December 6, 1941 Ambassadors Nomura and Kurusu report to Japan that US President Roosevelt had sent a personal telegram to the Emperor. “A personal telegram to Showa Emperor from President Roosevelt” (one page) (offered by the Diplomatic Museum at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) On December 6, 1941 (US time, afternoon), Ambassador to the United States Kichisaburo Nomura and Extraordinary Ambassador Saburo Kurusu learn from an announcement made by the State Department that President Roosevelt had sent a personal telegram to the Showa Emperor and report this to Japan. Although the content of the message to the emperor sought a peaceful resolution, it could not prevent the outbreak of the war between the countries. Material 1: B02030723900 7 December 6, 1941 to December 7, 1941 (29 (left) – 30 images) “Official telegram No. 127 from Ambassador Nomura to Foreign Minister Togo on December 6, 1941” (top secret, curator addressed symbol) Material 2: B02030747400 Diplomatic Material Commentary on U.S.–Japan Negotiations Vol. 5 Tojo Cabinet Period (Part 2) 4 (28~35 images) Material 3: B02030724000 8 December 6, 1941 to December 8, 1941 (9~11 images) “Background on the personal telegram from President Roosevelt” Material 4: B02030748300 Background on U.S.–Japan Negotiations Vol. 2-3 (29 (right) – 32 images) “Conference between Minister Togo and the U.S. Ambassador on December 8” On December 6, 1941, President Roosevelt sent a personal telegram to the Showa Emperor. This was exceptional because it was sent directly from the President to the Emperor. Usually, telegrams are sent through the Japanese Embassy. Material 1 is a telegram from Ambassador to the United States Nomura to Minister of Foreign Affairs Togo, reporting that an announcement was made by the U.S. State Department on the night of the 6th (U.S. time) regarding the President’s telegram. Although the contents of the telegram were unknown, it was said to be related to penetration of Thai districts by the Japanese army’s movements in the south. Material 2 is a translation of the personal telegram into Japanese and the original passage in English. In this telegram, President Roosevelt describes the intention of wanting a peaceful rapprochement between the two countries. Material 3 provides the background of the telegram and explains that the telegram arrived at Ambassador Grew in Japan after 10 p.m. because of a delay in the arrival of the telegram: “Because of its delayed arrival, it was sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Ambassador after 10 p.m.” Additionally, the telegram was brought to the Emperor at 3 a.m. on the same date because of the strong demand made by Grew. There is an explanation in “Background on U.S.–Japan Negotiations” as well, which was later edited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Material 4). Its contents include an answer from the Emperor rendered to Ambassador Grew through Minister Togo.