Tokyo, July 7, 1958

No.81
Excellency:
I beg to acknowledge with appreciation the receipt of Your Excellency's letter No.39 of July 4.
1. Some of Korean detainees at the Omura camp who allegedly desire to go to north Korea, want on a hunger strike since about ten days ago demanding that they be released in Japan as soon as possible.
In this connection, Director Katsuno of the Japanese Justice Ministry's immigration Bureau on June 5 telephoned this office, requesting our consent to a contemplated Japanese plan to release in Japan temporarily, from humanitarian standpoint, Korean detainees Who are on a critical list among those Who are on strike. Our side immediately rejected, saying that it was against the agreement concluded, at the and of last year and repeated commitments of the Japanese side not to send them to the north nor to release them in Japan. Cable No.MT-086 was sent on July 5 in this regard.
Following above, the Japanese dailies here started reporting, mainly on Sunday, July 6, that as a result of consultation between Foreign Minister Fujiyama and Justice Minister Aichi decision has been reached to release the aged, women and those on a critical list among the Korean detainees who went on strike and that the Japanese Government was going to notify our side on this matter. This has already been reported by cable No.MT-088 of July 6.
2. At 10:30 a.m. today Minister Yiu visited Asian Bureau Director Itagaki at the Foreign Office at the Letter's request. Mr, Itagaki said that the Japanese Government has reached a conclusion to release in Japan temporarily some Korean detainees, as reported in the newspapers, and requested our side to give consent, because it was decided from humanitarian standpoint.
Our side immediately retorted his statement, saying that the Japanese side had previously committed itself at the Working Committee, established on the basis of the decision upon the conclusion of the preliminary talks on Dec. 31, 1957, and at other opportunities that thoes Koreans who allegedly desire to go to the north would neither be sent to the north, nor released in Japan but that they would be persuaded gradually to return to our side. This office then handed over a written protest to the Japanese side, a copy of which is enclosed herewith for Your Excellency's reference.
Furthermore, in order to sound out the real Japanese intention in this regard, a meeting of the Working Committee will be called at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, the result of which will be reported to the Government without delay.
3. As the Government is fully aware, the Japanese side in the past repeatedly promised not to send those Koreans in question to north Korea nor turn them loose in Japan but persuade them gradually to go to the Republic of Korea. Such a decision on the part of the Japanese Government, even if temporarily and under strict surveillance, as claimed by them, is undoubtedly a breach of the existing agreement between the two countries. Since left-wing Socialists and Communists here have actively been engaged in an attempt to wreck the current overall talks at any cost, should such an action be actually carried out, the Japanese side, consciously and unconsciously, is playing into the hands of the Communist propaganda and instigation which will only have adverse effect on the current talks. I will continue to watch the Japanese action in this regard and report any further development promptly. Meanwhile I would greatly appreciate any Government instructions on this matter.
4. Separately, this office cabled a report concerning the Asahi editorial appearing in its Sunday (July 6) issue which dealt with our seizure of the Japanese fishing boat Hoshi Maru No.2. The editorial, as reported in the cable, charged our side with the Hoshi Maru No.2 case and at the same time accused us of maltreatment of recently-repatriated Japanese fishermen while they were under our detention.
As in, the cable, this office feels that it would be to our advantage to reply, as soon as possible, to the Japanese note, with our facts about the so-called Hoshi Meru No.2 case. I would, therefore, appreciate the Government instructions including necessary data, so that this office may be able to lodge a counter-protest to the Japanese side.
5. The seventh session of the Subcommittee on Vessels was held as scheduled at 3: 30 p.m. today. The meeting centered on both sides repeating each other's insistence concerning the adoption of the agenda, without reaching any conclusion. The next meeting was agreed to be convened on Friday, July 11.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem, I remain,

Most respectfully,

M. I. K.

Enclosure : copy of note