Kinkazu Saionji
Kinkazu Saionji (died 1993) was the grandson of Kimmochi Saionji a very influential figure in modern Japan.[1] Kinkazu Saionji was the secretary of the Japanese Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations (IPR) and became a consultant of the Japanese Foreign Minister. Saionji enjoyed free access to the highest social and official circles in Japan and enjoyed a special intimacy with the Prime Minister, Prince Fumimaro Konoe. Saionji introduced Hozumi Ozaki into these circles, and both men—Ozaki and Saionji—became members of what was known as Konoe's "breakfast group," a group of high level trusted advisers. Both of these men—Ozaki and Saionji—were KGB agents and members of the famous Sorge spy ring. Closely associated with them was Tomohiko Ushiba,[2] Saionji's predecessor as secretary of the Japanese IPR.
A note from Dr. Edward C. Carter to Frederick Vanderbilt Field reads,
- "Dear Fred: As you know, we began early last autumn trying to get a man of the rank of Ushiba, Matsukata and Saionji to join the International Secretariat [of the IPR]."[3]
Saionji was convicted and sentenced to three years, but because of his powerful family connections got a suspended sentence. Richard Sorge, head of the spy ring, and Ozaki were executed.[4] Saionji emigrated in the 1950s to the Peoples Republic of China.[5]
References
- ↑ New York Times Obituary, April 23, 1993.
- ↑ Statement Handed by the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to Mr. Tomohiko Ushiba, Private Secretary of the Japanese Prime Minister (Prince Konoye), 6 July 1941, U.S. Department of State, Publication 1983, Peace and War: United States Foreign Policy, 1931-1941 (Washington, D.C.: U.S., Government Printing Office, 1943), pp. 685.
- ↑ United States Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security Hearings, August 9, 1951.
- ↑ While You Slept : Our Tragedy in Asia and Who Made It, John T. Flynn, New York : The Devin - Adair Company, 1951, pgs. 139 - 141 pdf.
- ↑ Klehr & Radosh (1996); Haynes & Klehr (1999: 375); Johnson (1964: 105, 111-13, 231 n*).
