GHQ was pushing for somebody who wanted to photograph his private life. And, if it left alone, the government section or the GHQ in charge of that thing will approve this guy that will go in and take pictures. So, MacArthur was worried about that. He might, the Emperor might say yes because GHQ is pushing for it. So, he understood that. He said, "he will say no if he feels like it."
And, he was very appreciative of the General's thoughtfulness even on an issue like that. Of course, it is a big issue. It's a matter of privacy for the Emperor. So, I told him that's what I came for and make sure that you understood. He said, "thank you very much." He understood that that was the official part of it.
Then, he relaxed and asked me if I were Japanese decent or Nisei. I said yes. "I want to tell you," the Emperor said, "I understand that Nisei had been a tremendous help in getting the agreement or understanding for both sides, sort of a buffer." "Just like a bridge," he said, "I appreciate that." He said, "I hope you would continue, and only say to continue to be a bridge so there will be no misunderstanding."
Then – that's about all I could remember. He probably said more but, but in jest that's what he wanted. And, I thanked him for seeing me, and he thanked me. I think I shook hand with him before I left, but I'm not sure what happened. But, I did – I'm sure that I did. He thanked me, and I thanked him, and he left.
Later on, I found out that there is no one who went – who had a meeting with the Emperor face-to-face and without interpreter because I knew Japanese, so just two of us. I thought that would be two, four, five people surrounding us observing, but that wasn't the case. That's all I could tell you about my meeting with the Emperor.
