Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact

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Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka signing Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact
Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka signing Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact

The Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact (日ソ中立条約 Nisso Chūritsu Jōyaku?) was a pact between the Soviet Union and the Empire of Japan signed in 1941, two years after the brief Soviet-Japanese Border War (1939).

Contents

[edit] Background and history

With the outbreak of general war in Europe between Great Britain, France and Nazi Germany in September 1939, the Soviet Union needed to mend its diplomatic relations in the Far East in order to concentrate on the growing threat the European Russia in the west. On the other hand, Japan, bogged down in a seemingly interminable war with China and with diplomatic relations with the United States rapidly deteriorating, sought an accommodation with the Soviet Union that would improve its international standing and secure the northern frontier of Manchukuo against possible Soviet invasion.

The treaty was signed in Moscow on April 13, 1941, by Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka and Ambassador Yoshitsugu Tatekawa for Japan and Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov for the Soviet Union.

At a later date,[when?] the treaty was expanded to include a declaration regarding Mongolia and Manchuria. 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] Still later, in 1941, Japan, as a signatory of the Tripartite Pact, considered denouncing the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, especially after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) at the start of the World War II, but made the crucial decision to keep it and to expand southwards invading the European colonies in Southeast Asia instead.

On April 5, 1945 the Soviet Union repudiated the pact, informing the Japanese government that "in accordance with Article Three of the above mentioned 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 known 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] The Japanese argue that, while the Soviet Union gave notice as outlined in Article Three that the pact would not be renewed, Operation August Storm still violated the treaty as the pact itself remained in effect until April 13, 1946. [4]

[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;
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[5]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Declaration Regarding Mongolia April 13, 1941. (Avalon Project at Yale University)
  2. ^ Denunciation of the neutrality pact April 5, 1945. (Avalon Project at Yale University)
  3. ^ Soviet War Declaration On Japan August 8, 1945. (Avalon Project at Yale University)
  4. ^ "So Sorry, Mr. Sato" in Time Magazine, April 16 1945, [1]
  5. ^ Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact April 13, 1941. (Avalon Project at Yale University)
  • Slavinsky, Boris (2003). The Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact -A Diplomatic History 1941-1945. Routledge. ISBN 0203300831.