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ALL INFORMATION CONTAINEDHEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 5-31-84 BY SP2JAP/EW FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONForm No. 1THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT: Honolulu, T. H. --- FILE NO. 100-185
Honolulu Field Division through the night of January 3, and was released at 8:00 P.M. on January 4, 1942. XXXXX advised that he resided at XXXXX Honolulu, T. H., and XXX-2 lines-XXX. His parents were born in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan, and his wife, XXXXX, otherwise known as XXXXX, was born of Japanese parents at Papaikou, Island of Hawaii, XXXXX. They have no children. He stated that he went to Japan in 1923, and returned to Hawaii on December 5, 1930. Prior to going to Japan, he attended a public elementary school in Honolulu for two years, and in Japan went to an elementary school for six years at Iwakuni, Yamaguchi-ken, and a year and a half at a middle school. Upon returning to Honolulu, he attended the Cathedral Language School (Episcopal) for six months, the Hawaiian Mission Academy, conducted by the Seventh Day Adventists, for one year, and St. Louis College for about two years. Thereafter, XXXXX attended Phillips Commercial School for one year, leaving in May, 1935. From September, 1931, to June, 1934, he attended the Japanese High School at Honolulu. Relative to his employment, he stated that from June of 1935 to November, 1935, he was employed by XXXXX a contractor, Honolulu, and on December 1, 1935, began work at the Japanese Consulate General at Honolulu, upon the recommendation, and at the suggestion, of XXXXX of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission, a Buddhist sect. In this connection, it is observed that XXXXX alias XXXXX is subject in an internal security case bearing Honolulu file #100-494. He was Vice Principal of the Japanese High School at Honolulu and a Buddhist priest who admitted recommending several persons for employment at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu. He was interned on July 25, 1942, by order of the Military Governor. XXXXX, a Special Agent of the Military Intelligence Division, Honolulu, checked the records of the Bureau of Vital Statistics at Honolulu and ascertained from its custodian, XXXXX, that Birth Record #10540 reflects that XXXXX was born at XXXXX, Honolulu on XXXXX as the first child of XXXXX and XXXXX. Those records also reflected that Certificate of Marriage #368, Volume #170, records the marriage of XXXXX and XXXXX, XXXXX Honolulu, on July 31, 1936, at Honolulu. This ceremony was performed by XXXXX at the Izumo Taisha Mission, a Shinto temple. XXXXX denied that he had military training in Japan, and claims to have no relatives in the service of Japan or any other foreign government. His grandfather and grandmother live in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan, but his mother and the remainder of his family reside in Honolulu. He denied belonging to any organizations or societies, Japanese or otherwise. He only admitted minor traffic offenses, and a check of the police records by Confidential Informant XXXXX failed to show any further arrests. As to his personal property, XXXXX stated that he has a savings account with the XXXXX, and a 1937 Ford sedan valued at about $400.00. This sedan bore Hawaii 1941 license XXXXX. His family owns a farm in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, on which his grandfather resides. This is said to be worth about Y1,000.00. XXXXX at Kalakaua Avenue and King Street, Honolulu. He stated that his earnings at the Consulate at the beginning of the war were $75.00 per month, and that he started at a salary of $65.00. Confidential Informant XXXXX advised that the files of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at Honolulu reflected that a 1937 model Ford sedan, bearing motor XXXXX was sold by the Universal Motor Company, Ltd., Honolulu, as a used car, on September 17, 1939, to the Japanese Consulate General for $600.00. The papers in this transaction were signed by XXXXX who was undoubtedly XXXXX, a former Consul General. A 1931 model Chevrolet sedan, bearing factory #6AE-44502, was traded in on this car, for the sum of $175.00. The balance, $425.00, was paid in cash at this time. Transfer #15286, dated September 19, 1939, was recorded at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by XXXXX for the Consulate, and the car was registered under license XXXXX for 1940. On July 25, 1941, it was transferred by the Consulate, as the registered and legal owner, represented by XXXXX the Consul General, to XXXXX. The license number at this time was XXXXX for 1941. In connection with the registration of this automobile in the name of the Consulate, XXXXX indicated that the Consulate paid all of his gasoline expense and purchased some of the oil used by the car. He paid for the repairs and miscellaneous expenses, such as greasing. When he bought the car in 1939, XXXXX claimed that he registered it as the property of the