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Conversation: 845-006

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Start Date: 31-Jan-1973 3:10 PM

End Date: 31-Jan-1973 4:05 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Sato, EisakuUshiba, NobuhikoScowcroft, Brent G. (Gen.)Arima, TatsuoWickel, James J.Kissinger, Henry A.Kimura, ToshioYamanaka, SadanoriKusuda, MinoruMurato, Ryohei

Recording Device: Oval Office

845-006a.mp3

845-006b.mp3

NARA Description:

On January 31, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Eisaku Sato, Nobuhiko Ushiba, Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Tatsuo Arima, James J. Wickel, Henry A. Kissinger, Toshio Kimura, Sadanori Yamanaka, Minoru Kusuda, and Ryohei Murato met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:10 pm to 4:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 845-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 845-6

Date: January 31, 1973
Time: 3:10 pm and 4:05 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Eisaku Sato, Nobuhiko Ushiba, Gen. Brent Scrowcroft, Tatsuo Arima,
and James J. Wickel

       Introductions
             -Seating arrangements
                                             -6-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                      (rev. Mar.-09)

                                                              Conversation No. 845-6 (cont’d)

       Okinawa
            -Reversion to Japan

       Spiro T. Agnew's visit
             -Ceremony
             -[Emperor of Japan] Hirohito
                  -Sentiment in Japan
                        -Matthew C. Perry
                              -US-Great Britain competition
                                    -“Opening of Japan”
                  -US relations with Japan
                        -Watershed
                  -Perry

       Sato's visit to New York
             -Columbia University
             -Japan - America society
             -Japan House
             -Japan Chamber of Commerce
             -Japan House
                     -Construction
                     -Rockefeller family

       Vietnam settlement
            -The President’s accomplishments
            -Lyndon B. Johnson

Kissinger entered at 3:18 pm.

       Okinawa reversion

       Vietnam settlement
            -Johnson
                  -The President's conversation
                        -Harry S. Truman's funeral
                  -Kissinger's conversation

       Johnson
            -Health
            -Claudia A. (“Lady Bird”) Johnson
                                     -7-

           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                              Tape Subject Log
                               (rev. Mar.-09)

                                                     Conversation No. 845-6 (cont’d)

           -Press release

Vietnam settlement
     -Negotiations
           -Japan
           -North Vietnam
     -US bombing of North Vietnam
     -Requirements
           -Honorable peace
           -Domestic considerations
                 -Johnson, John F. Kennedy
     -Japan, France, Australia
           -Peace movements
     -US commitments
           -South Vietnam
           -Japan
           -France
     -Declaration of war
     -Peace activists
           -Difficulties
     -Significance for US allies
           -US commitments
           -Great power relations
           -Unity against aggression
     -Bombing of North Vietnam
           -Soviet Union [USSR], People's Republic of China [PRC]
                 -Relations with US
Kakuei Tanaka
     -Visit to PRC
           -US relations with Japan
                 -Security treaty
                 -Okinawa
                        -Defense plan

Sato’s relationship with the President
      -Johnson’s death
      -1973 inauguration
      -The President’s public comments
      -US relations with Japan
             -New approach
                                             -8-

                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                      (rev. Mar.-09)

                                                               Conversation No. 845-6 (cont’d)


      US relationship with Japan
           -Sato’s role
                  -Domestic considerations
                        -Political left
                               -Western Europe, Australia
                               -US alliances
                                     -Opposition
                        -Great Britain
                               -Japan
                               -Communists, Socialists
                               -Disarmament

      Importance of strength
           -Opposition to aggression
           -Japan, US, Great Britain, Europe
           -Alliances
           -“Peace at any price”
                 -Danger

      US relationship with Japan
           -The President's relationship with Sato and Kishi
                  -The President’s visits to Japan
                  -Personal friendship
           -Okinawa
           -Former Japanese Prime Ministers
                  -Health
                  -Kishi
           -Tanaka
           -The President's birthday
                  -Japanese zodiac

      White House dinner
           -Participants
           -Former Japanese ministers
                 -Okinawa

Toshio Kimura, Sadanori Yamanaka, Minoru Kusuda and Ryohei Murato entered at 4:03 pm; the
White House photographer was also present.
                                                -9-

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                          Tape Subject Log
                                           (rev. Mar.-09)

                                                             Conversation No. 845-6 (cont’d)

        Photography session
             -Interpreters
        Tape recorder
             -Recording demonstration

Sato, et al. left at 4:05 pm.