Tokyo, March 11, 1941.
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to state that the Japanese Government, in view of the greatest importance which they attach to the maintenance of peace in Greater East Asia, have been watching with concern the development of the dispute to which French Indo-China, whose special relations with Japan have grown still closer as a result of the agreement of the 30th August, 1940, is a party against Thailand.
The Japanese Government, from the standpoint of the maintenance of peace in Greater East Asia and recalling the peaceful and friendly spirit which prompted the conclusion of the afore-mentioned agreement between Japan and France, have offered their mediation to the Governments of France and Thailand with a view to bringing to an end the dispute between French Indo-China and Thailand. They, therefore, propose to the Government of France their plan of mediation which is presented on separate sheet with confidence that it will be unconditionally accepted by the latter Government. The Japanese Government are prepared, upon its acceptance by the French Government, to guarantee to the Government of France that the settlement of the said dispute through the mediation plan submitted by them will be definitive and irrevocable.
The Japanese Government, on the other hand, entertain no doubt that the Government of France, on their part, will endeavour for the maintenance of peace in Greater East Asia and especially for the establishment of good neighbourly and amicable relations between Japan and French Indo-China, as well as for the promotion of closer economic relations between Japan and French Indo-China, and that they will declare to the Japanese Government that they will not enter into any agreement or understanding with a third Power or Powers regarding French Indo-China envisaging political, economic or military co-operation aimed either directly or indirectly against Japan.
It is understood that the afore-mentioned guarantee by the Japanese Government and the declaration of the French Government shall by formal documents be confirmed simultaneously with the conclusion of a treaty for the settlement of the dispute between France and Thailand.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.