Record of a Conversation between N.S. Khrushchev and the Ambassador of Japan, S. Kadowaki

 “__” April, 1957

[Handwritten: “Record of a Conversation”]

[Crossed out: “Reception”]

[Crossed out: “Reception of the First Secretary of the CPSU CC”]

[between] N.S. Khrushchev and the Ambassador of Japan, S. Kadowaki

20 April 1957

Kadowaki reported that he came on a protocol visit. 

The ambassador expressed his happiness with respect to the fact that normal diplomatic relations have been restored between Japan and the Soviet Union with the signing of the Joint Declaration. The ambassador stated that the Soviet leaders, N.A. Bulganin and N.S. Khrushchev, and the Japanese leaders, I. Hatoyama and I. Konō, have laid a foundation of friendship between the USSR and Japan, on which they want to erect a splendid house of this friendship. Kadowaki said that without N.S. Khrushchev’s assistance, he would not have been able to erect the house of the Japanese-Soviet friendship, and requested that N.S. Khrushchev assist on his part. 

Having expressed gratitude for our notice to the Japanese regarding approximately 800 Japanese based in the USSR, among whom more than 200 want to return to Japan, Kadowaki asked N.S. Khrushchev that the Soviet side continues to inquire into the fate of the Japanese located in the USSR. 

Kadowaki also reminded that Japan-USSR negotiations on fishing have concluded in Tokyo recently, but he reported that the Japanese side wasn’t fully satisfied with the results of these negotiations. 

Cde. Khrushchev responded that we were very pleased that the state of war with Japan was terminated and the agreement in the form of a Declaration providing for the end of the state of war and for the restoration of normal diplomatic relations, was signed. He also said that we appreciated the efforts which Hatoyama and Konō had applied in resolving these issues. 

As to the Japanese [nationals] located in the USSR and assistance with repatriating them to Japan, Cde. N.S. Khrushchev said that we are of the opinion that no one should be detained. We have created lists of Japanese who wish to leave for Japan, and presented these lists to the ambassador. If in the future someone among the Japanese [nationals] who are based in the USSR expresses a wish to leave for Japan, then we will assist them with that. 

Touching upon Kadowaki’s statement that the results of the Soviet-Japanese negotiations which took place in Tokyo were not fully satisfactory for the Japanese side, Cde. N.S. Khrushchev said that this always happens during negotiations between two countries. One has to find a middle ground between the wishes of both sides. Of course this middle ground will be somewhat less than the wishes of each of the countries. This middle ground achieved during the fishing negotiations in Tokyo was the only possible one at this stage. It is beneficial for both Japan and the USSR. We proceed from understanding that both sides should be able to fish. This is a legitimate desire. But we want to be able to fish not only this year, but so that there is also fish in the next year. Cde. N.S. Khrushchev told the ambassador that the dissatisfaction of Japan is caused by our desire to restrict large harvesting of fish. But the question is how to increase the abundance of fish. We want that the increase of fishing doesn’t cause damage to the spawning stock. Cde. N.S. Khrushchev stressed that we understand the great importance of fishing industry for the Japanese people, who live on a limited territory, and we will always try to accommodate your wishes, but in a way that would preserve the fish resources. We will gladly negotiate on this issue. 

Kadowaki expressed agreement with Cde. N.S. Khrushchev’s opinion on the fishing issue and said that he brought this issue up as a general issue. He would like to specifically discuss this with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR and his deputies. [He] asked for N.S. Khrushchev’s assistance in case he would not be able to resolve these issues through negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR and his deputies.

Cde. N.S. Khrushchev replied to the ambassador that he is always ready to meet and make an effort to promote the amicable development of our relations., Cde. N.S. Khrushchev said, we will help fulfil the wish of the ambassador to build a house of Japanese-Soviet friendship on a solid foundation and will try to find good materials for this foundation. This will promote stronger peace around the world. This is our goal, too. Cde. N.S. Khrushchev assured Kadowaki that the ambassador can count on his assistance and on the assistance of Cde. N.S. Khrushchev’s friends, the leaders of the Soviet state. 

