The 16th Disclosure of Diplomatic Records

December 20, 2000

I. Since 1976 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has disclosed its records that are more than 30 years old. On December 20, 2000, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the 16th Disclosure of Diplomatic Records, which is the second disclosure within a year, following the one on May 29. These diplomatic records are available to the public for viewing on microfilm at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1-5-3 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tel:+81-(0)3-3585-4511, Fax:+81-(0)3-3585-4514).

Disclosure of Diplomatic Records

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviews and declassifies, according to its Rule of Disclosure, diplomatic records of more than 30 years old and makes them, in principle, available to the public.
The review is based on the Rule of Disclosure stipulating that records that are more than 30 years old shall be in principle disclosed except those containing (1) information that, if made public, would pose a risk of harming serious national interests, or (2) information that, if made public, would pose a risk of harming rights and interests of individuals.
Cases when there is a risk of "harming serious national interests" include those posing or likely to pose ; (a) a risk of harming national security, (b) a risk of damaging trust of another country or an international organization and (c) a risk of causing a disadvantage in negotiations with another country or an international organization.

II. The records disclosed this time total 680 files (314 items), and are divided into the following three groups, i.e. Group 1 (15 files, 8 items), Group 2 (62 files, 24 items) and Group 3 (603 files, 282 items):

Group 1.

Group 2. Emigration of the Japanese People

The records concern Japanese people's emigration after World War II (from 1952 to 1971 ) to nine Latin American countries, namely, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Cuba, Guatemala, Venezuela and Mexico. Records of the emigration process and actual circumstances of emigrants in respective countries are included. A total of 62 files (24 items) on emigration are disclosed this time.

Group 3. Repatriation of Japanese Nationals After the End of World War II

The records cover the repatriation of approximately six million Japanese nationals from Southeast Asia, China and other areas overseas from 1945 to around 1960 following the end of World War II. They also include records on the repatriation of remains of the war dead and investigations of persons not yet repatriated. Out of 680 files disclosed this time 603 files (282 items) fall under this group.

III. For further information please see Lists of Items in ANNEX 1 (Group 1) and ANNEX 2 (Group 2 & 3).

The diplomatic records already disclosed in earlier releases are also available at the Diplomatic Archives. The number of files of diplomatic records that were disclosed from the first disclosure in 1976 to the 15th disclosure in May, 2000 totals 10,145. The latest disclosure brings the total to 10,825.

ANNEX 1

GROUP 1 ( 8 Items, 15 Files)

1. Agreement for Reparations and Economic Co-operation Between Japan and the Union of Burma ( B'3.1.2.5)
   (4 files, September 1952 - April 1955)
2. Public Opinion and Newspaper Editorials about the Above-mentioned Agreement (B'3.1.2.5-1)
   (1 file, September 1952 - April 1955)
3. Treaty of Peace Between Japan and the Union of Burma (B'4.1.2.4)
   (4 files, April 1952 - April 1955)
   Negotiations with Burma on the Agreement for Reparations and Economic Co-operation were held in parallel with those on Treaty of Peace. The records, contained in nine files, cover Burma's Declaration on Termination of the State of War with Japan, establishment of Japanese Consulate in Burma, and a series of negotiations on the Treaty and Agreement that resulted in their signing and effectuation in 1955.
4. Immigration Agreement Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Dominican Republic (B'5.2.0.J/DO3)
   (1 file, March 1956 - December 1958)
   The records cover a series of negotiations for an immigration agreement with the Dominican Republic. The negotiations was left off due to the position of the Dominican side. These records are made available this time in connection with disclosure of the records of circumstances of emigrants to the Republic. (see ANNEX 2)
5. Japanese Reaction to Nuclear Tests (C'4.2.1.2)
   (1 file, February 1956 - March 1966)
6. Japanese Reaction to Nuclear Tests: Petitions (C'4.1.2.2-1)
   (2 files, October 1953 - November 1967)
7. International Activities for Prohibition of Nuclear Tests [Discussions at the United Nations Trusteeship Council on Prohibition of Nuclear Tests ] (C'4.1.2.4-1)
   (1 file, July 1954 - March 1958)
   Contained in the above are the records from 1953 to 1967 on the Japanese position and reaction to nuclear tests conducted by some foreign countries, including lectures given overseas by Japanese citizens, contributions to newspapers, resolutions and opinions sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by various local communities as well as discussion at the United Nations on nuclear tests.
8. Economic and Technical Co-operation to Laos (E'2.1.15.4)
   (1 file, August 1956 - November 1966)
   The records concern Japan's economic and technical cooperation to Laos, which was then a newly independent country, including Laos' requests for co-operation and Japan's response to them.

