GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

APO 500
4 October 1947

AG 091.1 (4 Oct 47) GS
(SCAPIN-1791)

MEMORANDUM FOR	Japanese Government.
THROUGH	Central Liaison Office, Tokyo.
SUBJECT	Demobilization Machinery, Reorganization Of.

1. The Japanese Government is directed to transfer the First Demobilization Bureau (including all local agencies under its operational control, such as Home Depot Bureau, Demobilization Liaison Offices and their branches) intact to the jurisdiction and control of the Welfare Ministry, the transfer to be completed on or before 15 October 1947. Upon completion of the transfer, the Welfare Ministry will be responsible for the operation of the First Demobilization Bureau and all activities currently being carried out by such Bureau. After such transfer, demobilization will continue to be carried out in consonance with the program and processes of demobilization provided for in the memorandum for the Japanese Government, AG 388.3 (10 Oct 45) DCSO, subject, “Demobilization, Japanese Armed Forces,” memorandum AG 388.3 (1 June 46) DCS (SCAPIN 993), subject, “Establishment of Demobilization Board,” and memorandum AG 091.1 (24 Jan 47) GB (SCAPIN 1483), subject, “Personnel Reduction Demobilization Board.” In accomplishing this transfer the Japanese Government is authorized to transfer to the Welfare Ministry personnel, records, accounts, and other matters now used by or assigned to the First Demobilization Bureau and local agencies under its operational control. Transfer of personnel will not be construed as requiring any additional screening or further application of SCAPIN 550 beyond requirements already imposed by existing directives and instructions of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
2. The Japanese Government is further directed to undertake a complete and comprehensive study and survey of the organization, personnel, functions, and operating procedures of all boards, bureaus, and agencies of the Japanese Government now engaged in or charged with responsibility for demobilization, repatriation, investigation, or research of matters pertaining to the war or personnel serving in the Japanese armed forces or in any manner connected with former Japanese military organizations and to submit not later than 1 January 1948 to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers for approval, a detailed plan for the effective ultimate elimination of separate demobilization agencies and the efficient and gradual absorption of all necessary remaining functions and operations connected with demobilization and demilitarization into the permanent administrative structure of the Japanese Government. Implementation of such plan shall in no event be undertaken until the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has given final written approval but such plan will be so devised as to initiate such elimination and absorption within four months after the date of submission. Such plan will insure the continued efficient execution of existing directives and instructions of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers relating to demobilization and demilitarization. Such plan will provide for the control of the policies of agencies thereafter engaged in demilitarization and demobilization by persons not subject to the provisions of SCAPIN 550 and will insure the speedy elimination of remaining ex-military officers subject to SCAPIN 550, approval for whose retention has not been specifically granted in each individual case by the Supreme Commander for the Allied powers.
3. The Japanese Government is further directed to accomplish by 1 January 1948, unless otherwise directed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, the complete elimination of the Second Demobilization Bureau. Minesweeping and other operational responsibilities of the Second Demobilization Bureau will continue to be discharged under the direct supervision and control of Commander, United States Naval Forces Far East until such time. Necessary remaining functions and personnel will be transferred on or before such date to the jurisdiction of and will become a part of the responsibility of the Welfare Ministry or to such other agency as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers shall designate, but only such functions and personnel shall be transferred as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers shall approve.
4. Direct liaison between the demobilization agencies on the one hand and the agencies of the Occupation Forces primarily concerned with the operations of the demobilization agencies on the other hand, will continue to be maintained, and nothing in this directive will be construed as abrogating such existing direct relationships.
5. The Japanese Government is advised that nothing contained in this directive will be construed as authorizing any delay or interruption of the discharge of the responsibilities of the Japanese Government in carrying out the directives and instructions of the Supreme Commander, with especial reference to the continued smooth functions of demobilization, repatriation, demilitarization, minesweeping, and other and related activities. Nothing contained in this memorandum shall be construed to authorize the retention or employment of any personnel not now employed by the First Demobilization Bureau without the specific prior approval of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers under the terms and conditions of SCAPIN 550.
6. The Japanese Government is further directed to report on or before 15 October 1947 the steps which it plans to take in order to accomplish the transfer of the First Demobilization Bureau and related activities to the Welfare Ministry as herein directed but no approval by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers of such plans shall be required in advance.
7. Inquiries concerning this directive shall be submitted to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers only in writing and through the Central Liaison Office.

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

R.M. LEVY,
Colonel, AGD,
Adjutant General.