REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL RESEARCH UNIT, O/RR, ON THE PROPOSAL FOR PROCUREMENT AND UTILIZATION OF UNEXPLOITED STUDIES CARRIED OUT BY JAPANESE SCIENTISTS IN THE AREAS IN AND AROUND THE PACIFIC BASIN TO 1945

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00706R000200010049-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 28, 2004
• Sequence Number: 49
• Content Type: REPORT

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REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL RESEARCH UNIT, 0/RR,ON THE
PROPOSAL FOR PROCUREMNT AND UTILIZATION OF
UNEXPLOITED STUDIES CARRIED OUT HY JAPANESE
SCIENTISTS IN THE AREAS IN AND AROUND THE
PACIFIC BASIN TO 1945
1, Attached are
33
a.? A summary of the vicus of Ur. Harold J. Coolidge, of the National
Research-Council, on further exploitation of Japanese documents as expressed
41 a conference uith members of 0140 OIR? State, and the Library of Congress
on 27 January 195/ (Attachment A);
h. copies of /otters on the same subject from: (1) Mr. Coolidge to
Brigadier General Eduin L. Sibert, Director of Staff, Inter-American Defense
Beard, dated 17 January 1951 (Attachment B), and (2) Mr, Donald J. Pletsch.
Division of International Health, Federal Security Agency, to Mr. Coolidge,
dated 13 October 1950 (Attachment C).
2. During a?visit to Japan in 19500 Mr, Coolidge received information
leading him to believe that there are important pre-1945 studies made by,
Japanese specialists in various fields of the exact and social sciences Uhich
have net been collecteieer exploited through the activities of the United States,
hut uhich might have intelligence value, Exploitation of such sources could
only be carried out to maximum advantage before conclusion of a peace treaty
uith Japan.
3. Mr, Coolidgels viewe in this regard uere supported by those of
Mr, Pletsch? uho served three years in Japan as a biologist in the Scientific
and Technical Divieion, Economic and Scientific Section, General Headquarters?
-
SOAP. Among Mr, Pletschcs responsibilities during thia periOd were collection,
appraisal and abstracting of many Japanese scientific papers,
Following informal investigation of the natter in OAR, the Assistant
Director for Operations placed Mr. Coolidge in contact with the Production Staff,
0/RR, on 25 January 1951. As a result of this contact, Ur. Coolidge developed
his ideas regarding unexploited pre-1945 Japanese documents in a conference with
representatives of CIA, the Department of State, and the Library of Congress,
on 27 January 1951. Those present, besides Va*? Coolidge, were:
State Dept. review completed
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Nazi/Japanese War Crimes Task Force review completed
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b. Detxutrent of State: Lir. J.W. Ivdmen, DRF/0111
o. Li'brerv of Coerees: E.A. Beal, Jr, Division of
Ori;ntalia.
At this conference, Min Coolidge stated his vieus along the lines given in
Attachment Al ehich parallels the content of Attachment C. Ur. Coolidge is now
visiting Japan, here he nill further explore the status of the types of materials
which he described. Be eill return to Washington. on 19 March, mhen he 11111 be
available for additional consultation.
5 On 30 January, through arraneements made by 0/CDP 25X1
iconsulted at length lei*
Lte J.J. Bagnall, lof the
Foreign Documents invasion, 0/01 regarding the nature, subject coverage, present
location, and extent of cataloguing of Japanese docemnnts already in this
country,. including those in entvorsity libraries and collections as well as those
hold by. the United States Government. Japanese documents on deposit with United
States Government agencies in Japan were likewise discussed as to their extent,
nature, and availability.
6. From the discussions memerized in the previous paragraph, the following
points were developed:
se that the Washington Document Center Advance preformed a highly
systematic and thorough operation of collecting Japanese Government
files, official documents, scholarly files, and publications. Combined
with subsequent and current collecting by governmental agencies and
private institutions, and with consideration of the extensive and valuable
ATIS collection and other collections in SCAP, it appears that there has
been brought under some form of United States control virtually all pre
l94 materials of appreciable intelligence value. These materials oven
include considerable quantities of field notes, reports, and similar
documents of Japanese scientists and others who traveled throughout the Far
East in the interest of the Japanese Army, Navy, Foreign Office and other
ministries and whose research materials have been acquired as part of the
government files or from personal and institutional collections.
