Final report on my protest against the Japan Center for Asian Historical RecordsJanuary 5, 2022
The Final Report on a Case of Protest against the Japan National Archives and the Japan Center
for Asian Historical Records regarding the Special Internet Exhibit, “Diplomatic Negotiation
Between Japan and the United States—the process leading to the outbreak of the War seen
through archives”
Sugihara Seishiro
January 11, 2022
Regarding the Special Internet Exhibit, “Diplomatic Negotiation Between Japan and the UnitedStates—the process leading to the outbreak of the War seen through archives,” shown since 2005 onJapan National Archives website, I, Sugihara Seishiro, laid out my objections to the Japan National
Archives. I hereby present my final report regarding this issue.
On December 8, 2019, I sent an open letter regarding the “Special Internet Exhibit,” “Diplomatic
Negotiation Between Japan and the United States—the process leading to the outbreak of the War seen
through archives” to the Japan National Archives and stated my questions and requests concerning theSpecial Internet Exhibit.
I asked why my book, Study on Japan’s Diplomacy after the Opening of the War between Japan andthe United States, published in 1997 (by Aki Shobo) was not mentioned in the Exhibit’s references.
My book was translated into English, Chinese and Korean and points out critical historical facts
regarding negotiations between Japan and the United States which are not touched upon in mostscholarly books. For example, it is a historical fact that Japan decoded and read, to certain extent,
American diplomatic telegrams. My book also focuses on the matter of responsibility over the delay
during that crucial time of Japan handing over its “ultimatum” to the United States, which other books
rarely mention. Thus, I felt that my book is indispensable as a “reference.” So, I asked the Japan
National Archives, in an open letter to them, why my book was not included in the Exhibit’s“references” and furthermore, requested that my book be included.
Later, it turned out that the responsibility for producing this Special Exhibit rested with the Japan
Center for Asian Historical Records. Consequently, an exchange of open letters between the Japan
National Archives, the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records and me has been made public1

through the Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact. Through these open letters, I came torealize that my book was not included in 2005 as a reference because the book clearly demonstrated
the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsibility in this matter, which other scholarly books
have yet to conclude. In other words, the selection of references was made based on a masochistic
view of history prompted by Japan’s Foreign Ministry after the War. As branches of the government,
this is not acceptable or even defensible on the part of the Japan National Archives and the Japan
Center for Asian Historical Records.
I asked Mr. Harada, then a member of the House of Representatives, to arrange for a meeting between
Mr. Hatano Sumio, Director at the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records, and myself at the Japan
Center’s office on June 4, 2020. In fact, Director Hatano was not directly responsible for producing
the “references” at the time (in 2005), but Mr. Hatano immediately stated that since they were planning
to renew the “references” in the near future and that they would like to include my book in thereferences this time. Furthermore, to prove how my book is well worth being listed in the references,
I presented “Questions to Be Answered,” concerning the concealment of responsibility over the delayof the ‘Ultimatum” during the postwar years, what impact the evasion of responsibility had and whoare to blame for the concealment of responsibility. Later, Director Hatano, in his personal capacity asa scholar, sent me extremely sincere and detailed responses.
Originally, I intended to make public the “Questions to Be Answered” and Director Hatano’s reply toshow the reasonable basis of my protest. However, I came to think that if I had done this better, thenthis issue would simply end up being a personal matter, without any benefit to society at large. Uponreflection, during my discussion with Director Hatano, I came up with an idea of publishing a bookinstead, criticizing Yoshida Shigeru in the form of a dialogue.
It has been nearly a year and a half. On December 20, 2021, on the occasion of the 80th anniversaryof the outbreak of the War between Japan and the United States, I published a book A Disease Called
Yoshida Shigeru—Will Japan Return to the World? (Jiyu-Sha). Its sequel, Sequel: A Disease Called
Yoshida Shigeru—Will Japan Return to the World? (Jiyu-Sha) is slated for publication on January 23,2022. These two books are far richer in content than the afore-mentioned “Questions to Be Answered”
and letters exchanged. I sincerely hope that those who are interested in my case against the Japan
National Archives and the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records will read these books.
Initially, I intended to ask for responses to the “Questions to Be Answered” and to show them to thepublic while at the same time demanding an apology from the Japan National Archives and the Japan
Center for Asian Historical Records. However, my book, Study on Japan’s Diplomacy after the2Opening of the War between Japan and the United States, was included in the “references” on
December 2020. My two new books discussing and criticizing Yoshida Shigeru were recently andsoon to be published are far more significant as social tools than my personal questions and response
letter. Therefore, I withdrew my “Questions to Be Answered,” the need for a response and stopped
asking for an apology from the Japan National Archives and the Japan Center for Asian Historical
Records.
I was able to reach a satisfactory and meaningful conclusion, greatly owing to Mr. Hatano Sumio,Director at Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. With much gratitude to Mr. Hatano, I would
like to conclude my final report on this issue.
I also extend my heart-felt gratitude to Mr. Harada Yoshiaki, who made tremendous efforts in realizing
a fruitful resolution, recognizing this issue as an important national matter, though not much help tohim politically. Also, many thanks to Mr. Moteki Hiromichi of the Society for the Dissemination ofHistorical Fact, who contributed so much to opening the exchange of our letters and attending mymeeting with Director Hatano on June 4, 2020.
Last but not least, I sincerely thank Mr. Date Kunishige and Mr. Tadashi Hama, who contributed
reviews of my book to the Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact during my protest.
January 24, 2022

Sugihara Seishiro3