Office of the Historian

265. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State1

Tokyo, October 11, 1957—8 p.m.

1082. Pass USUN New York. ReDeptel 859. I saw [name deleted] this afternoon at 4:30 pm and strongly urged desirability of Japanese co-sponsorship of both Vietnam and ROK resolutions. I said in light Japan’s co-sponsorship both resolutions last year, failure to do so this year might possibly be construed by some as change in Japan’s position with unfortunate implications re Japanese position on Communism. If Japan co-sponsored neither resolution it might also have (a) adverse effect on Japanese reparations negotiations with Vietnam, and (b) make Koreans even more intransigent and difficult. If Japan should only co-sponsor Vietnam resolution, effect on Japan’s position might be damaging since some might misconstrue it to mean that Japan using its new and important position in UN as means of pressure on Korea in matter with which UN was not seized. Also I believed it would do damage to ROK.

. . . . . . .

I replied that while I was not personally in position to make such appraisal our people in both Washington and NY sincerely believed such action by Japan would be misinterpreted. I suggested [name deleted]might like to obtain first hand report and recommendations from his own UN delegation.

[Name deleted] said the GOJ had already made decision not to act as original co-sponsor for ROK and that both resolutions have now been tabled. However, he would now make further study of matter and would arrive at decision shortly on Japan’s future course of action. He expressed sincere hope that whatever Japan’s decision would be, it would not in any way disturb friendly relations between Japan and US.

We agreed to say in answer to press queries as to reason for my call on [name deleted] that I had come to deliver text of Surgeon General’s statement re toys and that I would be meeting with [name deleted] again Monday to review his Washington visit. …2

MacArthur
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/10–1157. Confidential; Niact.↩
  2. Telegram 1087 from Tokyo, October 12, reads: “Foreign Vice Minister Ohno called this afternoon to state that after studying matter further GOJ had decided to sponsor both ROK and South Vietnam and that instructions to this effect were being sent to Japanese UN delegation in N.Y.” (Ibid., 310.2/10–1257)↩