No. 136
FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)
TO: Honolulu (Riyoji)
February 15, 1941
# 008.
Re my # 73 to Washington.
In gathering intelligence material, your office will pay particular attention to paragraphs 1 and 2.
Trans. 2-20-41
No. 137
FROM: Washington (Morishima)
TO: Mexico (Koshi)
February 15, 1941
# 003.
Re your # 008 [a].
Advise by official communication, by air, in the same manner as last year, as to military counter espionage.
[a] Not available.
Trans. 2-15-41
No. 138
FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)
TO: Washington (Koshi)
February 13, 1941
# 67.
Colonel Hideo Iwakuro of the Army will soon take office in the U.S. We have a request from the War Department that he be given the title of Aide to the Military Attaché at your office as a temporary expedient to facilitate his work only in the area concerned. We approve of this. So will you please inform the U.S. Government thereof?
Trans. (Not dated)
No. 139
FROM: Sydney (Japanese Consul)
TO: Washington
February 13, 1941
# 4.
My message to Tokyo # 79 on the 12th.
Re my message # 77 [a].
According to a newspaper report allegedly coming from Kanbera [b], these United States Naval observers have been ordered to various countries in both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Their number is a matter of secret but about 25 officers have been dispatched, especially to the Dutch East Indies, and they are under the direct command of the United States Navy Department and form a special observation post. It is said that they will be permitted to use
Page A—85
special short-wave wireless sets of the British Navy in order to keep in touch with Australia, Singapore and other points.
Relayed to England and the United States.
[a] Available, not translated.
[b] Canberra, Australian city.
Trans. 2-21-41
No. 140
FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)
TO: Rome (Koshi)
February 15, 1941
# 300.
(Circular).
Under present world conditions, we must redouble our counter espionage activities. To conform with this policy we have decided to further restrict foreign visitors to our shores.
Hereafter, therefore, will you make a thorough investigation of all applicants for visas? Those persons who come under the classifications noted below (including persons who have no nationality) should not be given visas until their names, occupations, object of visit, and other reference material is reported by official communications or by request cables. A detailed description of the personal history and political leanings should accompany the applications of those who come under the category of (2) below. (There will be no change in the procedure which has been in effect in the past, where citizens of the U.S.S.R. and refugees are concerned.)
(1) Officials, military men, and others who are traveling on official business. Possessors of diplomatic passports are excepted.
(2) Newspaper correspondents, magazine writers, and persons connected with propaganda organs.
(3) All others about whose purpose of visit, political leanings, and/or connections you have some doubts.
Trans. 2-18-41
No. 141
FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)
TO: Washington
February 26, 1941
# 96.
To Ambassador Kurusu, from Ito (Chief of the Information Section).
It appears that the U.S. will go even so far as to take part in war to help England and that she will not agree to any peace settlement with Hitler’s Germany.
Please telegraph your candid opinion from San Francisco.
Please remind the Ambassador, Kurusu, of the matter referred to in my message # 2383 of last year [a].
[a] Directs caution in interviews with reporters. Not used.
Trans. 2-28-41
Page A-86
No. 142
FROM: Berlin (Osima)
TO: Tokyo
February 27, 1941
# 194.
Re my # 193 [a].
I met and talked with Stahmer on the 27th. He told me that according to a report submitted to the government by the German Ambassador in the U.S., the U.S. has definitely decided not to enter into joint military action with either Great Britain or the Netherlands against Japan as long as Japan makes no move against the Philippine Islands. This information,
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http://LOUIS-J-SHEEHAN.US
he said, came from a very reliable source. Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire (To date this source has never been mistaken), he added.
He also advised me that this information will be relayed to us in Tokyo by Ambassador Ott, but in the meantime, be advised by this.
Stahmer expressed the hope for close cooperation in the matter of exchanging intelligence. Please, therefore, forward all information which may be of value.
[a] Not used.
Trans. 3-7-41
No. 143
FROM: Tokyo
TO: Washington
March 17, 1941
# 126.
Regarding my # 43 [a].
