Chapter 70 Section IX

The whereabouts of the missing Rastovorov were unknown for seven months.But the Japanese government actually understands the situation. (Refer to the above-mentioned confidential document from US Ambassador to Japan Allison to Foreign Minister Okazaki.) In any case, Japan was already an independent country that had concluded a peace treaty with the United States.Secretly leaving the country is a violation of national law.The United States disregarded Japan's national laws and sent Rastovorov away by plane without authorization. This was a major insult to the Japanese government and an act that violated Japan's sovereignty.As mentioned earlier, after Rastovorov made a statement at the press conference, the newspapers published the remarks of Foreign Minister Okazaki, but the US authorities only stated that "the handling of this time is really regrettable, and we will not do such things in the future." ——Apologizing like this is the end of the matter?

Moreover, it is also doubtful whether the United States has any real intention of apologizing to Japan, and how sincere it is to abide by the guarantee. Regarding this point, it is reminiscent of the "Ludigen Incident" that happened a year ago.In his book "Ten Years of Memories", then National Police Chief Saito Noboshi wrote the following passage about Mr. Lu Digen's confinement by the Japanese and American secret service: "In order to prevent this issue from being used by the anti-American movement, I strongly express to the United States that I hope that the United States will apologize to our country. At least, if the United States issues a statement to the following effect: 'After the peace treaty takes effect, the Japanese authorities will not be notified, and the United States will take action. Arresting Deer is a major misstep.' That would show the spirit of justice in the United States. I think that since it is not a god, it is inevitable for anyone to make mistakes; if the United States candidly apologize for this matter, it will be shocking. The greatness of the United States. I went to the American embassy and put forward my personal opinion strongly. But their reply to me was: "We understand what you said very well. But if the United States wants to arrest the enemy of the Japanese people - spies, that is It is difficult to make an apology for the traitor. I don’t know why.’ As a result, only the United States issued a notice saying: ‘When the peace treaty concluded with the Japanese government came into effect, if it had issued a notice on this matter, there would have been no cause for concern. Such a troublesome question', forget it."

Just one year after Chief Saito made this protest, the United States did the same in this "Rastovorov Incident".Therefore, it is difficult to say how much sincerity the United States has in paying lip service to Japan's sovereignty. Besides, after Rastovorov's disappearance, before Japan and the United States issued a joint statement, the two sides had quite frequent contacts through diplomatic, security authorities, and military authorities.This activity was carried out prudently and secretly, and the two parties must have issued an order to keep it strictly confidential to outsiders.

However, during the seven months between Rastovorov's disappearance and the publication of the incident, various activities took place between Japan and the United States. Among them, the most important ones are listed as follows: The United States discussed the issue of Japan's accession to the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization from diplomatic and military perspectives. Second, there was an extremely secret negotiation on the assistance of the "Common Security Act", so that the financial circles thought that the content was economic assistance.During this period, along with receiving the above-mentioned aid, the Japanese government quietly drafted and passed the "Defense Secrets Protection Act."According to the United States, the United States supplied weapons to Japan, but Japan did not have the laws necessary to keep them secret; this was as dangerous to the United States as giving the keys to spies.

The passage of the "Secret Protection Act" is bound to be severely criticized by Japanese public opinion, which is predictable.To counter this criticism, countermeasures must be taken.Therefore, it is necessary to let the Japanese people know about the so-called espionage incident in which the Soviet Union obtained important information from various aspects of Japan (especially from the government).The "Rastovorov incident" was announced seven months later, in fact, to achieve such a goal in Japan. Under such circumstances, it is also necessary for Japan to provide "evidence" for Rastovorov's confession in the United States.Sure enough, the day after the Japanese newspaper published the joint statement, a major surrendered himself to the Metropolitan Police Department.

"According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the official statement that 'the Japanese involved in Rastovorov surrendered' refers to a former army major (aged 35). The former major was in La On February 5, shortly after Stovorov's disappearance, he volunteered to assist in the search at the Metropolitan Police Department. This person had served as Rastovorov's agent and had done intelligence for Rastovorov. work, but because he voluntarily asked for assistance as a search, he was not treated as a suspect, nor was he treated as a 'self-surrender', and of course he was not arrested. It is said that the demobilized soldiers who returned from the Soviet Union would provide the United States through Rastovorov with high-level intelligence on Japan’s politics, economy, and defense, as well as information on the Soviet Union.” (See "Asahi Shimbun", August 10, Net. day)

This is the earliest evidence presented by the Japanese side regarding Rastovorov's testimony.But what a poor proof this is!The next day the newspaper immediately announced that the major was Major Zhiwei.He was "not only not considered a suspect...certainly not arrested".Just as Rastovorov's exaggerated statement gave the impression of "emptiness" to the journalists from various countries who flocked to the State Department, the same happened in Japan. However, after Major Shiwei surrendered himself, some people were arrested. Subsequently, Shoji Hiroshi, an official of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nobuno Higurashi, an official of the European and American Bureau, and Reimo Takamo, an official of the Economic Bureau, were arrested, but it was not confirmed that the case contained any particularly serious intelligence activities.Rather, it is poor in content, as pointed out below.Moreover, all three of them were officials below the middle level, not even the assistant to the section chief.