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be that preliminary control of those acquisitions exists
in conplate lists in the form of card files and acquisition lists
classified by categories, subject and geographical area. Although
detailed indexing eill be necessary to make possible spot exploitation,
the existing acquisition lists and card catalogues already provide an
over-.all guide to the materials acquired by the United States Govern-
ments Those acquisitions total an estimated 1,500,000 items.
c. that all of these United States Government acquisitions have
been screened for intelligence value: some have been abstracted and
otheratranslated. Although the central collection at the former
TWILL-ton Document Center has been broken up and the major part dis-
tributed to the Library of Congress (about 300,000 items), the National
Archives (roughly 1,000,000 items), the Department of Commerce and other
agencies, F/DD, CIA, has retained about 40,000 items. All of these
materials aro at present available for intelligence exploitation. It
is estimated that about 75 percent of Japanese documents of intelligence
value are already available through the materials already in the United
States.
7. The great majority of the Japanese documents in the Foreign Document
Division and of those elsewhere in the United States, houever, are not availcble
for immediate or urgent operational use. Translating and abstracting of
selected materials of intelligence importance, therefore, is the only method
whereby such materials could be made immediately available for operational use
in fulfillment of urgent requirements. 4
8. It is recognized that large-scale document acquisition eventually
reaches a point of diminishing returns. Further large-scale endeavors to procure
documents of pre-1945 origin would have to be balanced against: (a) present
possessions, (b) the need for missing pre-1945 materials, and (c) the
availability of more recent materials on the Far East of a nature which would
make pre-I945 materials obsolescent, and (d) the relative value of expending
efforts to acquire such materials at the expense of acquiring more recent
documents, if a choice between the two is neceesarye
9. It seems clear that the point of departure for remaining problems
regarding the over-all picture of Japanese documents of intelligence value is
complotioh of the cataloguing of all Japanese materials of the types under
dicussion mhich are already in the United States, both those hold by Govern-
mental agencies, including the Library of Congress, and those deposited in the
university libraries, such as those of Yale, Columbia, Stanford, and Michigan,
and the formation of a union cataloeue to be housed at a central point most
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? appropriately located for over-ail:intelligence purposes. Information
on al/ pertinent Japanese materialsunder. United States control in japan
should be added to this catalogue to give it maximum utility. Complete
cataloguing of iaformation on the groat volume of mato
rials already
- available in both the United States and Japan seems to be the only firm
ground on uhich to base any plans for further extensive procurement.
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Attoolmiont A
Sooroory or Ilra Harold Jo Coolidge e Views as Expressed in tho
Conference or 27 Jenuary 105/
In addition to information contained in Japanoso soientific papers
already collected& classified, and exploited by United Statoo Govern?
nentsgencies, a great velum? of unexplored data oxists in studies mad?
overmany yearin various fio1df5 including the nocial sciences by
Japaneso soientints who carried on investigationo in areas of tho Pacific
Basin odthin tho former Japaneso cphero of interest. Many of the results
or these latter investigations are found in inaccossiblo journals or
in manusoript or notebook form, and cover the period to the clots of World
War llo It is believed that they inoludo information valuable for: (a)
basic intelligonoe, and (b) area stodioo boing carried on at various
UnitedoStates universities
Adoquato utilization of the groat star? of already oxicting data
in these unexploited studios would not only provide additional informao
tion on regions in vhich Japan rms intorostod& but would: (a) provide
an opportunity to viewthe problems and situations of tho torritoriec
concerned through Asiatic oyoso and (b) olimineto the need for United
States research workers and analysts to cover tho same genoral ground
independently, Furthermore since the close of World Uar II & United
States research workers have not been able to miter many of the regions
covered by these otudios, and investigations ham, therefore not boon
advanced beyond tho point at which the Japanoco left than, The piping
of a peaco treaty-with Japan will greatly redoce the possibility of
obtaining and exploiting these materials. A suggested nothod of approach
for locating, olaesifying& and utilizing those unexploited Japaneeo
? studies follows:
a, Delineation of fields of interest, with priority to be given
to those fields in which prbowar Japanese interest has waned, with
rosultant threats to accumulations of notes, unpubliched rmaluscripts&
and rare periodicals
b, Elinination of fields already adequately covoeed by SCAP
and other agencies,
c. Cataloguing and publicizing. Japanese litoraturo already in
the United States, including collections in the Library of Congroosi,
Yale, Colombia, and other universitics, and accomulaticao mado by military
agencies, to obtain odequato lonowlodge of what already oxisto in this
country and theroby prevent duplication of effort,
d, Location of, or preparation of, jouonal and book lists in the
priority fioldso
c. Translations of titles and roferencec to pertinent articles
in the most promising journal series, using Japanese translatorso
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ir,,n1ing,i,x) Javan al/ "pertinent notes, manuscriptd, and
1:7:1;i11 crlisting the help of solocted individual Japanese ana
Japanese organisations.
