Report from the German ambassador in Tokyo on Japan's expectation of a conflict with the United States, and a consquent German-Japanese "community of fate" in the Three Power Pact

Telegram
(Secret Cipher System)
Tokyo 30 November 1941 10.10 hrs.
Arrived 2 December 1941 14.40 hrs.
#2397 dated November 30.
The progress of the negotiations so far confirms his viewpoint that the difference of opinion between Japan and the U.S. is very great. The Japanese government, since it sent Ambassador Kurusu, has taken a firm stand, as he told me. He is convinced that this position is in our favor and makes the United States think that her entry into the European war would be risky business. The new American proposal of 25 November showed great divergences in the viewpoints of the two nations. These differences of opinion concern, for example, the further treatment of the Chinese question. The biggest [one word missing] however resulted from the U.S. attempt to make the three power agreement ineffective. U.S. suggested to Japan to conclude treaties of non-aggression with the U.S., the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and other countries in order to prevent Japan's entry into the war on the side of the Axis powers. Japan, however, insisted upon maintaining her treaty obligations and for
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this reason American demands are the greatest obstacles for adjusting Japanese-American relations. He avoided discussing concessions promised by the U.S. and merely mentioned that grave decisions were at stake.
The U.S. is seriously preparing for war and is about to operate a considerable part of its fleet from Southern Pacific bases. The Japanese government is busy working out an answer in order to clarify its viewpoint. But he has no particulars at that moment. He thinks the American proposals, as a whole, unacceptable.
Japan is not afraid of a breakdown of negotiations and she hopes that in that case Germany and Italy, according to the three power agreement, would stand at her side. I answered that there could be no doubt about Germany's future position. Japanese foreign minister thereupon stated that he understood from my words that Germany in such a case would consider her relationship to Japan as that of a community of fate. I answered, according to my opinion, Germany was certainly ready to have mutual agreement between the two countries on this situation.
Minister of foreign affairs answered that it was possible that he would come back to this point soon. The conversation with the Minister of foreign affairs confirmed the impression that the U. S. note, in fact, is very unsatisfactory even for the compromiseseeking politicans here. For these circles America's position, especially in the China question, is very disappointing. The emphasis upon the three power pact as being the main obstacle between successful Japanese-U.S. negotiations seems to point to the fact that the Japanese Government is becoming aware of the necessity of close cooperation with the Axis powers.