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Parent Summary Brief about Shigenori Togo
Date
Language English
Collection Roy L. Morgan Papers
Box Box 3
Folder 1946 [IMFTE] (IPS) Translations of interrogations.
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
Summary Brief re TOGO, Shigenori Shigenori TOGO, a career diplomat, was director of the Euro-Asiatic Bureau of the Foreign Office during the period fo the negotiation and execution of the Anti-Comintern Pact. In 1937 he became Ambassador to Germany and in 1938 he was appointed Ambassador to the U.S.S.R. Recalled from the Soviet Union when MATSUOKA became Foreign Minister, he held the position of Ambassador without post until October 18, 1941, when he became Foreign Minister and Minister of Overseas Affairs in the TOJO Cabinet. Opposing the formation of the Greater East Asia Ministry, he resigned from the TOJO Cabinet in August of 1941 and in September of that year was appointed a member of the House of Peers. In April, 1945, TOGO again became Foreign Minister and also Minister of the Greater East Asia Ministry in the SUZUKI Cabinet. As the Director of the European-Asiatic Bureau of the Foreign Office, TOGO was an influential figure in the negotiation and signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact, and received a commendation for his meritorious service. As Foreign Minister in the TOJO Cabinet he participated as a member in meetings of the Cabinet, liaison conference and conferences before the throne, in which the decisions to sever negotiations with and wage war against the United States were unanimously made. As Foreign Minister, it was his responsibility to prepare the final note to the United States and members of his staff prepared the document. He approved the final note as delivered and the decision as to the time of its delivery as Foreign Minister, and in the liaison conference and cabinet meeting at which the final form of note was adopted. As Foreign Minister, the duty of transmitting the note to the Japanese Ambassador in Washington for delivery to the United States rested with him. Also as Foreign Minister, on behalf of Japan, he transmitted to the United States through the Swiss Government, the decision of Japan to abide mutatis mutandis by the several treaties regarding prisoners of war.