My name is Antoun Sawires and I am a huge history nerd. I love abstract situations that have some really cool history behind them. So the question at hand is "What happens to an embassy during a war? Well, first let's start by explaining what an embassy is.
What is an Embassy?
An embassy is used as an extension to a country's government for diplomacy. It helps two countries have a better line of communication. An embassy also can help negotiate treaties, set up meetings between government leaders and much more. So what happens when diplomacy falls apart and the two countries go to war?
In an average situation, nothing happens. The embassy's personnel is sent home to their country because they are under the protection of diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic immunity is given to diplomats and ambassadors and that protects them from most laws in the country they are stationed in.
Imperial Japan vs The United States
The most interesting example of what can happen to an embassy and its personnel is between the Imperial Japanese and the United States. The Japanese had two main diplomats stationed in the Japanese embassy in the United States. Envoy Saburo Kurusu and Ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura. They were tasked with negotiating with the Americans to try to prevent a war. A few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor the Japanese embassy got a long encoded message to cut all ties with the American government before the message to declare war was sent.
Envoy Saburo Kurusu
Ambassador Nomura
What happens Next?
The same day of the attacks on Pearl Harbor both Envoy Saburo and Ambassador Nomura went to meet with Secretary of State Cordell Hull. While their meeting was going on the attacks on Pearl Harbor had already begun. This miscommunication between the diplomats and the Japanese government was because of a lengthy encoded message that was still be translated during their meeting. This was a major reason why the United States took most of the embassy personnel and included them with many other Japanese immigrants and descendants in internment.
Ironically enough Ambassador Nomura here on the cover of Time Magazine only 3 months prior
It is unclear when they were released and sent back to Japan. Many in America believed that they had prior knowledge of the attacks on Pearl Harbor and were stalling negotiations. Below the Niagra Falls Gazette from February 4, 1946, showing an article stating that no charges will be filled by the allies against Envoy Saburo or Ambassador Nomura.
What do you think about this situation leave it in the comments below!
Extras
This is a video of American propaganda justifying the internment of Japanese along with the Japanese Diplomats.