Kadowaki then touched upon the issue of nuclear and hydrogen weapons testing. He reported that according to the data received from Japanese meteorological stations and observatories in the course of the last two weeks the USSR had tested nuclear weapons five times. Moreover, the Soviet side had conducted these tests without advance notice. As a result of these nuclear tests, the ambassador said, the air in Japan was contaminated by radioactive elements, and the Japanese government was forced to inform their people about this. Kadowaki requested that the Soviet side stop the tests of nuclear and hydrogen weapons. The ambassador reported that he has already contacted the USSR MFA about this issue, but he is asking N.S. Khrushchev to also examine this issue. 

Referring to the conversation of Cde. N.S. Khrushchev with a Japanese journalist, Hatanaka, Kadowaki stated that, as he was informed, N.S. Khrushchev allegedly told Hatanaka that if the Soviet side stopped nuclear tests, then by doing so it would have demonstrated its weakness with this, and therefore the Soviet side could not stop nuclear and hydrogen weapons testing. Kadowaki stated that, if this is true, then he has to say that, if the Soviet side were the first to stop nuclear testing, then this would in no way be seen as weakness on the part of the Soviet Union. The whole world knows how powerful the USSR is. The ambassador expressed confidence that, if the Soviet side puts forward an initiative to stop nuclear testing, then the nations of the whole world will support such initiative by the USSR. 

Cde. N.S. Khrushchev said that he cannot say anything new. We are always prepared to make a decision about stopping nuclear and hydrogen weapons testing, as well as about renouncing their use and destroying stockpiles of these weapons. But so far we are alone, and the US and Britain are not supporting us. When this issue was discussed at the UN, Japan also didn’t support us, though our proposal was in Japan’s interests, and it should have supported the USSR. But apparently Japan took this position so that America wouldn’t get offended. Let’s say, said Cde. N.S. Khrushchev, we stop the tests, but the US continues them. Britain also intends to conduct tests. So what do you expect?...We are conducting nuclear and hydrogen weapons tests in order to improve these weapons, to come up with ways of cutting production costs, and to simplify their production. However, we will continue to fight for the complete prohibition of nuclear and hydrogen weapons and their tests. Cde. N.S. Khrushchev suggested that the USSR and Japan together put pressure on Britain and the US. As soon as they agree, said Cde. N.S. Khrushchev, we will sign the documents and stop testing. 

Touching upon Cde. N.S. Khrushchev’s statement that Japan didn’t support the Soviet proposal at the UN, Kadowaki stated that in the current situation it was difficult to achieve an immediate ban on nuclear testing. Japan believes that this needs to be done step by step. Therefore the Japanese side made its proposal. Japanese side, Kadowaki stated, did not do it because it didn’t want to offend the USA. It did it based on its own position. Having stressed that the current international relations are not based on such [a level] of mutual understanding, in order that a agreement on an immediate prohibition on nuclear testing could be achieved, Kadowaki asked Cde. N.S. Khrushchev whether the Soviet side could find it possible, based on the principle of humanity, to make a proposal to the USA and Britain with respect to the conditions for the prohibition of nuclear testing and ways to control compliance with the ban. The ambassador stated that it is not enough to say, “We are ready to stop nuclear and hydrogen weapons testing, if they agree.” One has to actively address this issue from the point of view of humanity. 

Cde. N.S. Khrushchev responded that this is exactly how we are addressing this issue. We have put forward practical proposals numerous times, but the Western countries didn’t support them. Having stressed that the wishes of Japan and the USSR coincide – both countries wish for the speediest ban on nuclear weapons, - Cde. N.S. Khrushchev appealed for support of our proposals. We are going to fight, said Cde. N.S. Khrushchev, together with everyone who wants to achieve a prohibition of nuclear and hydrogen weapons.

Kadowaki acknowledged that the USSR and Japan have a common goal. But to achieve this goal, the ambassador said, it is necessary that the Soviet side, which occupies a strong position, take the initiative.

Cde. N.S. Khrushchev remarked that we have done that. 

At the end of the conversation Cde. N.S. Khrushchev said that it would be advisable to establish regular air and sea service between the USSR and Japan. The ambassador expressed confidence in the possibility of establishing such service. 

The conversation lasted one hour.

Present at the conversation were First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Takayama, and Second Secretary of the Far East Department of the USSR Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Cde. A.S. Chasovnikov.

The conversation was recorded by                

[signature]

A.S. Chasovnikov