we would give these matters the most careful consideration.

4. Ryukyus

Foreign Minister Kosaka briefly mentioned U.S.-Japanese relations regarding the Ryukyus. He said that under the present situation the Japanese Government did not consider it proper to seek return of administration of these islands and that it appreciated the consideration given by the U.S. to the welfare of the Ryukyus. He mentioned the question of the flying of the Japanese flag in the Ryukyus. He said that the Japanese Government realized that it was permitted to fly this flag over private homes but it would be very helpful if on New Year’s Day, the major Japanese holiday, the flag might be permitted to be flown over public schools and other public buildings. Secretary Herter said that we would, of course, carefully consider this question.

5. Other Matters

Foreign Minister Kosaka briefly raised several other questions. First, he mentioned that several Japanese shipping companies are facing anti-trust actions before a grand jury in New York. He felt that this could have unfavorable repercussions and asked the Department to look into this question from a political viewpoint. Under Secretary Merchant said that the Department would look into this question.

The Minister mentioned the hope of Japanese business leaders for formation of a joint economic committee in implementation of Article II of the new treaty. He said that the Japanese Government did not support this proposal but hoped that some sort of people-to-people’s forum might be organized to take the pressure off the government. Mr. Parsons indicated that we of course would like to consider this problem but that it would appear that the meeting with the Foreign Minister and the subsequent joint communiqué¹ here were effective means of implementing Article II. Ambassador MacArthur thought that the ICA Productivity Teams could be construed as another step to implement Article II of the Treaty. Ambassador Asakai commented that the Japanese businessmen have not given up the idea of seeking closer economic relations with U.S. businessmen such as exists with Canadian and Mexican business groups. Ambassador MacArthur pointed out that when Mr. Adachi had proposed a joint U.S.-Japan economic group to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber had not been too interested. Mr. Parsons mentioned that another factor to consider was the need to avoid any U.S.-Japanese organizations that might act in violation of U.S. laws prohibiting restraint of trade. Ambassador MacArthur suggested that perhaps Mr. Kosaka, while in New York, could explain the Japanese businessmen’s desires to American business groups and that he would do likewise. It was agreed that neither government should discourage such efforts and that both would look into what steps should be taken to encourage closer ties between the U.S. and Japanese business elements.

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 794.00/9–1260. Confidential. Drafted by Sneider and approved by M and S. The same day Herter and Kosaka discussed the postponement of Eisenhower’s visit and the general world situation. (Memoranda of conversation by Bane and Sneider, September 12; ibid., 033.9411/9–1260 and 611.00/9–1260, respectively) See Supplement for both.
1. Dated September 12; for text, see Department of State Bulletin, October 10, 1960, pp. 561–562.