GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

23 December 1945

AG 313 (23 Dec 45) GC
(SCAPIN - 483)

MEMORANDUM FOR	IMPERIAL JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
THROUGH	Central Liaison Office, Tokyo.
SUBJECT	Return of Certain Documents by Repatriating Oversea Forces.

1. Reference is made to:
a. Memorandum this headquarters, file AG 091.3 (22 Sep 45) ESS, subject: "Control over Import and Exports of Gold, Silver, Securities and Financial Instruments."
b. Memorandum this headquarters, file AG 091.31 (12 Oct 45) ESS, subject: "Supplemental Instructions Relating to Import and Export Controls."
c. Memorandum this headquarters, file AG 091.31 (26 Nov 45) ESS/FI, subject: "Postal Savings Pass Books Issued in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Kwantung Province and North China."
d. Memorandum this headquarters, file AG 091,714 (12 Dec 45) ESS/FI, subject: "Supplemental Instructions Relating to Import and Export Controls."
e. Memorandum this headquarters, file AG 091,31 (17 Dec 45) ESS/FI, subject: "Supplemental Instructions Relating to Import and Export Controls."
f. Letter, file S 453, dated 6 December 1945, from Liaison Commission for the Imperial Japanese Demobilization Ministries, subject: "Petition to Bring Back Documents Necessary for Repatriating Oversea Forces."
2. Instructions contained in reference cited in paragraphs 1a through 1e above represent the basic directives which govern the type of banking documents and financial instruments that may be brought into Japan. In amplification of these directives and in reply to letter referred to in paragraph 1f above the following documents may be brought into Japan by repatriating oversea forces:
a. Administrative documents relating to military personnel to include service records, data on promotions, awards, decorations, pay, allowances and allotments, and other official documents necessary for completing final records and discharge papers of military and auxiliary personnel. Administrative regulations and procedures covering personnel matters are included in this authorization.
b. Table of Organization and Equipment, strength returns, change in command and military directories.
c. Health regulations, hospital records and sick reports.
d. Courts Martial proceedings, records of arrests and confinements, and files of pending cases.
e. Inventories, budgets, receipts, disbursements and settlements of purely military accounts.
f. Demobilization and repatriation regulations.
g. Census of Japanese nationals in various areas.
h. Official documents necessary for settlement of account of the deceased who were formerly in the military or auxiliary service.
i. Lists of missing personnel and deserters.
3. Documents listed in paragraphs 2a through 2i above will be subject to screening by appropriate authorities at ports of embarkation and debarkation. When cleared at port of embarkation the documents will be placed aboard departing repatriation vessels in the custody of an individual designated by the Allied Commander in that area. The appointed custodian of the documents will present his credentials and clearance certificate from the port of embarkation to the proper authority at the port of embarkation for final clearance to transfer these documents to the control of Imperial Japanese Government.
4. Permission to bring into Japan documents not specifically authorized in this memorandum will require approval from this headquarters in each case. Descriptive lists of other documents desired may be submitted for consideration.
5. The provisions of this memorandum are to be construed as a matter of policy and do not abrogate the prerogatives of the local commander to retain in his area such documents as he considers necessary.
6. Upon request all documents received by the Imperial Japanese Government under this authority will be made accessible to this headquarters for inspection and examination.
7. Commanders of those areas from which repatriations in progress are being furnished a copy of this correspondence.

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

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