[Secret]
From: Tokyo (Togo)
To: Ankara
November 20, 1941
J-16
Circular #2364 (Strictly secret)
1.
Since the formation of the Cabinet, the Government has been in conference for
successive days with the Imperial General Headquarters. They have given due
consideration to the development of a fundamental national policy which will
correspond to the urgent exigencies of the situation. Insofar as this is
concerned, in the conference which took place on the morning of the 5th, decisions
were reached covering fundamental policies having to do with the adjustment of
diplomatic relations with Japan and the United States.
2.
Insofar as Japanese-American negotiations are concerned, in proceeding upon
these negotiations for the adjustment of diplomatic relations on a just basis,
conferences have been in progress since the 7th. However, there is great
disparity between their opinions and our own. In the light of the trend of past
negotiations there is considerable doubt as to whether a settlement of the
negotiations will be reached. Insofar as we are concerned we have lent our
maximum efforts in order to bring about a settlement of the negotiations.
However, the situation not permitting any further conciliation by us, an
optimistic view for the future is not permitted. In the event that negotiations
are broken off, we expect that the situation in which Japan will find herself
will be extremely critical. The above is for your information alone.
This
message is addressed to Switzerland, Turkey and Moscow. Switzerland will
transmit to France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland and South Africa. Turkey
will transmit to Roumania, Bulgaria, Hungary.
Army: 25427 Trans. 11/28/41 (2)(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)