Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact

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The Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact refers to a pact between the Soviet Union and Japan signed on April 13, 1941, two years after the Soviet-Japanese Border War (1939).

A declaration regarding Mongolia and Manchukwo was added to this pact. The Soviet Union pledged to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of Manchukuo, while Japan did the same for the Mongolian People's Republic.^[1]

Later in 1941, Japan would consider denouncing the pact when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) at the start of the Great Patriotic War, but they made the crucial decision to keep it and to continue to press into south east Asia. This was said largely due to the Battle of Khalkhin Gol that caused Japan not to join forces with Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa, even though Japan and Nazi Germany were part of the Tripartite Pact.^{[citation needed]}

On April 5, 1945 the Soviet Union informed the Japanese Government that the pact was redundant and that "in accordance with Article Three of the ... pact, which envisaged the right of denunciation one year before the lapse of the five year period of operation of the pact, the Soviet Government hereby makes know to the Government of Japan its wish to denounce the pact of April 13, 1941."^[2]

On August 8, 1945 the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and launched Operation August Storm keeping their promise to the other Allies at the Yalta Conference to enter the war with Japan three months after the end of World War II in Europe.^[3]

1 Treaty
- 1.1 Note
2 See also
3 References

[edit] Treaty

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, guided by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, have decided to conclude a pact on neutrality, for which purpose they have appointed as their Representatives:

The Presidum of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan - Yosuke Matsuoka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of the Sacred Treasure of the First Class, and Yoshitsugu Tatekawa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Lieutenant General, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of the Rising Sun of the First Class and the Order of the Golden Kite of the Fourth Class,

who, after an exchange of their credentials, which were found in due and proper form, have agreed on the following:

Article one: Both Contracting Parties undertake to maintain peaceful and friendly relations between them and mutually respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the other Contracting Party.

Article two: Should one of the Contracting Parties become the object of hostilities on the part of one or several third powers, the other Contracting Party will observe neutrality throughout the duration of the conflict.

Article three: The present Pact comes into force from the day of its ratification by both Contracting Parties and remains valid for five years. In case neither of the Contracting Parties denounces the Pact one year before the expiration of the term, it will be considered automatically prolonged for the next five years.

Article four: The present Pact is subject to ratification as soon as possible. The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Tokyo, also as soon as possible.

In confirmation whereof the above-named Representatives have signed the present Pact in two copies, drawn up in the Russian and Japanese languages, and affixed thereto their seals. Done in Moscow on April 13, 1941, which corresponds to the 13th day of the fourth month of the 16th year of Showa. V. Molotov; Yosuke Matsuoka; Yoshitsugu Tatekawa^[4]

[edit] Note

While the Soviet Union ended the pact 5 years after the conclusion of the treaty, Operation August Storm still violated the treaty as a 1 year cancellation period existed. ^[5]