(1) Please put Secretary Terazaki [b] in full charge of directing information and propaganda in the United States.
(2) Please have him maintain close contact with all our offices for the purpose of coordinating information gathered through these channels.
Also please have him convene or visit officials concerned whenever he deems it necessary.
(3) Please allow him to travel to South and Central America, whenever he feels it necessary to contact our information officials in these countries.
(4) Bearing in mind that sufficient funds have been provided to give him a reasonable amount of freedom of action in pursuing his work, please offer him every assistance at your disposal.
[a] We have decided to de-emphasize our propaganda work and strengthen our intelligence work in the U.S. See I, 118.
[b] See I, 119. Outline of major points of investigation in connection with setting up of intelligence operations in the U.S.
[c] Cooperation of Jap bank and business officials in U.S. will be sought in connection with propaganda and intelligence work in U.S. See I, 112.
[d] Terazaki was formerly a secretary at the Legation in Peking; was ordered to Washington on 20 December, 1940.
Trans. 3-18-41
Page A-87
No. 144
FROM: Washington (Nomura)
TO: Tokyo (Gaimudaijin)
April 9, 1941
# 221.
Terasaki and Wakasugi are rather inclined to want Fukumoto, director of the New York branch of the Nichi Nichi newspaper, to serve in Washington. However, in view of the fact that he has already been ordered home, would you please get in touch with Director Takaishi and Publisher Okomura and see if they can persuade him to postpone his return for a time and come to Washington, for he has been brought up in America and knows their customs, etc.?
Trans. 4-18-41
No. 145
FROM: Washington (Nomura)
TO: Tokyo
March 20, 1941
# 161.
Secret—To the Intelligence Bureau.
It is difficult for us to get information concerning conditions in England and Germany. As the contact of Mr. OBATA [a], attached to this office, with the Americans have ended, it is desired to send him immediately to Germany and Italy (and if it would not take too much time, also to England if convenient) and have him return. Your permission for this is requested. It will be necessary for him to take a plane or mail boat. Please answer immediately regarding this matter.
[a] Visiting U.S., Mexico and Canada on a four-month’ trip as temporary assistant to Admiral NOMURA and also for the purpose of supervising any propaganda and enlightenment activities.
Trans. 6-20-41
No. 146
FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)
TO: Geneva
March 3, 1941
# 14.
Regarding your message # 10 [a].
For the purpose of making necessary adjustments at this end, please listen in on Domei’s general news broadcasts and reply reception results. (Japan time: 4:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 0 a.m.)
[a] Not available.
Trans. 3-5-41
Page A-88
No. 147
FROM: Sao Paulo (Naruse)
TO: Tokyo (Gaimudaijin) Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire
March 3, 1941
# 011
Request that the following be passed on to the Nippon Broadcasting Association:
The change in frequencies has brought excellent reception for listeners here.
Trans. 3-5-41
No. 148
FROM: Rome
TO: Tokyo
March 4, 1941 (?)
# 116.
Sensitivity for JCF and FCO very feeble. Please change wave length.
Trans. 3-5-41
No. 149
FROM: Vichy (Harada)
TO: Tokyo
March 12, 1941
# 142.
Sensitivity weak. Static terrible. Reception impossible. Please change wave length.
Trans. 3-17-41
No. 150
FROM: Washington (Nomura)
TO: Tokyo
April 1, 1941
# 193.
For the past several days, we have encountered considerable difficulty in hearing the general intelligence broadcasts, due to static. The interference finally increased to such a point as to make reception an impossibility today.
Please, therefore, give consideration to changing the existing wave length.
Trans. 4-4-41
No. 151
FROM: Tokyo
TO: Washington (Koshi)
April 11, 1941
# 165.
Regarding your # 193 [a].
For the purpose of making necessary adjustments in wave lengths, please let us know the reception conditions of, and desired wave lengths for, the Domei general broadcasts at 9 p.m. (Japan time) over JUO (9,430 kc) and at 1, 1:30 and 2 p.m. over JUP.
[a] Jap. Amb. Nomura reports inability to hear general intelligence broadcasts due to static and suggests a change of wave length. See I, 150.