*operation of informational abstracts, employing Japanese
C7nilrae-;;ort..,
ha )oel:ing of al translations, references, and abatracts by
cf:7.rable k,3!)::ican 1:?}srsoznelo
7.1:1-4i . bibliographic organisation and publication of material,
including lists of information sourcas and repositories.. ?
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NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
0
,P 2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington 25$ D. C.
PACIFIC SCIENCE BOARD
17 January 1961
Brig. Gene .Edwin LO Sibmeb
Dirootor of Staff
Inter-American Defense Board
2600 7.6th Street& N. N.
Washington, Do Co
Dear General Sibert:
I greatly enjojed seeing you again the other evening and an p/eapod
to have you back in Washington. Tho projoot which I mentioned to you at
that time is one wallah I discussed with our mutual friend
an4 which he helped me to bring before certain people associated with C.I.A.
On any trip to Japan last year I received information which led me
to believe- that there are important studies which wore wade by Japanoso
specialists in various soientifio fieldo$ including anthropology, Which
hemo not boon collected through the activities of Unitod States agonciem&
but which might very well be of considerablo valuo not only for the area
studies program: which are underway in this country at colected universities,
but also might furnish essential information for bsoic Autelligonceo I
have a strong fooling that wo should increase our effort to look at problems
and situations in Asia through Aoiatio oyes o For this; reason we should
mako the fullest possible use of Japanese material collected openly atd
under cover over a period of many years prior to and during World War II.
I am very mush concerned that with the signing of the peace treaty with
Japans the possibility of obtaining this material will be greatly diminished
It is for this reason that I had hoped this project would bo one ehioh
would interact some appropriate government ageneyo
25X1
You will find attached a copy of a letter from Dr o Donald Jo Pletsch
which he wrote at rgy request and which calla ettention to some of the
material that I have in mind. Be devoted a conuidonable part of his three
years duty in Japan to this typo of work and I have confidence in the
statement which ho has made. If you think that thiz suggeeton has coma
merit& I shall be sled to have an opportunity to diecuss the matter with
the friend wham you mentioned the other evoningo Because or any impending
trip to the Pacific this would ha vo to be arranged!...Non came day next nook,
With Woad regards,
Sinneroly yours
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Enclosure Harold JO Coolidge
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SEdIMITY Aar=
PI:iBLIC BEATE SERVICE
aashington 25, D. 0.
October 13e 1950
Pr. Herold Jo Coolidge
aacrific Soience Board
EatIone/ Research Council
23.01. Conetitubion Avenue
teeralinaton n5, Dv C.
-ateat? Dr. Coolidge:
Your recent expreezion of lutereet in the utilization of Japaneee
anforeation on areas termerly etudied by Japrelose ocientiets vas of
great interest to me. The natter ie one of groat iNplocirillahOo wad earrante
immediate attention. more exist vaot accuwalatione of data gathered
by the Japanyee from lands it and around the Pocific Begin. Mhay of
these findinge exiet init:accessible journale or in menaccript or note-
book form. Since the end of the tar much information hae net been advanced
by the, research warkere rhoean no longer entor the amen ooneerned4 Some
data have doubtlees boon lost, diepersed* or destroyed alroadye Further
paeeage of time can only make salvage operations nere difficult and coetly.
Au you may be =area I recently returned from throe yoare in Japan
as biologist in the Scientific laud Technical Divielout, Eoenomic and
Scientific Section, General Readquartere& Supreme Commander for the
Allied Faeterse Among my responeibilities during this three year period
ens the eollectiona appraleala and abetraeting of many Japateso scientific
papers. A eammary of this project rill be towel in Report re. 100 Science
and Technology in Japan* publiched in 1849. Area. field? eore exhauetively
covered* one of thich will be described later* The Natural Romonrcee
Section gave considerable attention to Japancee deetmentataon in fieheries&
agrioultteres forestry, and mineral reeources. Uowever, the tine limitations
and epooifie requiromento of theee program imovitany loft many fields
untouched and gavb only partial coverage of otherse To 34r knowledge the
Japanese work in the eocial seieneeo did not receive eyetemetioe comprehen-
sive examination nor documontaaione
The armed cervices made syetematio accumulatiore of publiehea journal
eerie? in 1948-404 Subject matter bearing on ailitery tochniqueo (ordnance,
chemical warfare, order of battle* etc.) undoubtedly received careful
ectutihy by G2 and Navy Intelligence. gowevor* r uraeretend that largo
quantities of literature were shiepod in bulk to Weehingtoa and have not
been syeteneetically cataleaued nor utilized.
