[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
27 July 1941
(Purple)
Circular #1622
In
retaliation for the steps taken by the British and United States by which our
assets were frozen, the rules restricting foreign business transactions in Japan
which are included in the rules governing foreign exchange, shall be put into
effect on the 28th by order of the Finance Ministry. Manchukuo will also take
similar steps while in China proclamations by the Consulates will be made
subsequently. As an emergency measure, the above regulations will be announced
by the Consulates as a bulletin and will be made effective for all practical
purposes. (All transactions involving Britain and America will be placed on a
license basis). At the same time, the Chinese will receive instructions to put
similar measures in effect.
With
regard to the Customs, all exports to countries which have frozen our assets,
shall have to receive licenses in accordance with orders issued by the
Financial Bureau. Guidance will be given to settle all complications which
accompany the materialization of these regulations.
Ample
study has been made so as to make these measures counter whatever measures the
opposition should choose to actually take.
This
message addressed to London and Washington.
20267
JD-1:4111 (D)Navy Trans. 7-29-41 (S-TT)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)