Trans. 4-18-41
Page A-89
No. 152
FROM: Tokyo (Konoe)
TO: Singapore (Riyoji)
April 21, 1941
# 106
Regarding your # 157 [a].
(Japan time) and frequencies for broadcasts in English or French as follows:
(Time and Stations)
A.M. 7:40 JUP
8:30 JUP
10:30 JUP
11:00 JUP
P.M. 2:40 JUP
4:30 JUP
8:00 JUP
8:30 JAUZ
9:00 JUO
A.M. 0:00 JUP
1:30 JUO
Broadcasts in Japanese with Romaji transliteration:
(Time and Stations)
A.M. 9:30 JAP
11:00 JAP
P.M. 0:00 JAP
0:30 JAP
3:00 JAP
4:30 JAP
5:00 JAP
6:00 JAP
7:30 JAP
9:00 JAP
Frequencies:
JAP —11,980 kc
JUP —13,065 kc
JAUZ —73,275 kc
JUO —9,430 kc
[a] Not available.
Trans. 4-29-41
No. 153
FROM: Washington (Nomura)
TO: Tokyo (Gaimudaijin)
April 21, 1941
# 245
Re your # 165 [a].
The reception condition of Domei’s general broadcast over JUO and JUP is as follows:
Sensitivity extremely weak and reception impossible due to interference. General information listened to at this office, JUP, 13065 “A” at 4:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (local time) suffers
Page A-90
from greater frequency instability than heretofore and reception is possible on the average of only three days out of a week. However, due to feeble sensitivity reception is very difficult. On the other hand we find both the sensitivity and frequency stability excellent for Domei’s general broadcast, JAU, 27327.5 “A” at 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Therefore, please change to this frequency.
Receiving sets used are ACR, Philco, 1937, type 116, and 1940 Hammerland super pro.
[a] Requests information regarding Domei General broadcasts in order to make adjustments in wave lengths. See I, 151.
Trans. 4-22-41
No. 154
FROM: Tokyo
TO: Washington
April 28, 1941
# 184.
Re your # 245 [a].
Since we plan to use for broadcasts to you Station JAU-2 in our current broadcast system, would like to have you send me reports on these broadcasts. Please wire me details of records compiled from 10:00 a.m. your time of receptions of all wave lengths.
[a] Washington tells Tokyo reception conditions of Domei’s general broadcast over JUO and JUP are very poor. See I, 153.
Trans. 5-8-41
No. 155
FROM: Washington (Nomura)
TO: Tokyo
May 6, 1941
# 270.
Re your # 184 [a].
JAW-2, which carries general Allied broadcasts picked up here at 7:00 a.m., has a very weak signal and it is very difficult to hear because it is frequently disturbed by sudden static. General news broadcasts for Europe picked up here beginning at 8:30 a.m. are inclined to have a very good signal on Station JAP. In spite of considerable static, over a five-day period, it could be heard relatively well.
However, in the past, looking at it from our local records, there is some question as to the enduring quality of the steady signal on that frequency. At times there is interference brought about by violent static and at times the signal is weak. Also, periodically reception is impossible.
Since the changing of the broadcast time to this office from the one at 4:30 currently in operation and —– —– —– is considered to be appropriate, we hope that you will change JAU-2’s wave length to 11980 kilocycles.
[a] See I, 154.
Trans. (Not dated)
Page A-91
No. 156
FROM: Washington (Morishima)
TO: Mexico City (Koshi)
January 27, 1941
# 002.
Re your # 004 [a].
Because of the expense involved, we do not subscribe to the A.P. and U.P. services at the Embassy. We try to keep abreast of the news by maintaining contact with individual newsmen. Upon receiving news of interest to your office through this channel, werelay it to yourelay it to you.
Unfortunately, there are no means by which we could have these newsmen send the news directly to your office.
[a] Re transmitting copy of U.S.-Mexican military agreements, secretly obtained by Military Attaché, to Tokyo in army code. “# 004″ above, probably an error. See I, 123.
Trans. 2-8-41
