What did the declassified documents reveal?

Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified government record from vault.fbi.gov titled, "Japanese Volunteers for Formosa," a memorandum from March Twentieth, Nineteen-Fifty. This document sheds light on efforts by Chinese Nationalists to recruit Japanese citizens for military service after World War Two. This record was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and is available through The Black Vault, one of the largest privately run archives of declassified government documents. It provides insight into United States intelligence observations on recruitment activities in Japan. The document opens with an office memorandum dated April Fifth, Nineteen-Fifty, from O-A, Mr. Sprouse, to F-E, Mr. Menghini, regarding "Reports of Japs in Taiwan, including Baker's Hogan Report, were referred to Sebald in February. Sebald's reply is attached. A copy has been sent to Strong re Taipei." Attached is a letter from the United States Political Adviser for Japan, W. J. Sebald, in Tokyo, dated March Twentieth, Nineteen-Fifty, addressed to John M. Allison, Director, Northeast Asian Affairs, Department of State. Sebald writes: "With reference to your letters of February Fifteen and February Seventeen, Nineteen-Fifty, concerning efforts of the Chinese Nationalists to recruit Japanese for service in Formosa, I am enclosing a memorandum prepared by an officer of this Mission as a result of information secured on a confidential basis from G-2. According to G-2, such recruitment activity has taken place, but it has been on a very small scale and no Japanese recruits are known to have been employed in combat activities. On March Seven, G-2 sent to the Chinese Mission a strongly worded communication, of which I have only now become aware, advising the Mission to take steps to prevent any further recruitment activities in Japan." The enclosed memorandum, prepared by Foreign Service Officer Charles N. Spinks, titled "Japanese Volunteers for Formosa," states: "On March Fifteen, Nineteen-Fifty, the undersigned officer conferred with Lieutenant Colonel G. D. Walker, Civil Intelligence Division, G-2, on the subject of the recruitment by the Chinese Nationalists of Japanese volunteers for service in Formosa. According to Colonel Walker, G-2 has been keeping close watch on this activity, which first began in June Nineteen-Forty-Nine. Several Chinese Nationalist agents have come to Japan for the purpose of recruiting volunteers and have worked closely with the First Section (Military Affairs) of the Chinese Mission. Arrangements have been made whereby the First Section of the Chinese Mission pays twenty thousand Yen monthly to each volunteer's family while the volunteer himself receives a salary independently while on duty in Formosa. Several efforts have been made by Chinese Nationalist agents to secure S-C-A-P approval for a volunteer recruitment program. Overtures for this purpose have been made through G-2. According to Colonel Walker, however, G-2 has…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-005Declassified

Filed NOV 11 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record From Vault.fbi.gov

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 11, 2026

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Declassified. gov titled, "Japanese Volunteers for Formosa," a memorandum from March Twentieth, Nineteen-Fifty. This document sheds light on efforts by Chinese Nationalists to recruit Japanese citizens for military service after World War Two.

Date: NOV 11 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified government record from vault.fbi.gov titled, "Japanese Volunteers for Formosa," a memorandum from March Twentieth, Nineteen-Fifty. This document sheds light on efforts by Chinese Nationalists to recruit Japanese citizens for military service after…

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What was CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record From Vault.fbi.gov about?: Declassified. gov titled, "Japanese Volunteers for Formosa," a memorandum from March Twentieth, Nineteen-Fifty. This document sheds light on efforts by Chinese Nationalists to recruit Japanese citizens for military service after World War Two.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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