[RARE PUBLICATION OF US-JAPAN RELATIONS IN THE 1950S].

米軍調達受詿への手引. [Beigun chōtatsu jushō heno tebiki].
[A Guide to Receiving U.S. Military Procurement].

[Japan]. 在日米軍調達部. [Zainichi Beigun Chōtatsubu]. 1952. Stock ID #219162

137pp, 20.5 x 26.7cm, one double sided mimeographed covering letter loosely inserted, original pictorial wrappers. Light foxing and browning first and last leaves and on wrappers (quite browned on lower wrapper), paper spine trifle worn with a small chip at tail. Still a very good copy.

This scarce 1952 publication by the US Forces Procurement Department explains in the Japanese language how to engage in business dealings with the US Forces in Japan. A cover letter, also printed in Japanese, signed by Edward W. Sawyer, is loosely inserted in the publication. Sawyer was the commanding officer of the Japan Procurement Agency at the time. During his military career he had received an MBA from Harvard and was knowledgeable in handling business. In his cover letter, Edward Sawyer emphasises that it is not necessary to engage an agent in order to obtain contracts from the US Force as long as business processes are followed properly.

The occupation of Japan formally ended when the San Francisco Peace Treaty became effective in April 1952. However, by that time, the Korean War had broken out, and some 250,000 US troops remained stationed in Japan. During the Korean War, US procuments in Japan totalled over $3.5 million in value, and had a major impact in stimulating the revival of the postwar Japanese economy. Many thousands of Japanese workers were also recruited to play auxiliary roles with the US military in Japan and Korea. This volume gives a fascinating insight into the way in which the system operated on the ground.

The opening section describes the structure and operations of the US military procurement process. The text then goes on to explain the steps involved in signing a contract with the US military, and the inspection and payment process which will occur when the work is complete. This is followed by a "question and answer" section, taking potential suppliers through such things as the details of the process of bidding for contracts, the raising of finance to complete contracted work, and payment arrangements. The explanations are evidently designed to help agents recruiting labour for work with the US forces, as well as for suppliers of raw materials and manufactured goods. The volume includes a sample contract, inspection report and invoice (all in English as well as Japanese).

The striking cover design shows a pair of scales balancing military equipment on one side and documents (contracts?) on the other, poised on top of a map of Asia and America. The image seems aimed to reassure suppliers of the fairness of the US military's dealings with with business. An image of Mt. Fuji is on the upper left.

We have not been able to locate a library holding this important work.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 219162.

Price: $1,750.00 AU

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