Soviet-Japanese Pact

Soviet-Japanese Neutrality and denunciation.
This file contains the following documents in order of 
appearance in the file:
(1) PACT OF NEUTRALITY BETWEEN UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 
REPUBLICS AND JAPAN
(2) DECLARATION REGARDING MONGOLIA
(3) SOVIET DENUNCIATION OF PACT WITH JAPAN
(4) SOVIET WAR DECLARATION ON JAPAN
----------------------------------------------------------------
(1) PACT OF NEUTRALITY BETWEEN UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST 
REPUBLICS AND JAPAN
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of teh Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, guided 
by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations 
between teh two countries, have decided to conclude a pact on 
neutrality, for which purpose they have appointed as their 
Representatives:
the Presidum of teh Supreme Soviet of teh Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics -
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Chairman of the Council of 
People's Commissars and People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of 
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan -
Yosuke Matsuoka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jusanmin, Cavalier 
of the Order of teh Sacred Treasure of the First Class, and
Yoshitsugu Tatekawa, Ambassador Extraordinary and 
Plenipotentiary to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 
Lieutenant General, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of the 
Rising Sun of the First Class and the Order of the Golden Kite 
of the Fourth Class,
who, after an exchange of their credentials, which were found in 
due and proper form, have agreed on the following:
ARTICLE ONE
Both Contracting Parties undertake to maintain peaceful and 
friendly relations between them and mutually respect the 
territorial integrity and inviolability of the other Contracting 
Party.
ARTICLE TWO
Should one of the Contracting Parties become the object of 
hostilities on the part of one or several third powers, the 
other Contracting Party will observe neutrality throughout the 
duration of the conflict.
ARTICLE THREE
The present Pact comes into force from the day of its 
ratification by both Contracting Parties and remains valid for 
five years. In case neither of the Contracting Parties 
denounces the Pact one year before the expiration of the term, 
it will be considered automatically prolonged for the next five 
years.
ARTICLE FOUR
The present Pact is subject to ratification as soon as possible. 
The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Tokyo, 
also as soon as possible.
In confirmation whereof the above-named Representatives have 
signed the present Pact in two copies, drawn up in the Russian 
and Japanese languages, and affixed thereto their seals.
Done in Moscow on April 13, 1941, which corresponds to the 13th 
day of the fourth month of the 16th year of Showa.
V. MOLOTOV
YOSUKE MATSUOKA
YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA
----------------------------------------------------------------
(2) DECLARATION REGARDING MONGOLIA
DECLARATION
In conformity with the spirit of the Pact on neutrality 
concluded on April 13, 1941, between the U.S.S.R. and Japan, the 
Government of the U.S.S.R. and the Government of Japan, in the 
interest of insuring peaceful and friendly relations between the 
two countries, solemnly declare that the U.S.S.R. pledges to 
respect teh territorial integrity and inviolability of 
Manchoukuo and Japan pledges to respect the territorial 
integrity and inviolability of the Mongolian People's Republic.
Moscow, April 13, 1941
On behalf of teh Government of the U.S.S.R. 
V. MOLOTOV
On behalf of the Government of Japan
YOSUKE MATSUOKA
YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA
----------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SOVIET DENUNCIATION OF PACT WITH JAPAN
(The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XII, No. 305, April 29, 
1945)
The American Ambassador at Moscow transmitted to the Secretary 
of State, by a telegram dated April 5, 1945, the following 
statement, as received from the press section of the Foreign 
Office, regarding Soviet denunciation of the U.S.S.R.-Japanese 
neutrality pact:
" 'Today at 3 p.m. People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the 
USSR Mr. V. M. Molotov, received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. N. 
Sato, and made the following statement to him in the name of the 
Soviet Government:
" 'The neutrality pact between the Soviet Union and Japan was 
concluded on April 13, 1941, that is, before the attack of 
Germany on the USSR and before the outbreak of war between Japan 
on the one hand and England and the United States on the other. 
Since that time the situation has been basically altered. 
Germany has attacked the USSR, and Japan, ally of Germany, is 
aiding the latter in its war against the USSR. Furthermore 
Japan is waging a war with the USA and England, which are allies 
of the Soviet Union.
" 'In these circumstances the neutrality pact between Japan and 
the USSR has lost its sense, and the prolongation of that pact 
has become impossible.
" 'On the strength of the above and in accordance with Article 
Three of the above mentioned pact, which envisaged the right of 
denunciation one year before the lapse of the five year period 
of operation of the pact, the Soviet Government hereby makes 
know to the Government of Japan its wish to denounce the pact of 
April 13, 1941.'
" 'The Japanese Ambassador Mr. N. Sato, promised to inform the 
Japanese Government of the statement of the Soviet Government."
----------------------------------------------------------------
(4) SOVIET WAR DECLARATION ON JAPAN
London, Aug., 8, 1945 - Foreign Commissar Molotoff's (sic) 
announcement of the declaration of war, as broadcast by Moscow, 
follows:
On Aug. 8, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the 
U.S.S.R. Molotoff received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sato, 
and gave him, on behalf of the Soviet Government, the following 
for transmission to the Japanese Government:
"After the defeat and capitulation of Hitlerite Germany, Japan 
became the only great power that sill stood for the continuation 
of the war.
"The demand of the three powers, the United States, Great 
Britain and China, on July 26 for the unconditional surrender of 
the Japanese armed forces was rejected by Japan, and thus the 
proposal of the Japanese Government to the Soviet Union on 
mediation in the war in the Far East loses all basis.
"Taking into consideration the refusal of Japan to capitulate, 
the Allies submitted to the Soviet Government a proposal to join 
the war against Japanese aggression and thus shorten the 
duration of the war, reduce the number of victims and facilitate 
the speedy restoration of universal peace.
"Loyal to its Allied duty, the Soviet Government has accepted 
the proposals of the Allies and has joined in the declaration of 
the Allied powers of July 26.
"The Soviet Government considers that this policy is the only 
means able to bring peace nearer, free the people from further 
sacrifice and suffering and give the Japanese people the 
possibility of avoiding the dangers and destruction suffered by 
Germany after her refusal to capitulate unconditionally.
"In view of the above, the Soviet Government declares that from 
tomorrow, that is from Aug. 9, the Soviet Government will 
consider itself to be at war with Japan."
Formatted, edited and indexed by
Larry W. Jewell
jewell@mace.cc.purdue.edu
category:Pre Cold War