GENERAL HEADQUARTERS SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
APO 500
13 August 1946
Information of General Application pertaining to Directive Number (SCAPIN-1135), file AG 387. 6 (13 Aug 46) ESS/IN dated 13 August 1946 subject: "Reparations Selections within the Shipbuilding Industry. "
1. With reference to memorandum number (SCAPIN-1135), for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to the Imperial Japanese Government, the following is published for all concerned.
2. The purpose in issuing the attached letter to the Imperial Japanese Government and accompanying letter to the Commanding General, Eighth United States Army, and Commander Naval Activities, Japan, is to insure availability of facilities in listed Shipyards in best possible condition for interim reparations removals.
3. The facilities within listed plants which may be considered suitable for reparations are all major units and auxiliary equipment except those units composed principally of masonry and which are not sufficiently enclosed in metal framework as to prevent loosening of the masonry during transportation to another site. This problem will arise in the transportation of brass and iron foundries within the shipyard.
4. It is not contemplated that buildings which are part of Shipyards taken under custody and control will be used for reparations or destroyed, except in special cases. Such cases may be those in which part of the building frame forms an overhead craneway and the steel building skeleton can be easily dismantled for resetting. If any building, other than those likely to be dismantled, is requested by the Japanese and it can be used by them without jeopardizing the primary mission of safeguarding reparations equipment it may be released to them.
5. The primary reason for allowing continued production in any of the listed Shipyards is to meet the needs of the Occupation Forces and Civilian Economy. Insofar as possible all production and repair work in these shipyards should be arranged so as to reduce inventories of steel plates raw materials, and other Shipbuilding materials to practicable working minimums so that shutdowns, when necessary for reparations removal will have the minimum disruptive effect on the overall civilian economy.
6. It is contemplated that the Japanese will furnish personnel and material required by you; that custodial personnel selected will be individuals previously employed in each Shipyard who are familiar with its equipment and requirements for maintenance.
7. It is expected that the Japanese will perform proper maintenance of equipment to preserve it in good condition. Such maintenance of equipment is to include sufficient oilding and greasing with necessary materials to be furnished by the Japanese Government when not avilable at the Shipyards.
8. It is expected that a system will be established for spot checking each shipyard periodically. When a corrective action can be accomplished locally by conferences it should be done. In cases of wilful violation or neglect, immediate report should be made through military channels for corrective action.
9. A letter of command instructions pertaining to the execution of the subject memorandum follows through command channels.
/s/ A. J. Rehe
/t/ R. G. HERSEY,
Lt. Col., AGD,
Asst. Adj. General.
Distribution same as SCAPIN 1135 less Imperial Japanese Government
MEMO FOR RECORD : (SCAPIN - 1135)
JZR/GEM/frg
9 August 1946
1. WARCOS radio W 89351, 28 May 1946, directs SCAP to designate for interim reparations, shipyards primarily engaged in the building, repair and maintenance of steel ships over 100 gross tons.
2. The existing capacity of new construction per year in the Japanese shipyards is 1, 900, 000 gross tons and the repair capacity is 8, 800,000) gross tons. The capacities of the shipyard up for reparations per year in new construction is 1, 270, 000 gross tons and repair 2, 880, 000 gross tons, After reparations under the present plans have been completed, the capacities per year of the shipyards in Japan will be new construction, 650,000 gross tons and repair 5, 900, 000 gross tons.
3. The initial list of shipyards to be placed in custody by the accompanying directive and made available for interim reparations, comprise 20 private shipyards and the 5 Japanese Naval shipyards. The remaining 64 privately-owned shipyards have not been included in the list of those to be placed in custody for reason that they are vitally important to the occupation forces and civilian economy. The shipyard capacity in Japan, after reparations have been completed, will be sufficient to maintain the required construction and repair program for the proposed merchant fleet, fishing fleet, and emergency repairs on United Nations vessels in Japanese waters.
4. Concurrence: G-4
ComNavJap
G. W.