Matsuoka rewrites the proposed understanding with Washington

Konoe's effort to reach a draft understanding with the United States became vulnerable when he fell ill as Matsuoka returned to Tokyo. Matsuoka wanted Germany to see the proposed document and changed it into a counteroffer that removed Japanese concessions over China and the Pacific. Ambassador Nomura then delivered that altered position in Washington. Konoe could not easily disown his foreign minister's actions without exposing the government's internal disagreement and further damaging confidence in its commitments. Cabinet members pursuing incompatible policies complicated the negotiations.