[Secret]
From: Washington (Nomura)
To: Tokyo
October 18, 1941
CA
Accept
my congratulations on your appointment. Although I was instructed to carry out
the policy of the former cabinet and endeavored to do my best, I was not able
to do anything useful and naturally I have been keenly conscious of the
responsibility. Since my appointment to this post, things have developed
contrary to my wishes and for this reason, I am deeply concerned. It should be
fairly clear that I, with my limited ability, shall not be able to accomplish
much in the future; I am afraid I shall be leading not only a useless existence
but even a harmful one. Grateful for the kind encouragement which the former
minister gave me, I would like to think over carefully what I should do; I
would like also to return to Japan in the near future so that I may personally
report the situation here to you and incidentally receive your instructions in
all matters. Will you, therefore, give your approval at once. Inasmuch as both
WAKASUGI and IGUCHI are men of ability and efficiency, there should be no
objections to leaving matters in their hands after I have left.
Army 23803 Trans. 10/22/41 (2)
(EXHIBITS
OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE
JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)