Japanese Consulate to obtain tax exemption. He stated that other employees of the Consulate had done the same. Just before the "freeze order" XXXXX, the Secretary who acted as treasurer of the Consulate, informed XXXXX that if he did not change his registration he would lose ownership of the car. Acting on this advice, he changed the registration of the car in July and paid the taxes due for the balance of 1941. XXXXX related that his duties at the Consulate were to receive and open local and Japanese mail, and to handle outgoing mail. He stated he did not open mail from the Foreign Office addressed to the Consul, which he first referred to as "confidential" and later referred to as "not confidential." This mail was opened by XXXXX, one of the Secretaries. XXXXX duties were to record the date of receipt and the number of each item of this class of mail, but did not see the actual letters, as these usually came in several envelopes enclosed in a larger one. Each of these large letters had a receipt inside the first envelope, which was to be signed and returned to the Foreign Office. XXXXX would take this mail to XXXXX who would bring it to the office of the Vice Consul and then to the Consul General. Ordinary letters, as XXXXX described mail originating in the islands for the Consulate, and letters not confidential, would be returned to XXXXX by the Vice Consul, and he or XXXXX would enter the subject of each letter and its date in the record book. This work was performed by XXXXX who was superseded by XXXXX when IKETANI returned to Japan. XXXXX stated that XXXXX did most of this work himself, but in the last two years XXXXX did the bulk of the recording of these letters. Mail from the Foreign Office addressed to the Consul General was of two classes, that which pertained to the business of the Consulate only, and letters addressed to all Consulates. The former type would carry consecutive numbers, and the latter type carried numbers which were probably consecutive at the point of origin but were not received in that order at Honolulu, as there were probably many of a similar type which did not apply to this Territory and were not received by the local Consulate. Other mail received by the Consulate consisted of the customary reports of births, deaths, marriages, expatriation, divorce and adoption. This mail came through the regular postal channels to the Consulate's post office box, where it was picked up by XXXXX and the chauffeur, ICHITARO OZAKI. Some of the mail arrived at the Consulate by letter carrier. XXXXX indicated that other mail was received by the so-called diplomatic couriers. This was opened in the "telegraph room," a large room containing a safe, by TSUKIKAWA, one of the Secretaries. These couriers customarily brought mail in a suitcase, and upon arrival would go straight to the telegraph room, accompanied by the Consul, the Vice Consul and XXXXX. XXXXX does not think that any one courier visited Honolulu more than once. Further, these couriers did not appear with the arrival of each Japanese steamship at Honolulu. XXXXX stated that he was once interested in the possibility of taking an examination for the diplomatic service. A former Secretary at the Consulate, XXXXX, informed him that Japanese born abroad had only a slight chance because of their lack of qualifications in the Japanese language. XXXXX encouraged XXXXX, but pointed out that his opportunity to obtain a diplomatic position was very slight. This was shortly after XXXXX began working at the Consulate, and he stated that he did nothing toward preparing himself for any such examination, because he did not believe he would be qualified. Relative to the Japanese census, XXXXX stated that he saw letters concerning the census, taken in October, 1940, which were sent out to all Japanese organizations in the Territory. The information required was the name, domicile in Japan, and the place of birth of all Japanese subjects. None of these forms was said to have been sent to the so-called Consular Agents, but most were forwarded to Japanese organizations. The mailing list was in Japanese and in English. YUGE, another Secretary, had charge of the census, but all of the clerks helped with the addressing of envelopes and distributing the forms. XXXXX stated that many organizations did not respond, but no follow-up steps were taken. The forms were also forwarded to dual citizens, but XXXXX stated he forgot to prepare and submit his own form. According to XXXXX, letters received from local sources are not logged at the Consulate. This mail was said to come chiefly from Consular Agents, consisting of letters and routine reports. From these and other sources the Consulate would report to the Foreign Office the number and percentage of second-generation Japanese who had submitted forms pertaining to Japanese military conscription. Office supplies for the Consulate were said to have been purchased by XXXXX and as his XXXXX desk was in XXXXX office, he was familiar with their methods of purchasing. Office supplies were bought chiefly from the Honolulu Paper