JAPAN'S NEW PREMIER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300170003-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 27, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 9, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/08/3U L'TA DDP80R01443R000300170003-9
I. Overnight press reports state that a
coalition of Socialists and anti-
Yoshida conservatives (new Democratic
Party) in the Japanese Diet have
elected Ichiro Hatoyama as Prime
Minister in place of recently-resigned
Yoshida.
A. The vote was 257 for Hatoyama as
against 191 for Ogata, the new
president of Yoshida's Liberal
Party.
B. Hatoyama votes from 120 Democrats,
61 Right Socialists, 73 Left
Socialists, and 3 minor parties.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300170003-9
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2000/08/305 tAAW80R01443R000300170003-9
25X6
25X6
C. Socialist's-support for Hatoyama
leader of the anti-Yoshida con-
servatives, was apparently won
at price of agreement on new
national elections early next
year.
1. Conservatives had opposed
new elections, feeling
only Socialists would
benefit thereby.
D. Still partially paralyzed by '52
stroke, Hatoyama will be a
figurehead in the interim regime
E. The Diet will be dissolved in
late January, elections follow
on 10 March.
II. Hatoyama is man of great charm and
personal warmth, has been very friendly
with American officials.
A. avors Japanese rear] ment.
25X6
25X6
Approved For Release 2000/08/30,,ELQ 3-9
 Approved For Release 2000/08 ? -RDP80R01443R000300170003-9
B. Told press, after Yoshida's
resignation, "Japan survives
only because of" security
alliance with US.
C. Is strongly anti-Communist, but
favors diplomatic relations,
expanded trade with Communist
China, USSR.
III. Need not expect Hatoyama government to
change Japanese foreign policy.
A. Will be forced take cognizance
increased popular favor towards
"normalization" relations with
Orbit, and Communist China in
particular.
B. However, will continue policy
co-operation with US and West,
although this co-operation will be
on tougher, more nationalistic
basis.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30-: CIA-RDP80R01443R000300170003-9
SECRET
 25X6
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300170003-9
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300170003-9
 Approved For Release 200gff - CIA-RDP80R01443R000300170003-9
0. Barring conservative amalgamation
bitter, deep-seated personal
rivairie in a struggle for
control of the conservative
movement promises little prospect
for stable government in the
immediate future.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300170003-9
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2S i0 1O1 CIA-RDP80R01443R000300170003-9
Hatoyama, Ichiro 71 (Japan Democrat)
Partly paralyzed veteran politician,
prominent in public affairs since 1915. He
organized the postwar Liberal party and was
deprived of the prime ministership by
MacArthur's purge in 1946. Restored to
political life in 1951 he became a bitter
rival of Prime Minister Yoshida. Hatoyama
strongly opposed Communism within Japan,
but favors closer relations with the Orbit
without jeopardizing ties with the United
States. His financial polities are likely
to be influenced by the inflationist
Ishibahi, and his pro-rearmament stand
could weaken under popular pressure.
Approved For Release 20 MET IA-RDP80R0l443R000300170003-9