SCAPIN-721: CURRENCY AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BROUGHT INTO JAPAN BY REPATRIATES
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
APO 500
8 February 1946
AG 130
(8 Feb 46)
ESS/FI
(SCAPIN-721)
| MEMORANDUM FOR | IMPERIAL JAPANESE GOVERNMENT. |
|---|---|
| THROUGH | Central Liaison Office, Tokyo. |
| Subject | Currency and Financial Instruments brought into Japan by Repatriates. |
1. Reference is made to Memorandum for the Imperial Japanese Government, this Headquarters, file AG 091. 31 (12 Oct 45) ESS/FI, dated 12 October 1945, subject: “Supplemental Instructions Relating to Import and Export Controls” and Memorandum for the Imperial Japanese Government, this Headquarters, file AG 168 (4 Jan 46) ESS/FI, dated 4 January 1946, subject: “Importation of Japanese Government bonds by Japanese Repatriates.”
2. a. Within the limitations of paragraph 2a of Memorandum file AG 091. 31 (12 Oct 45) ESS/FI cited in paragraph 1 above, Japanese nationals repatriating to Japan may be permitted to bring in with them any combination of yen currency, yen exchange certificates and Japanese Government yen bonds.
b. As an exception to the document mentioned in 2a above, former Japanese prisoners of war repatriating to Japan may be permitted to bring in with them additional amounts of yen currency, yen exchange certificates or bonds equal to total pay due them for the period they were prisoners.
3. Former prisoners of war entering Japan will carry certificates, identifying them as such, and showing their earnings as prisoners of war. Limitations prescribed in paragraph 2a of Memorandum file AG 091.31 (12 Oct 45) ESS/FI referred to in paragraph 1 above, will apply to any amounts of yen currency, yen exchange certificates or bonds over and above the total earnings of former prisoners of war. All repatriating Japanese nationals not duly certified as former prisoners of war will be subject to 2a above.
4. Yen exchange certificates carried in by repatriating Japanese nationals in lieu of yen currency may be paid by the Japanese Government at ports of debarkation. Proper records will be maintained and the certificates preserved in safekeeping.
FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:
B.M.FICHI
Brigadiar General,AGD,
Adjutant General
MEMO FOR RECORD: (SCAPIN-721)
ESS/IN RCAP/lom
1. Memorandum for the Imperial Japanese Government, file AG 091.31 (12 Oct 45) ESS/FI, dated 12 October 1945, subject: "Supplemental Instructions Relating to Import and Export Controls" permitted Japanese nationals being repatriated to Japan to bring in with them yen currency in amounts of ¥200 for enlisted men, ¥500 for officers and ¥1,000 for civilians. All currency in excess of these limitations has been taken up against receipt. In addition, the importation of financial instruments has been prohibited by Memorandum for the Imperial Japanese Government, file AG 091.3 (22 Sept 45) ESS/FI, dated 22 September 1945, subject: "Controls over Exports and Imports of Gold, Silver, Securities and Financial Instruments." This was amended by Memorandum for the Imperial Japanese Government, File AG 168 (4 Jan 46) ESS/FI, dated 4 January 1945, subject: "Importation of Japanese Government bonds by Japanese repatriates" to permit the importation of Japanese Government yen bonds, in addition to yen currency, in total combined amount not to exceed limitations prescribed in AG 091.31 (12 Oct 45) ESS/FI.
2. a. In some instances repatriating Japanese nationals will be in possession of yen exchange certificates in lieu of or in addition to yen currency, as well as Japanese Government yen bonds. These certificates are exchangeable for yen currency.
b. To date, repatriating Japanese prisoners of war have been subject to the same financial controls on entering Japan as other returning Japanese nationals (Ourad ZAX 7153-17 Oct 45). Article 24 of the Geneva Convention, 27 July 1929 provides that "Any surplus taken or withheld from a prisoner as well as any sum deposited by him shall be credited to his account and paid to him at the end of captivity." Japan is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention, but it is believed that the administrative complications of separate settlement for excess funds at a later date, plus the relatively small amount of excess currency involved, make a change in instructions desirable.
3. To avoid considering all repatriating Japanese nationals as former prisoners of war, only those duly certified as such will come under these amended regulations. Instructions on certification have gone out to area commanders concerned at points of embarkation for Japan.
4. The payment of yen exchange certificates carried in by repatriates, in lieu of yen currency, will be made by Japanese authorities at port of entry.
5. Concurrences G-3 Repatriation ( ).
C. F. T.