Company and the Hakubundo Book Store, but most of the supplies were from the paper company. There a clerk, XXXXX, was usually contacted. At the Hakubundo Store, XXXXX, an alien Japanese, now interned, and one XXXXX, were usually contacted, and XXXXX would make deliveries. XXXXX talked to everyone at the Consulate, and once invited all of the Secretaries, XXXXX and his wife, but none of the other clerks, to a luau at the home of Dr. H. S. OKAZAKI in July, 1941. The luau was said to have been in honor of an American woman visiting from the mainland. XXXXX advised that XXXXX arrived at the Consulate in March of 1941, and about a week thereafter he took him for a drive in his car to points of interest in Honolulu, and subsequently to the Shioyu Tea House at Waipahu. XXXXX had been there before with the chauffeur, and when XXXXX spoke about going there, XXXXX advised the chauffeur, who stated it was impossible to get service without prior reservations, but XXXXX insisted on going. They drove to Waipahu, and started to go down the dirt road to the tea house, and when XXXXX saw what they were getting into, he agreed to turn around and go home. For some time this was the only trip out of the city of Honolulu which XXXXX would admit. However, he subsequently verbally admitted a number of trips, including a visit to the islands of Maui and Hawaii. At the termination of the interview, XXXXX, who is a typist, prepared a statement without assistance or prompting which covered his association with XXXXX. This statement is quoted as follows: This statement is being retained in the files of the Honolulu Field Division. In connection with the trips to Maui and Hawaii, XXXXX stated that he handled money for both of them, although XXXXX was his superior, as the latter seemed to be unable to take care of funds. He was given $110.00 for the Maui trip and $300.00 for the Hawaii trip. They spent $65.00 at a tea house in Hawaii where apparently XXXXX spent his time, chiefly in getting drunk. It may be stated that investigation was conducted relative to the places XXXXX and XXXXX visited, and such is reported in the case entitled, "JAPANESE ACTIVITIES, Honolulu, T. H.; CONFILE - ESPIONAGE -J." On the afternoon of January 3, 1942, XXXXX was directed to point out to Lieutenant XXXXX and the writer the places which he visited in company of XXXXX. He pointed out a Shell service station near the Aiea boat landing as a place where they purchased gas, but had not conversed with anyone. He then directed agents to the home of XXXXX near Aiea, such being the first house to the left of a dirt road above the Aiea boat landing, and he also pointed out a store bearing the sign "Pearl Service Station," where he stated XXXXX talked to a young man on a number of different occasions, but that he XXXXX was unable to identify him. XXXXX was given an opportunity to view the employees of the store, at which time he stated the man with whom XXXXX talked was not present. XXXXX then pointed out the Pan-American Airways' landing as the next place where XXXXX stopped, and thence the ETO stand, previously discussed. While at the Pearl City Peninsula, XXXXX was questioned as to comments XXXXX made concerning the vessels at Pearl Harbor. He advised that XXXXX mentioned on several occasions while in the vicinity of ETO's stand that an airplane carrier at the Ford Island mooring was either the "SARATOGA" or the "LEXINGTON." He also recalls XXXXX commented that a smaller carrier was the "ENTERPRISE." It may be pointed out the ETO's stand provides a good observation point of the carrier moorings. On January 4, 1942, XXXXX accompanied the writer and Lieutenant XXXXX to Kaneohe, Kalama, Kailua, and Lanikai. XXXXX was requested to point out where XXXXX alighted from XXXXX car on the occasion when these two persons accompanied by XXXXX visited the Kailua district in the middle or latter part of October, as previously stated by XXXXX. He indicated the corner of Kuulei Road and Maluniu Avenue as the place in question. He subsequently identified the place where XXXXX reappeared as the intersection of Kuulei Road and Kalaheo Avenue. At the first-mentioned place, XXXXX stated that XXXXX disappeared, walking in a northwesterly direction, and at the latter place XXXXX stated that XXXXX reappeared, walking in a southeasterly direction toward the automobile containing himself and XXXXX. XXXXX noted these points on an Hawaii Territorial Planning Board map delineating the area in question. This map is being retained in the files of the Honolulu Field Division. In connection with the above-described visit, reference is made to the case entitled, "BERNARD JULIUS OTTO KUEHN, with aliases; ESPIONAGE-J," Honolulu file #65-4, which reflects that KUEHN resides in the vicinity described by XXXXX, and that he was undoubtedly visited on that occasion by XXXXX relative to a scheme to advise the Japanese Fleet of the number of ships in Pearl Harbor. XXXXX appeared as a Government witness in the trial of OTTO KUEHN. On January 12, 1942, XXXXX advised Lieutenant XXXXX and the writer that during the month