CANADA HISTORY - DOCUMENTS WAR

1939-45 Soviet-Japanese Neutrality and Denunciation

Analysis of the Document - (The Document follows below the Analysis)

The Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, signed in 1941, was a significant diplomatic agreement that influenced the course of World War II and had implications for Canada and its allies. The agreement allowed Japan to focus its military efforts on expanding its empire in the Pacific without fear of conflict with the Soviet Union, while the Soviets concentrated on their western front against Nazi Germany. Canada, as part of the Allied war effort, was impacted indirectly by this pact, as it shaped the broader strategic landscape in the Pacific and Asia, affecting the deployment of resources, military strategies, and international relations.

At the time of the pact, Canada was heavily involved in supporting Allied efforts both in Europe and the Pacific, notably through the Commonwealth Air Training Plan and other war production efforts. The neutrality pact meant that Canada and its allies would not face a two-front war with Japan and the Soviet Union in the Pacific, allowing them to focus on the critical battles of the Pacific theater, such as Midway and the Solomon Islands, without worrying about Soviet involvement in the region.

However, the denunciation of the pact by the Soviet Union in 1945, just months before the end of the war, dramatically shifted the dynamics of the conflict. The Soviet invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria in August 1945, following the pact's denunciation, contributed to the rapid collapse of Japanese resistance, hastening the end of the war in the Pacific. This shift further solidified the Soviet Union’s influence in post-war Asia, laying the groundwork for future Cold War tensions in the region.

For Canada, the implications of these events were significant. The end of the war in the Pacific saw Canada shift from a wartime economy back to peacetime, but the geopolitical changes in Asia, influenced by the Soviet-Japanese dynamic, foreshadowed the coming Cold War. Canada’s role as a member of the United Nations and an emerging middle power would be shaped by these new global realities, as the country navigated post-war diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts in a world increasingly divided by Soviet and Western blocs.

In sum, the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and its eventual denunciation played a crucial role in shaping the endgame of World War II and the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. While Canada’s direct involvement in the Pacific theater was limited compared to Europe, the outcomes of this pact had a lasting influence on Canadian foreign policy and its role in the post-war international order.

(1) Pact of Neutrality Between Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Japan

(2) Declaration Regarding Mongolia

(3) Soviet Denunciation of Pact With Japan

(4) Soviet War Declaration on Japan

(1) Pact of Neutrality Between Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Japan

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of teh Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, guided by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, have decided to conclude a pact on neutrality, for which purpose they have appointed as their Representatives:

the Presidum of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics -

Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Yosuke Matsuoka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of teh Sacred Treasure of the First Class, and

Yoshitsugu Tatekawa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Lieutenant General, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of the Rising Sun of the First Class and the Order of the Golden Kite of the Fourth Class,

who, after an exchange of their credentials, which were found in due and proper form, have agreed on the following:

ARTICLE ONE

Both Contracting Parties undertake to maintain peaceful and friendly relations between them and mutually respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the other Contracting Party.

ARTICLE TWO

Should one of the Contracting Parties become the object of hostilities on the part of one or several third powers, the other Contracting Party will observe neutrality throughout the duration of the conflict.

ARTICLE THREE

The present Pact comes into force from the day of its ratification by both Contracting Parties and remains valid for five years. In case neither of the Contracting Parties denounces the Pact one year before the expiration of the term, it will be considered automatically prolonged for the next five years.

ARTICLE FOUR

The present Pact is subject to ratification as soon as possible. The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Tokyo, also as soon as possible.

In confirmation whereof the above-named Representatives have signed the present Pact in two copies, drawn up in the Russian and Japanese languages, and affixed thereto their seals.

Done in Moscow on April 13, 1941, which corresponds to the 13th day of the fourth month of the 16th year of Showa.

V. MOLOTOV

YOSUKE MATSUOKA

YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA

(2) Declaration Regarding Mongolia

DECLARATION

In conformity with the spirit of the Pact on neutrality concluded on April 13, 1941, between the U.S.S.R. and Japan, the Government of the U.S.S.R. and the Government of Japan, in the interest of insuring peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, solemnly declare that the U.S.S.R. pledges to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of Manchoukuo and Japan pledges to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the Mongolian People's Republic.

Moscow, April 13, 1941

On behalf of teh Government of the U.S.S.R.

V. MOLOTOV

On behalf of the Government of Japan

YOSUKE MATSUOKA

YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA

(3) Soviet Denunciation of Pact With Japan

(The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XII, No. 305, April 29, 1945)

The American Ambassador at Moscow transmitted to the Secretary of State, by a telegram dated April 5, 1945, the following statement, as received from the press section of the Foreign Office, regarding Soviet denunciation of the U.S.S.R.-Japanese neutrality pact:

" 'Today at 3 p.m. People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR Mr. V. M. Molotov, received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. N. Sato, and made the following statement to him in the name of the Soviet Government:

" 'The neutrality pact between the Soviet Union and Japan was concluded on April 13, 1941, that is, before the attack of Germany on the USSR and before the outbreak of war between Japan on the one hand and England and the United States on the other. Since that time the situation has been basically altered. Germany has attacked the USSR, and Japan, ally of Germany, is aiding the latter in its war against the USSR. Furthermore Japan is waging a war with the USA and England, which are allies of the Soviet Union.

" 'In these circumstances the neutrality pact between Japan and the USSR has lost its sense, and the prolongation of that pact has become impossible.

" 'On the strength of the above and in accordance with Article Three of the above mentioned pact, which envisaged the right of denunciation one year before the lapse of the five year period of operation of the pact, the Soviet Government hereby makes know to the Government of Japan its wish to denounce the pact of April 13, 1941.'

" 'The Japanese Ambassador Mr. N. Sato, promised to inform the Japanese Government of the statement of the Soviet Government."

(4) Soviet War Declaration on Japan

London, Aug., 8, 1945 - Foreign Commissar Molotoff's (sic) announcement of the declaration of war, as broadcast by Moscow, follows:

On Aug. 8, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R. Molotoff received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sato, and gave him, on behalf of the Soviet Government, the following for transmission to the Japanese Government:

"After the defeat and capitulation of Hitlerite Germany, Japan became the only great power that still stood for the continuation of the war.

"The demand of the three powers, the United States, Great Britain and China, on July 26 for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces was rejected by Japan, and thus the proposal of the Japanese Government to the Soviet Union on mediation in the war in the Far East loses all basis.

Taking into consideration the refusal of Japan to capitulate, the Allies submitted to the Soviet Government a proposal to join the war against Japanese aggression and thus shorten the duration of the war, reduce the number of victims and facilitate the speedy restoration of universal peace.

"Loyal to its Allied duty, the Soviet Government has accepted the proposals of the Allies and has joined in the declaration of the Allied powers of July 26.

"The Soviet Government considers that this policy is the only means able to bring peace nearer, free the people from further sacrifice and suffering and give the Japanese people the possibility of avoiding the dangers and destruction suffered by Germany after her refusal to capitulate unconditionally.

"In view of the above, the Soviet Government declares that from tomorrow, that is from Aug. 9, the Soviet Government will consider itself to be at war with Japan."