GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

9 October 1945

AG (091.31) ESS
(SCAPIN-110)

MEMORANDUM FOR	THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
THROUGH	Central Liaison Office, Tokyo.
SUBJECT	Import of Essential Commodities.

1. Several requests have been received from the Central Liaison Committee of the Japanese Imperial Government for authorization to import commodities deemed by it to be essntial for the maintenance of the civil population.
2. Requests to import commodities will not be submitted to this headquarters unless:
a. Such imports are vital to the maintenance of a minimum standard of living for the civil population.
b. Credits have been established for payment of imports desired by means of exports, approved by this headquarters for this purpose.
3. The Japanese Imperial Government will promptly:
a. Submit its plans for payment for approved essential imports including schedules of resources presently available to it for payment of imports and a forecast of such resources as will become available for this purpose by 31 December 1946.
b. Submit a plan whereby resources may be made available to provide necessary foreign exchange. Present to this headquarters for approval its plan to conserve or prevent to this headquarters for approval its plan to conserve or prevent the use of resources in Japan, that are not essential to the maintenance of a minimum standard of living and which are suitable for export.
c. Insure that all practicable measures are taken to achieve the maximum untilization of essential Japanese resources so that imports into Japan are limited to absolute minimum essentials. Such measures will specifically include, but are not limited to:
(1) Provision for the maximum production of crude petroleum, foodstuffs, fuel, fertilizer, salt.
(2) Establishment of such fiscal measures as are necessary for full implementation of this directive.
(3) Establishment of such labor policies as are essential for full implementation of this directive.
(4) Provision for priority of transport to such essential resources.
d. Create an agency to be responsible for receiving and for the distribution of, imports so as to insure equitable distribution at a cost consistent with current wages to the public. No person will be appointed to a responsible position in this agency who has been an active exponent of militant nationalism and aggression.

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

H.W.ALLEN
Colonel, A.G.D.,
Asst Adjutant General.