711.94/1960: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—12:09 p.m.]
235. Tonight’s vernacular press gives prominence to a statement issued at noon today by the Cabinet Information Bureau appealing to Japanese living in the Americas to remain calm in the face of [Page 137] propaganda intended to worsen Japanese-American relations, under such headlines as “No Cause Anxiety Japan America; Government Statement Intended Allay Uneasiness”; “Third Country Plot Seen Behind Exaggerated Rumors Japanese-American Crisis.” The press states that the Cabinet statement on the Far Eastern situation, the new American evacuation advice, and exaggerated rumors hinting at a Japanese-American crisis have unduly alarmed Japanese living on the American continent. This false propaganda is attributed to a “certain foreign country.”
The Embassy’s translation of the statement handed to us by the Cabinet Information Bureau follows:
“Reports indicate that sensational information has been circulated in all parts of the American continent to the effect that Japanese-American relations are becoming extremely critical and that anxiety and uneasiness apparently exist among Japanese living in those areas. Although Japanese-American relations are somewhat strained they have not reached a point where war or hostilities are inevitable. Under the circumstances the governments of both nations are of course acting judiciously that such a contingency does not develop. It is believed that the spreading of extremist propaganda to worsen relations between the two countries is an act (the press version states ‘of certain countries’) based on an ulterior motive. The Government strongly desires that Japanese living in the various parts of the American continent maintain to the utmost a calm attitude, following their occupations without the slightest anxiety or agitation.”