Office of the Historian

78. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1

Washington, undated.

SUBJECT

  • Secretary Laird’s Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sato July 9

The following is a brief summary of the highlights of Secretary Laird’s two hour meeting on July 9 with Japanese Prime Minister Sato:

—In response to Prime Minister Sato’s disbelief that conventional military deterrence was adequate in Asia and his view that our nuclear shield was vital, Secretary Laird assured Sato the U.S. would maintain a proper and sufficient nuclear deterrent vis-à-vis the USSR.

—In response to Laird’s comment, Sato said that Japan should not be too dependent on the U.S. for conventional military force and intended to improve the quality of its forces, that it was not economically practical for Japan to have an independent defense industry, and that he hoped the U.S. would lend assistance with advanced technology.

—Asked by Sato, Laird reviewed our assessment of the military threat from Peking.

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—Laird stressed the importance of Japanese economic assistance to the Indochinese states, and Sato said his Government was studying additional efforts it might make in this area.

—Sato said his recent shift of Foreign, Finance and International Trade and Industry Ministers was aimed at improving U.S.-Japanese relations, and that he had specifically instructed them on the need for greater liberalization of trade and investment restrictions.

—Sato expressed appreciation for the conclusion of Okinawan reversion negotiations.

—Sato thanked Laird for your personal message of good wishes and hope for the success of his new cabinet.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 536, Country Files, Far East, Japan, Vol. V, 1 Jul–Sep 71. Secret. Sent for information. A note on the first page reads: “Not sent—per Gen. Haig.” See Laird’s report on his trip to Japan, Document 80.↩