SECRET
Office Foreign Intelligence Dept Foreign Affairs Nr 173/41 (g.K.Chefs III org)
May 24, 1941
[Stamp] Air-Corps-Operational, 7 copies Staff I a, 2 copies May 24, 41 No. 279.
[Stamp] TOP SECRET (to be forwarded) By Officer only
To be presented to the Chief of the Armed Forces High Command.
[Marginal note:]
The Military Attache Tokio reports with No. T 47 signed May 23.
In interview with Akita on handling of relations between Japan and USA in the press, desire was expressed to hear Okamoto on the form in which Japan would start hostilities in case of a war between USA and Germany. Instead of a reception by Okamoto visit with Akita who explained:
[Marginal note:]
To be presented to the Chief of the Office Foreign Intelligence (simultaneously for ZL).
1. In case USA enters war, Japan acknowledges treaty obligations at once. However, would not open hostilities immediately. Preparations for attack on Singapore and Manila stand.
2. Possible war Russia-Germany causes USA entry into war. Japanese action as mentioned under 1 plus preparation of possible attacks (on) Vladivostok and Blagowesqensk.
[Marginal note:]
(To be presented to the) Operational Staff of the Air-Forces I. C.
3. Conclusion of conflict with China important before new tasks
for Japanese Armed Forces. I am stressing first that Japanese recognition of obligations under treaty needs confirmation by immediate opening of hostilities. .
Signature: Bueckner
U R la
Copy to:
L.
3 Ski
Sonderstb H.H.K.
Schmid [in crayon]
May 24
100
Message from the German military attache in Tokyo to the foreign intelligence service, on the conditions under which Japan would go to war against the United States and/or the USSR
Date: 23 May 1941
Defendant: Wilhelm Keitel
Total Pages: 2
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: PS-1538
Citations: IMT (page 1237), IMT (page 1253)
HLSL Item No.: 450937
Notes:The name of the German attache is not provided.
Trial Issues
Conspiracy (and Common plan, in IMT) (IMT, NMT 1, 3, 4) IMT count 1: common plan or conspiracy (IMT) IMT count 2: crimes against peace (wars of aggression) (IMT) Wars of aggression
Document Summary
PS-1538: Report from Military Attache in Tokyo to Amt Ausl./Abw. Regarding Japanese War Plans
PS-1538: Top-secret message from the German military attache in Tokio, to foreign intelligence service, 23 May 1941: Japan’s intentions if (1) Usa or (2) Ussr should enter the war