The greatest treasure trove is atill uteeplerea -- the routine,
unclaosified Japanese reports of observation in all parte of the former
Japanese Empire* Scicatiets eent to all parte of the Pacifie and into
Hanohuria en a aouthern Asia. It seems foolieh indeed for our rezearo%
mrkaitqapPeNktairstheRtilbditeatt4tia740$1aCkteeREDFOW002061T060290010046* reported
by tho Japanese in their published vorke or personal maauseriptra,,
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?
Or, Harold J. Coolidgeeafttebor 130 1950ee2
Tiy vie= regarding a practical method of approach might be of
interest to you. Lot me cite an example of documentation, and the
procedure used* In late 1949 American research workers expressed
interest in Japanese research in environmental physiology and clothing
requirements, Instead of oiting a few current papors published by
the Japanese in this field, it was docided to exhauetivoly document
all Japanese research, fundamental and applied, dealing with environ-
nental physiology and related fields. Tho result was the publication
in 1950 of Report No, 21, Science and Technology in Japan, entitled*
"A Conspectus of Japanese Research in Enviroamontal Physiology and
Closely Related Fields", Most of the mark NAB done voluntarily by
the most capable Japanese authoritioa in the field of physiology*
Professional American personnol contacted key Japaftese research workers
and pointed out the abysmal, 'r.orld ignorance regarding Japanese work
in that field* duo either to barriers imposed by tho Japanese language
or by publication in obscuro journals. The Japanooe scholars wore
eager to solve this problem. They located, supplomentod? and trans-
lated Japanese bibliographies and indices on the subject. Included
wore papers reporting studies on tropical islands of the Pacific and
the erotic areas of Eanchuria, fatigue and clothing observations on
Japaneso soldiersin Sumatra and Japanese pilots over China, Military
journals, labor magazines, and professional biological publications
were all examined and indexed. Tho draft was then carefully checked by
Nisei translators, and organized in more usable faohion. Information
was added to guide noneJapaneseworkers to any publication in which
a referosoe had been cited. The resultant report has given dignity
to the Japanese research and encourages utilization of the information
by many noneJapanese students and research personnel*
The limited number of Japanese libraries, both institutional and
private, were tragically decimated in 1945. Libraries in Japan have
suffered further during the postwar period of oconomic strain.
Additional delay will moan continued loss through neglect and disinterest,
Early action should bo taken while some of the Amorican professional
personnel in Japan oan still assist in establishing invaluable contacto
with eapable Japanese scientists
Logical stops in a comprehensive program might include:
1. Delineation of the fields of interect. Priority muat be
given to fields 'where preewar Japaneee interest has waned, with resul-
tant threats to accumulations of notes, unpublished manuscripts & and
rare periodicals. Duo to the secretive habit's of many Japaneoci techni-
oians and scientists, many research results exist only in the form of
private notes and menuscripts withdrarn from the laboratories upon
their discaution,
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Dr, Harold J, Coolidgeeeectober l3. 1e5Oee3
2. Elimination of fields already wavered adequately by SOAP
and other agencies,
5, Cataloguing and publicising Japanese literature now in the
United States, to include accumulations made by military agencies and
now presumably in dead storage.
4. Looating in Japan all pertinent notes, nanuccripte. and pube
liceationc. enlisting Japanese help*
5, Location of, or preparation of journal and book lists in
the priority fields*
6, Translations of titles and references of pertinent articled
in the most promising journal series. using Japanese tranolators,
7, Preparation of informational abstracts. lazing Japanese
abstraotors,
8. Checking (scanning) of all translationo, references and
abstracts by capable American personnel (the best man to organize thie
phase may be Er, George Yamaahiroa still employed by ESS/ST, GHQ, SOAP),
9. Final bibliographic organization and publication of material
includine lists of information sourcec and repositories*
If the hoped for action which you exprosced in our recent tamer-
sation ean be implementsd, results can best be achieved %Philo the
occupation of divan is still in effeet. I do not refer to any UGO
Of pressure or compulsion to reveal information sources, Such an
approach would be undignified and almost completely feuitless, I
refer instead to many details concerning peroonnel and legietice which
might best be accemplinhed at once, Certain types of infatuation can
be found only by personal contact of American acholere eith their
Japanese equivalents* Other information., inoluding todeting individuals
and *elements connected with Japatose activities outside the home iolandc.
may best be made available through United States military liaison with
the Japanese Demobilization Bureau or other agehcies, Both military
and nenemilitary channels heuld be used,
My best wiehes in your valuable effort to accomplish this task
before time laps* renders it impossible, If / can be of any help,
please' let me know,
Sincerely yourn,,
/s/
Dan Pletsch
Donald J. Pletcch
Public Health Adviser
Division of Internateenal Health
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