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From: Berlin (~-Musha.koji) 

To: Foreign Minister, Tokyo. 4 January 1937 

(Red) 

#4. 

I fear that if we continue to employ the special method of using 

the machine which we have been using in matters concerning the JapaneseGerman agreement, we would give a clue to the reading of our future 

messages. I fear very much that these messages which we are sending 

back and forth might be particuiarly susceptible to being read; therefore, I think that we had better adopt a replacement system for this 

particular subject, and, of course, inform the proper people; and while 

awaiting the completion of the new set-up, I think we should burn up 

every document which we possess in connection with the present method 

of use. Although the additional apparatus which you sent on the Matsu 

Maru for modifying the machine is indeed very fine, nevertheless, in 

such an old-style, inefficient safe as we have in this office, there is 

a danger that an arrangement established with so much trouble would 

only end in advantage to the enemy. (Our high officials in Europe are 

much in same position as I with only minor differences.) Therefore, I 

should like.to ask you to send to the high officials concerned safe 

repositories for storing the ma.chine. 

\ 

Navy. 

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 01-02-2014 pursuant to E.O. 1352e 
REF ID:A71152 

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\ .. . . - REF ID:A71152 

From: Tokyo. (Arita). 

To: Japanese Ambassador, Berlin 

9 January 1937. 

Red 

#6. Re. your 4. 

1. What you say is doubtless true, but if any cipher machine is 

considered, the possibility of the messages being deciphered continues 

theoretically, even after the key has been replaced since the messages 

are extant. So, I cannot see how you can raise the question of changing 

the keys of the messages concerning the .Japanese-German agreement. The 

real question that we are concerned with is keeping the key secret. So 

long as the key does not leak out, the Department of Foreign Affairs thinks 

that these negotiations between us and Germany offer no clue, and even 

though the machine itself may be known, there is no danger of_ solution. 

Since we have so many permutations of the basic keying elements, no 

entering wedge is afforded to outsiders so far as this special system 

is concerned. So long as the system does not leak out, considering its 

great variability and its great number of permutations, I dare say that 

its security in the future will still be very high. Therefore, I think 

that the danger which you say you feel in continuing the use of the 

special key is fanciful indeed. 

2. Concerning the matter of a safe for storing the machine, considering its large size and shape, it is extremely hard to provide the 

same very soon. The machines have not been kept in safes for the last 

five years. We are considering handling them in the way that the Navy 

handles its similar machines, but right now, force of circumstances does 

not permit us to realize this. So I think if you will advise the 

different high officials in Europe to conform to instructions for the use 

of the machine, there will not be as much danger as you think.· I do not 

ARMY (5) 
' .. ., . REF ID:A71152 

-

wish to minimize the importance or preserving secrecy, but without 

mincing words, while I would like to act on this matter, I cannot do 

anything now, and I ask you to reconsider your message'.. 

Army (5) 
'•. REF ID:A71152 

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REF ID:A71152 

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REF ID:A71152 

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Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 03-10-2014 pursuantto E .0. 1352a 
REF ID:A71152 

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REF ID:A71152 

8 JANUARY 1937 

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REF ID:A71152 

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REF ID:A71152 

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