Memorandum for President Harry S. Truman

Jafa DECLASSIFIED E.O. State 5.3.22 letter, Aug. 10, 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or 1972 (E) Dept. NLI W of NARS Date 2.3.25 TOP provide AUG 13 3 1945 By MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: National Composition of Forces to Occupy Japan Proper in the Post-Defeat Period. The State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed that the following is the policy of the United States with regard to the responsibility of the major Allies and possibly other United Nations at war with Japan, and the apportionment of such responsibility, for occupation and for the military government of Japan Proper in the post-defeat period: l. This Government is committed to consulta- tion with those of its Allies at war with Japan. b. This Government is also committed to the principle of united action for the prosecution of the war and acting together in all matters relating to the surrender and disarmament of Japan. c. The United Kingdom, China and the Soviet Union have a responsibility to participate with the United States in the occupation and military control of Japan and the obligation to assume a share in the burden thereof. d. While the establishment of policies for the control of Japan is a matter to be entered into by the major Allies in harmony with the United Nations, the United States should insist on the control of the implementation of those policies. The United States should exercise the controlling voice in the occupation authority in Japan Proper, should make available its share of occupational forces, should designate the commander of all occupational forces and principal subordin- ate commanders, and should keep strategically ARCHIVES placed KECORDS TOP - 581 429