June 22, 1941 At a meeting between Ambassador Nomura and Secretary of State Hull, Hull delivers an oral statement and on May 31 (Japan time June 1), the US Government’s amendments to the Japanese proposal are presented. “June 23, 1941, official telegram No. 424, from Ambassador Nomura to Foreign Minister Konoe” (1 page ) (Offered by the Diplomatic Museum at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) From Wednesday, June 11, 1:00-, (U.S. time June 21, 12:00–) Ambassador to the United States Kichisaburo Nomura meets with Secretary of State Hull. Both Japan and the US suggest modifications to the Japan–US Draft Agreement, and Hull presents the US Government’s amendments to the Japanese proposal on May 31. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yosuke Matsuoka reacts sharply when learning of the proposed amendments, and negotiations are undermined. Document 1: B02030715300 11 From May 20, 1941 to June 23 (Images 54 to 58) “June 23, 1941, official telegram No. 424, from Foreign Minister Matsuoka to Ambassador Nomura. (Top Secret, Chief Officer’s Code) Document 2: B02030715300 11 From May 20, 1941 to June 23 (Images 62 to 73) “The proposal from the United States on May 31 (English)” Document 3: B02030715300 11 From May 20, 1941 to June 23 (Images 59 to 61) “June 23, 1941, official telegram No. 425, from Foreign Minister Matsuoka to Ambassador Nomura. (Foreign Affairs-Secret, Managed by Chief Officer’s Code) (Copy) Document 4: B02030715400 12. From May 12, 1941 to July 10 (Images 28 to 32) “Counterproposal from the United States (Received by the Ambassador to the U.S. on June 22) (Top Secret) (Unofficial, Exploratory and Without Commitment)” Document 5: B02030715400 12 From May 12, 1941 to July 10 (Images 33 to 39) “”Oral Statement”, June 21, 1941, Exhibit A (From Secretary of State to Japanese Ambassador, From Japanese Ambassador to Secretary of State), Exhibit B” Document 6: B02030715400 12 From May 12, 1941 to July 10 (Images 20 to 27) “The United States’ Main Amendment to Japan’s Proposal” On June 22, 1941, Secretary of State Hull delivered to Ambassador Nomura documents laying out the American position arising from the talks thus far. The documents included text, an “oral statement” and an four attachments including an “exchange of notes” and were put together in the form of the United States’ response. However, included in the text was the proviso “Unofficial, Exploratory and without Commitment”, meaning that the document could not be invoked as the official response of the United States government. Document 1 a telegram to Japan detailing the circumstances of the meeting and Ambassador Nomura’s decision: “The discrepancies between the American and Japanese claims does not mean there is no room for negotiations” “As Ambassador I consider that it is advantageous not to bring discussions to a close at this time” Document 2 is the proposal from the United States (in English: Document 4 is the Japanese translation) Document 3 sets out revisions to the proposal. Document 5 and 6 are documents prepared as explanatory memoranda for use at the conference and include the “Oral Statement” and “exchange of notes” which were delivered at that time.