Memorandum from Major General Paul Mueller to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Attachment

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TOP OECRET TOP SECREE DECLASSIFIED E N C L O is, U R E E. o. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) OSD letter, April 12, 1974 By NLT the , NARS Date 7-3-25 GENERAL HEADQUARTERS FAR EAST COMMAND APO 500 23 December 1948 AG 091 Japan (23 Dec 48) GC-P SUBJECT: Limited Military Armament for Japan TO: Joint Chiefs of Staff 1. Reference: Memorandum for the Commander in Chief, Far East, file SM-11275, subject as above, dated 20 November 1943, with Enclosure. 2. The comments of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and Commander in Chief, Far East, as reported in Annex "B" to Enclosure mentioned in paragraph 1 above, are still applicable. 3. Complete and guaranteed neutrality is the ideal post- treaty status for Japan. Eventual attainment of this goal should not be prejudiced by forcing on Japan during the Occupation a quasi-military alliance with the United States TRUMAN and a fundamental revision of the Japanese Constitution renouncing the "right of belligerency. " c ARCHIVES "NATIONAL SERVICE" RECORDS AND F gon 4. A peace treaty for Japan cannot possibly be consummated in the foreseeable future upon any basis other than complete disarmament and neutrality. Consideration of any alternate post-treaty status at this time appears premature, and inspired speculation by the press on the subject merely strengthens Communist propaganda and jeopardizes the strong moral position of the United States. 5. Based on historical experience in the case of Germany after World War I, it would be difficult for any of the nations affected by Japanese aggression to establish completely friendly relations with Japan under any conditions which would tend to TOP SECRES - 1 - Enclosure