|
NOTE: Sections blacked out in the original are
noted by X's,
with number of lines where applicable.
DECLASSIFIED BY 9145-CI-JCDATE 3/31/86 262-648 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONForm No. 1THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT: LOS ANGELES
DETAILS: The evidence pertaining to the membership of each of the individuals listed in this report in the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN is being enclosed in this file. This evidence consists of a booklet in Japanese which was translated. It was obtained upon the arrest of ITARU TACHIBANA in the case entitled (blanked out) XXXXX and was found in his rooms #415 to 417, Olympic Hotel, 117 North San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, California, on June 7, 1941, by virtue of a search warrant issued before the United States Commissioner at Los Angeles. The information set forth herein regarding each individual was obtained from the following sources: Japanese and Los Angeles City Directory; review of the Los Angeles Division files; XXXXX; Los Angeles and San Pedro offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; XXX-2 lines-XXX. The information obtained from the San Pedro office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service was obtained by XXXXX as well as the information contained in their files. In instances where certain information is omitted concerning any of the individuals listed in this report, this indicates that a search of the above sources of information was negative. The booklet referred to above sets forth the members of the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN (Imperial Military Friends Group). The forward of this booklet was written by RIKITA HONDA, leader of the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN, on January 1, 1940, and is set out as follows: "World conditions do not allow even a moment's unalertness that it is indeed a serious situation. I am one who, together with others of our nationals in the United States, feels great responsibility in view of the fact that our country is at present engaged in a total warfare and complete mobilization. In a country such as this, which is composed of peoples of various races, it is our duty to promote friendship among the various races and at the same time to clarify our principles to guard our rights, and speed on towards the goal of our holy war. At such at time as this we must strive to have our influence felt throughout the world, we ourselves must be strong and vigorous. At such times as these we more than ever feel the greatness of his dignity (Imperial family by implication).This booklet also contains items concerning births, marriages and deaths of members of this organization and their families. It sets forth what the members do in the event of death of a member of one of the immediate family of a member. It also states that membership dues are $2.00 per annum and that members who have reached the age of 70 shall be exempt from payment of these annual dues. The booklet also set forth the founders of the organization, who, according to the booklet, are as follows: XXX-12 lines of 2 columns-XXX This booklet sets forth the names of the officers for the years 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939. The officers for 1939 are as follows: President XXXXXIt is to be noted that this booklet divides the organization into ten districts, as follows: 1. Downtown district of Los Angeles. 2. Boyle Heights 3. Hollywood 4. Uptown district 5. Pasadena 6. Sawtello 7. Gardena 8. San Pedro 9. Long Beach 10. San Fernando This booklet also lists the chairmen, vice-chairmen, and secretaries of these districts, and those officers as of 1939 are set out as follows: District XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 1 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 2 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 3 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 4 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 5 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 6 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 7 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 8 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 9 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 10 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX In the original booklet which was obtained, a number of names of various members of this organization were underlined in red pencil. This booklet was found in this condition, and the underlining may have been done by ITARU TACHIBANA because of the fact that the booklet was found in his rooms at the Olympic Hotel in Los Angeles. These individuals will be identified with the information set out concerning them. On September 9, letters were forwarded to the San Francisco Field Division Office and to the Washington Field Office, together with copies of the lists of members of the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN. The San Francisco Field Division was requested by this letter to search the records of the Registry of Motor Vehicles at Sacramento, California. The Washington Field Office was requested to obtain available information on all subjects from the files of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, including alien registration data, and also the alien registration number. The Bureau was requested to furnish the Los Angeles Office with photographic copies of fingerprints for identification purposes, also the criminal records on file in the Identification Division. In this letter to the Washington Field Office, it was also requested that the Passport and Visa Department of the State Department be checked for any available information and that this be forwarded to the Los Angeles Division. Interview was had with RIKITA HONDA, the leader of the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN, for the purpose of obtaining up-to-date information as to the officers, members, purpose and activity of this organization. RIKITA HONDA stated that he was the president of this organization and has been ever since it was founded; that the XXXXX of this organization are XXXXX and another individual whose name he could not recall. He advised that the XXXXX of the organization at present is XXXXX and that the XXXXX is XXXXX. He said that at present there are no other officers. Dr. HONDA was questioned as to the present heads of the different districts of this organization. He advised that XXXXX is head of the XXXXX district, that XXXXX was head of the XXXXX district, that XXXXX is head of the XXXXX district, that one XXXXX is the head of the XXXXX district, and that XXXXX is the head of the XXXXX district; that he could not recall the heads of the other districts. Dr. HONDA stated that at present the total number of members of this organization is between 60 and 70; that the members pay $2.00 a year as dues; that the organization holds meetings three or four times a year, at the most, and that meetings are held in his office. It is to be noted that RIKITA HONDA is a physician and surgeon with offices on the second floor of the Eagle Hotel, 129½ East 1st Street, Los Angeles. Dr. HONDA was questioned as to the purpose of this organization and he advised that the sole purpose was to create friendship between the Japanese and the United States; also that this organization has no connection whatsoever with any group in Japan or with the Japanese Government. He stated that he would be very much pleased to furnish this office with the complete list of members of the organization as well as present officers of this group, and that this information would be available in the near future. Dr. HONDA also stated that he is the founder of the organization and the one responsible for its existence. He appeared willing to furnish the above information. However, it is believed that the list of members and officers as contained in the booklet is a more accurate list. A list of names of members of the NANKA TEIKOKU GUNYU-DAN was furnished as of August 11, 1941, by RIKITA HONDA. XXX-2 lines-XXX Following are memorandums on all individuals listed in the booklet, plus additional names obtained from the list furnished by Dr. HONDA which are not included in the booklet. {181 pages withheld entirely at this location in the file. One or more of the following statements, where indicated, explain this deletion.} {For your information: MATERIAL CONTAINED HEREIN, CONCERNED THIRD PARTIES.} -- Table of Contents --
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||