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น
SECRET
BRITISH EMBASSY,
TOKYO
1 September, 1967
Enter
2004
18.
Dear Littlejohn-Cook,
Hong Kong Working Group, London
I thought that you might like to have our comments on your circular letter IR1/240/15 of 15 August about the Hong Kong Working Group, London.
2.
As far as Japan is concerned, our view is that anti-China propaganda which can be seen to be emanating from British sources is likely to be counter-productive. We can however keep an eye on
the activities of Chinese officials and journalists resident in Japan particularly anything smacking of a "Red Guard" approach which could be construed not to be in Japan's best interests. Reports which we receive from the police frequently contain items of this nature and we shall make sure that you know of them.
3. We could usefully distribute relevant articles in English or Chinese from reliable Hong Kong newspapers. We have requested a supply of these in our telegram No. 463 of 25 August to the Foreign Office, copied to Hong Kong.
IRS.
4. It would also be useful to have a supply of background material about Hong Kong showing how its existence in its present form helps Japan's interests. Material which would emphasise the enlightened social policies of the Hong Kong Government, particularly in con- nexion with labour, could also be used to good effect in Japan. We have had very little of this sort of material from Hong Kong though we have, of course, received from time to time background material from the Central Office of Information.
5.
From our reading of the influential Japanese press it does not seem that relations between Japanese correspondents in Hong Kong and the Government Information Service are as cordial as they might be.
The Charg ́e d'Affaires expressed our concern about this in the letter to the Political Adviser in Hong Kong dated 17 August (16715/35/67). I enclose a copy of this letter and of a reply which we received today.
6. One way to improve liaison with the Japanese press in Hong Kong (which we consider to be a matter requiring urgent attention) would be to attach a Japanese-speaking officer with experience of
G.S. Littlejohn-Cook, Esq.,
Joint Information Policy and Guidance Department.
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