MAGIC Message #067


MESSAGE #067
Date: May 9, 1941
FROM: Los Angeles (Nakauchi)
TO: Tokyo (Gaimudaijin)

(In 2 parts--complete)
Strictly Secret.
Re your message # 180 to Washington.

We are doing everything in our power to establish outside contacts in connection with our efforts to gather intelligence material. In this regard, we have decided to make use of white persons and Negroes, through Japanese persons whom we can't trust completely. (It not only would be very difficult to hire U.S. (military ?) experts for this work at the present time, but the expenses would be exceedingly high.) We shall, futhermore, maintain close connections with the Japanese Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the newspapers.

With regard to airplane manufacturing plants and other military establishments in other parts, we plan to establish very close relations with various organizations and in strict secrecy have them keep these military establishments under close surveillance. Through such means, we hope to be able to obtain accurate and detailed intelligence reports. We have already established contacts with absolutely reliable Japanese in the San Pedro and San Diego area, who will keep a close watch on all shipments of airplanes and other war materials, and report the amounts and destinations of such shipments. The same steps have been taken with regard to traffic across the U.S.--Mexican border.

We shall maintain connection with our second-generations who are at present in the (U.S.) Army, to keep us informed of various developments in the Army. We also have connections with our second generations working in airplane plants for intelligence purposes.

With regard to the Navy, we are cooperating with our Naval Attache's office, and are submitting reports as accurately and as speedily as possible.

We are having Nakazawa investigate and summarize information gathered through first hand and newspaper reports, with regard to military movements, labor disputes, communistic activities and other similar matters. With regard to anti-Jewish movements, we are having investigations made by both prominent Americans and Japanese who are connected with the movie industry which is centered in this area. We have already established connections with very influential Negroes to keep us informed with regard to the Negro movement.


The remainder of the MAGIC messages reproduced in the book cover some of the details of this effort and the intelligence operations in Panama, Hawaii and the Philippines.

Among other things they include information on:

  • Details of the networks established in Seattle and Los Angeles, including the use of Japanese Americans
  • Use of Japanese businesses, chambers of commerce, newspapers and various associations to gather intelligence
  • A proposal to bribe an espionage trial witness
  • "Spy" reports
  • Plans in the event of war

MAGIC message #073

Intelligence reports


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