Final Steps To Ratify U.S.—Japan Treaty

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29237, 22 June 1960, Page 15

Final Steps To Ratify U.S.—Japan Treaty

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.)

TOKYO, June 21.

The Japanese Cabinet today deferred the final approval and ratification of the new United States-Japan Security Treaty until after the treaty was ratified by the United States Senate. In Washington, the Democratic leader of the United States Senate, Senator Lyndon Johpson, announced early today that he would bring up the security treaty for ratification tonight if the Senate disposed of a pending tax bill in time.

Senator Johnson said he had received a telephone call and a letter from the Secretary of State, Mr Christian Herter, requesting ratification as soon as possible. In Tokyo, only Cabinet approval and the Emperor’s attestation remain to complete the domestic business necessary before the exchange of the instruments of ratification with the United States. Political observers predicted that the Prime Minister, Mr Nobusuke Kishi, would express his intention to resign immediately after the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the security treaty. Observers said Mr Kishi’s expected statement on his resignation would not immediately bring about the resignation of his Cabinet. They said the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party would discuss the election of the next party president.

Observers said the convention of the Liberal-Democratic Party would be held at the end of next month to elect the new president and decide policies. When the new president was elected, an extraordinary Diet session would be convened to designate the new Prime Minister. Observers said the new Cabinet was expected to dissolve the Diet in the (northern) autumn.