Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0047, 1945-12-05.

Author Supreme Commander for The Allied Powers. Allied Translator and Interpreter Section.

Date5 December, 1945

translation numbereconomic-0227

call numberDS801 .S81

Persistent Identifier
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER SECTION
PRESS TRANSLATIONS
No. 227 Date: 5 Dec 45

ECONOMIC SERIES: 47

ITEM 1 Finance Ministry Exemets Fifteen Corporations from Penorting Investments - Chubu Nippon - 26 Nov 45. Translator: T. Okamura.

Full translation:
Fifteen corporations with head offices located in foriegn countries have been selected by the Finance Ministry for exemption from reporting the investments, etc., of individual shareholders. Another five or six such corporations will be announced by the Ministry in near future. Corporations exempted are as follows:
The SOUTH MANCHURIA Railway company; The MANCHURIA Telephone and Telegraph company; The SOUTH MANCHURIA Mining company; The DAIREN Machine Manufacturing Works, Limited; The MANCHURIA wool Textile company; The ASANO cement Company of MANCHURIA; The CHOSEN Electric Company; The [illegible]SUIKO sugar Manufacturing Company; The MANCHURIA Heavy Industry Development Company; The MANUCHURIA Electric corporation; The MANCHURIA Arsenal; The MANCHURIA Tobacco corporation; The I[illegible]AKI cement Manufacturing company of MANCHURIA: The Central CHINA Development Company; and The [illegible]ITTO Industrial Company.
Shareholders of corporations whose head offices are in JAPAN and which manage their major business transactions in foreign territories, are exempted from reporting. However, these corporations are requested to report the names and addresses of shareholders who own over ten per cent of the total shares of individual corporations. These reports must be submitted through the head office or branch offices of the Bank of JAPAN to the Finance Ministry, together with the formal reports on investments in foreign territories, as indicated sometime ago.

ITEM 2 This year's Rice Prospects; Rad Crop Expected - Nippon Sangyo Keizai - 1 Dec 45. Translator. Y. Sato.

Full Translation.
The rice crops of JAPAN Proper this year have been unusually bad. According to the first survey made by the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry or 20 September, the expected yield this year is 46,000,000 koku, a decrease of 11,940,000 koku compared to last year's yield. Since the investigation, the climate has been rather favorable. Although there was much rain in October, and clear weather continued throughout the whole November, actual results seem to have gone a little beyond expectations, especially in the western part of JAPAN.
ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
On 31.October the Information section of the National Agricultural Corporation, mobilizing all the members of the local information office, collected reports relating to the anticipated rice crops of this year. The reports gathered from 34 different areas show that the anticipated rice crop this year amounts to 35,520,000 koku; and adding the estimate of another 12 areas which have not yet been reported, the total yield will be in excess of 47 120,000 koku. This is, to be sure, a bad crop, but it will not be less than 46 or 47,000, 000 koku:
The following table indicates the anticipated yield compared with last year, based on the 31 October report of the Agricultural Association:

Scroll Table to show more columns

Estimated yield 19 45 1944 yield
HOKKAIDO 1,202,000 koku 2,925,000 koku
IWATE 913,000 " 1,248,000 "
VIYAGI 1,500,000 " 1,806,000 "
AKITA 1,68[illegible],000 2,081,000 "
YAMAGATA 1,720,000 " 2,128,000 "
FUKUSHIMA 1,700,000 " 2,162,000 "
IB[illegible]AGI 1,500,000 " 1,871,000 "
GUMMA 634,000 " 835,000 "
SAITAMA 1,221,000 " 1,450,000 "
CHIBA 1,614,000 " 2,004,000 "
KANAGAWA 383,000 " 425,000 "
TOYAMA 1,130,000 " 1,574,000 "
ISHIKANA 850,000 " 1,073,000 "
FUKUI 840,000 " 1,025,000 "
YAMAMASHI 400,000 " 450,000 "
NAGANO 1,361 000 " 1,692,000 "
GIFU 1,040,000 " 1,240,000 "
SHIZUOKA 1,250,000 " 1,207,000 "
AICFI 1,750,000 " 1,863,000 "
NIE 1,200,000 " 1,270,000 "
SHIGA 1,23[illegible],000 " 1,401,000 "
KYOTO 780,000 " 748,000 "
OSAKA 723,000 " 726,000 "
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)

