694.001/6–3051: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser to SCAP (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
priority
Topad 2278. For Dulles from Allison. Fol are official Jap comments on draft bilateral security agreement forwarded in Deptel 1810 June 25:1
- “1. In order to make the draft agreement complete it will
be necessary to add a provision regarding ratification and
the time of enforcement, stipulating that:
“‘This agreement shall be duly ratified by each country and it shall come into force simultaneously with the coming into force of the peace treaty between the United States and Japan.’
- “2. A slight change in the wording of paragraph 5 is
desired as follows:
“‘Japan will increasingly assume responsibility for the defense of its own homeland’ shall read:
“‘Japan will increasingly assume responsibility for its own defense.’ This amendment is intended to preclude a possible misinterpretation of the term ‘homeland’ as signifying only the four major islands, and the consequent misgivings that the minor islands might be left out of consideration”.
In addition to above textual changes Jap Govt points out that while text makes clear legal basis for Jap conclusion of agreement in exercise right of self-defense and also right to enter collective self-defense [Page 1168] agreements no similar legal basis for United States participation is mentioned. Jap Govt believes questions will be raised on this point in the Diet and wld appreciate being informed of the stand the Amer Govt wld take in this regard. I told Iguchi that we wld enendeavor to work out something for use of Jap Govt in this connection and communicate it to him later. [Allison.]