ANNEX 2

GROUP 2. EMIGRATION OF JAPANESE PEOPLE
(24 Items, 62 Files)

J'1.1.5. (plus files 1989-1996/1997/1998/2023/2024)

Emigration to the Dominican Republic
Situations of Emigrants to the Dominican Republic

J'1.1.6.

Emigration to Bolivia
Situations of Emigrants to Bolivia

J'1.1.7.

Emigration to Peru
Situations of Emigrants to Peru

J'1.1.8.

Emigration to Ecuador
Situations of Emigrants to Ecuador

J'1.1.9

Emigration to Uruguay
Situations of Emigrants to Uruguay

J'1.1.10

Emigration to Cuba
Situations of Emigrants to Cuba

J'1.1.11

Emigration to Guatemala
Situations of Emigrants to Guatemala

J'1.1.12

Emigration to Venezuela
Situations of Emigrants to Venezuela

J'1.1.13

Emigration to Mexico
Situations of Emigrants to Mexico

GROUP 3. REPATRIATION OF JAPANESE NATIONALS AFTER THE END OF WORLD WAR II
(282 Items, 603 Files)

K'7.1.0.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)]
Records of repatriation of the Japanese nationals from China (except those from the Northeastern part of China and that after 1952), the Korean Peninsula (except North Korea), Taiwan, Southeast Asia, South Pacific islands, etc. as well as records of repatriation assistance organizations such as the Associations for Assisting Overseas Japanese, provision of repatriation allowance in Japan to repatriates and investigations of repatriates and persons not yet repatriated.

K'7.1.0.20

Debts Incurred by Japanese Consulates and Other Organiozations
Japanese Consulates and Japanese Residents' Associations on the Continent borrowed funds from Japanese residents to give relief to Japanese refugees and to promote their repatriation. Records of the repayment of these debts are included.

K'7.1.1.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)] (Investigation of Japanese Nationals Not Yet Repatriated)
Investigation of Japanese nationals not yet repatriated, etc.

K'7.1.2.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)] Repatriation from Soviet-Dominated Area
Repatriation of Japanese nationals from the U.S.S.R. and North Korea as well as from Communist China (until the end of 1952).

K'7.1.3.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)] Repatriation from Communist China (After 1952)
Repatriation of Japanese nationals after the end of 1952 from the areas under the control of the Communist Chinese Government.

K'7.1.4.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)] (Repatriation Problem Handled by the United Nations General Assembly)
Discussion at the United Nations General Assembly and at the Ad Hoc Commission on the Prisoners of War on the problem of repatriation of Prisoners of War (problem of the persons detained by the U.S.S.R., North Korea and Communist China).

K'7.1.5.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Japanese Nationals (Including Military Personnel)] (Return of Remains)
Return to Japan of remains of Japanese nationals from overseas particularly from Southeast Asian countries.

K'7.2.0.

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Former Japanese Nationals]
Repatriation from Japan of the people who were originally from Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and South Pacific islands which were Japanese territories before the end of the War as well as return of remains of such people.

K'730

Repatriation of Japanese Nationals to Japan and Repatriation of Foreigners from Japan [Foreigners]
Repatriation of Foreigners who were in Japan at the end of the War.

END