Scroll Table to show more columns

HYOGO 1,200,000 koku 1,808,000 koku
NARA 630,000 " 546,000 "
MAKAYAMA 501,000 " 534,000 "
TOKUSHIMA 885,000 " 524,000 "
MAGAMA 470,000 " 553,000 "
KOCHI 400,000 " 553, 000 "
FUKUOKA 2,056,000 " 2,105,000 "
SAGA 960,000 " 1,106,000 "
MAGASAKI 326,000 " 408,000 "
OITA 762,000 " 976,000 "
MIYAZAKI 400,000 " 695,000 "
KAGOSHIMA 900,000 " 1,085,000 "

ITEM 3 Procedure for Delivery and payment of Goods Delivered to the Occupation Force - Nippon Sangyo keizai - 2 Dec 45. Translator: R. Aoki.

Full translation:
Because of the lack of familiarity with the procedure regarding payment for goods delivered to the UNITED STATES Eighth Army, delays have often occurred. For this reason the YOKOHAMA Branch of the central Liaison Office has made public the approved procedure regarding payment for delivered goods so that unnecessary delays may be avoided.
When the Eighth Army orders something from the Japanese Government, it presents the Central Liaison office with two copies of a requisition bearing the signatures of a responsible American officer and that of a Japanese official of the Liaison Office. These documents will be presented to the owner of the goods through the Public Relation Section of the Prefectur[illegible]Then the owner will deliver the goods in exchange for a formal receipt from the American Army. For payment, this receipt, together with a bill produced by the owner, must be submitted to the prefectural Governor through try public Relation Section.
All deliveries and payments shall be handled in this manner. No other method will be deemed acceptable. It is assured that there is no question of direct requisitioning of personal property by the Occupation Force. The Occupation Army authorities have agreed upon this point in concrete terms. But if any such action occurs as an emergency measure or due to some unfamiliarity with the procedure, the person should deliver the item, but must be sure to obtain a temporary receipt from the person directly responsible for the requisition, and immediately report the matter to the YOKOHAMA Branch of the Liaison Office. If this is delayed, confirmation of the transaction may become difficult, because the detachment for which the requisition was made may have moved to some other area.
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)

ITEM 4 Coal expected 949,000 tons in December; Distribution only to specified Industries - Nippon Sangyo Keikai - 2 Dec 45. Translator: H. Shindo.

Full Translation:
We are now facing a severe winter without coal. Furnaces operate only now and then and cake burners cannot be used at all. Many industries have closed down because of the coal deficiency. If the current coal condition is not changed, our vital industries may decline. But if the state railway strictly limits the operations of passenger and freight trains, the food-problem will become more serious. In spite of this condition, coal production during November decreased to below 500,000 metric tons; this is the lowest it has ever been. Although we are striving for a goal of 10,000,000 metric tons during the latter half of this fiscal year, the coal situation shows no signs of improving. [illegible]present rate, only one third of that goal will be reached.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry forecasts that coal-production will hit its lowest point during December. Therefore, we can no longer hope for the tonnage [illegible]previously anticipated. The Ministry assembled the personnel of the Coal Policy Committee Distribution Section on 29 November 1945 to discuss the coal distribution plan for the month of December and decided to adopt a rationing plan. This will be based on a total of 949,000 metric tons consisting of 535,000 metric tons to be produced and 414,000 metric tons to be released from coal in stock. According to this plan, only specified industries will be given coal during December. Small quantities will be available for the HONSHU and HOKKAIDO railways.
The solution of the coal shortage is in the hands of the miners and other coal workers. We must fill the mines with a great number of laborers and send steamers and sailing vessels at the right time to the right Places to distribute the coal still in stock.

ITEM 5 Organizing bill for Silk-yarn Industry Association - Nippon Sangyo Keizai - 2 Dec 45. Translator: Z. Konishi.

