23 December 1946 MEMORANUDM FOR MAJOR GENERAL A. N. VASILYEV Subject: Shigemutsu’s Statement I return herewith the papers relating to the Shigemitsu statement, which include: 1) Photostatic copy of Japanese text; 2) English translation; 3) Autobiography and affidavit of Takahashi; 4) Statement and affidavit of Suhanov. The statements and affidavits are copies of the originals. I assume that you have a signed certificate that these are copes of the originals. The English translation of the Shigemitsu statement is not a translation directly from Japanese to English but is a translation into English from the Russian translation. An unsatisfactory situation exists in that we cannot show the English translation to be a translation directly from Japanese. As you stated, Commander Carr is unable to translate considerable portions of the Japanese document. There are many complications that may arise in regard to the translation. I suggest that you talk to me further about this phase of the matter. I think the use of this document in evidence may depend upon our ability to introduce it in evidence without too great a criticism of the translation. In the meantime, I am requesting the Investigative Division to issue a directive to the Japanese government to produce the original of this document and the other documents referred to in the first paragraph. ___________ Frank S. Tavenner, Jr.