of July to November, 1941, he visited Pearl City for the purpose of observing the United States warships about ten times, six of the trips being made in his own Ford automobile, and four in a taxi driven by JOHN YOSHIYE MIKAMI and paid for by the Consulate. On each occasion when he was instructed to make his trip, XXXXX called him to his desk, and with XXXXX showed him a sketch of Pearl Harbor, which XXXXX had drawn on a piece of paper. There were figures on this sketch representing the number of ships of different types on various locations, which he said he observed on a previous visit. He then told XXXXX that he wanted to know if there was a change, and ordered him to make such observations. XXXXX stated that there was nearly always no change, and when only a small variation, he would say there was no change because he was not sure of his observation. XXXXX believes that on each trip he informed XXXXX that there was no change from the figures given him by XXXXX. All of these trips were said to have been made on the mornings of weekdays, usually from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. XXXXX denied stopping anywhere while en route to Pearl Harbor or returning therefrom. He states that on about six occasions he went to the Peninsula and returned without stopping, and on four occasions turned back at the Pearl City junction. When XXXXX would report to XXXXX the results of his observations at Pearl Harbor, he had done so in the presence of XXXXX and occasionally in the presence of XXXXX. He also recalled that in July he drove XXXXX and XXXXX to Punchbowl, where they walked to the top. XXXXX and XXXXX talked about various directions and distances shown on the top of Punchbowl for about ten minutes, and then returned. He also recalled that in September he took XXXXX to Tantalus and returned to the office without stopping. It may be stated that both of these eminences provide excellent views of Honolulu Harbor and Pearl Harbor. XXXXX, a clerk, formerly employed at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, was interviewed on January 2, 1942,by Lieutenant XXXXX and the writer. With reference to XXXXX and XXXXX stated that often they would start out together from the Consulate during office hours, at which time XXXXX would wear an "Aloha" or sport shirt. On these occasions they would be gone for the balance of the day. XXXXX stated that he suspected they were going to "important places," and upon being asked what he meant by that, he said "military places." He stated that he thought they were going to military places because of the strained international situation between Japan and the United States, and also because XXXXX and XXXXX would not discuss where they had been. He advised that XXXXX and XXXXX were on good terms as he frequently saw them joking together when they came into or left the office. XXXXX explained that he thought that this friendship was based on the fact that both are about the same age and that he believes XXXXX father at one time had money, and therefore he could pay his way with XXXXX. XXXXX, interviewed by Lieutenant XXXXX and the writer on January 2, 1942, advised in connection with XXXXX that he and XXXXX left the Consulate together about twice each week. XXXXX stated in this connection that XXXXX went to Waipahu about two months ago with XXXXX. XXXXX believes he heard XXXXX say this to XXXXX in the presence of the chauffeur, OZAKI. However, XXXXX was unable to throw any light upon the places visited by XXXXX, either alone or in XXXXX's company, or the purpose of their trips. XXXXX, a stenographer, formerly employed by the Japanese Consulate at Honolulu, was interviewed by Lieutenant XXXXX and the writer, and she stated in connection with XXXXX that she sometimes saw XXXXX leave the Consulate with XXXXX in XXXXX's automobile, and that further these two would frequently leave together in a taxi. On other occasions neither one of them would return for the balance of the day. By letter dated February 27, 1942, in the case entitled, "JAPANESE ACTIVITIES, Honolulu, T. H.; CONFILE - ESPIONAGE (J)," the Bureau was requested to ascertain if the State Department had any objection to the prosecution of XXXXX. A letter in the instant case, dated May 22, 1942, reflected that the State Department has no objection to the prosecution of XXXXX for espionage if such action is considered warranted by the prosecuting authority. However, they requested that no action of this kind be taken until the agreement entered into between this Government and the Japanese government for the reciprocal repatriation of nationals has been carried out. The following description was obtained during the course of the interview:
It has been ascertained that XXXXX is now employed XXXXX, as a laborer. In view of the fact that all of the information contained in the file of the Honolulu Field Division has been referred to the Contact Office of the Military Intelligence Division for any action it may deem appropriate, this case is being closed. - CLOSED -
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