Summary:
A plan for the organization of the NIPPON Silk-[illegible]arn Industry Association will be submitted to General MacArthur's Headquarters for approval. The Plan which was decided upon after several conferences of the organizing committee is as follows: (1) Organization - To consist of six departments under the president of the Association, namely, General Affairs, Accounting, sericulture, silkworm Classification, Silk Yarn, and Export Departments. Branch Offices will be set up in local districts according to necessity. The local silkyarn industry Associations will be self-managed, but will co-operate with the central Association. (2) Operation - After the various departments have been estatblished, a Representative Assembly will be established consisting of the president, vice-president, members, and special members. Members of the Assembly and Special-members are to be elected from each department. Additional members will be elected from other fields of the business or from among men of experience and knowledge.
A forty-eight man council to consider only important matters will be appointed from among the members and special members. The method of election of the President, Vice-president and Directors has not yet been decided, but it appears that a Board of Directors consisting of 28 members will be elected from among the members of the Representative
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)
ITEM 5(Continued)
Assembly and that the President will be elected at the Directors' meeting.
Noteworthy results of the plan outlined above would be:
(1) Agriculture Associations would be limited in their activities as representatives of the sericulturists; (2) It is possible to expect more democratic methods from the establishment of the departmental assembly; (3) Excessive Concentration of business will be prevented. Generally, however, the plan does not seem like a perfect measure for destroying old feudal influences.

ITEM 6. Economic Measures of the Government clarified in the Diet - Tokyo Shimbun - 3 Dec 45. Translator: M. Maruyama.

Summary:
Important economic measures with particular reference to food, currency, commerce, industry. Civilian livelihood and import articles, all of which have serious bearing upon the peoples' daily lives, are being earnestly discussed in the Diet sessions of both the House of Representatives and House of peers. The following is a general survey of these measures:
1. Food: The prevailing uneasiness is over the food situation in JAPAN, which may bring starvation to many people by April of next year. How to break through this situation will be the most vital mission 0f the present Diet session. During the first three days of the plenary sessions of the two Houses interpellations were virtually concentrated on this problem. Premier SHID[illegible]HARA, in his speech on the administrative policy, referred to the problem of food and declared that its solution would form the foundation for stabilizing popular livelihood. The principal interpellators on the question included Mr. MATSUMURA, Shinichiro, (KENNYUKAI) of the House of Peers; Mr. MATSUMURA, KOZO (Progressive Party) of the House of Representatives; Mr. HATOYAMA [illegible]hiro, (Liberal Party) of the House of Representatives; NISHIO; Suehiro (Social-Democratic Party), of the House Peers. (TN - KENKYUKAI - a faction in the House of peers) The replies of the Government to the interpellations are summarized as follows:
The importation of foodstuffs has been permitted in principle through the good will and understanding of the supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. Efforts are being made by the Government to start it as quickly as possible. It is doubtful, however, whether the necessary food can be really obtained in time to meet the coming food crisis. Even if the foods are imported, the restoration of rice ration to 2.3 go, net to mention an increased ration to 3 go, will be difficult. Naturally, the Government is planning to utilize grass, grass roots and bark of trees for dietary purposes.
The Government plans to compel farmers to deliver 30,000,000 koku of rice out of this year's estimated crop totalling 43,000,000 koku, the lowest figure in many years, and to let them deliver wheat and other cereals if they find it difficult to fulfill the delivery of assigned rice. It is also planned that the Government will give fertilizer and farm implements to the farmers who fulfill their rice deliveries faithfully. All these are temporary measures, but the Government intends to: introduce a farm land reform bill in the present Diet session as a permanent step in solving the agricultural problem.
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)
ITEM 6 (Continued)
In answer to an interpellation put by Mr. MAUSUMURA, Kozo, Agriculture and Forestry Minister MATSUMURA, Kenzo, said, "The 3.3 go rice ration is impossible under the present circumstances, but it is planned that the Government will distribute substitute foods to compensate for the deficiency. The Government will maintain present control on the principal foods. Rice monopoly is not contemplated by the Government."
Answering an interpellation of Mr. MATSUMURA, Shinichiro, (Fouse of Peers), the Agriculture and Forestry Minister, said, "Nothing definite has yet been decided on the import quantity of rice, the date of importation and other details, although the Government has received permission in principle by the Supreme Commander on the importation of food. The 2.3 go rice ration may he possible, but this depends upon the amount of prospective rice importation. The Government expects that about 750,000 tons of ammonium sulphate fertilizer will be produced here next year and 2,000,000 tons in 1947."
2. Finance: Finance Minister SHIBUSAWA made the following statement to a question concerning inflation put by Mr. MATSUMURA, Kozo at the plenary session of the House on 28 November: "Disharmony between the values of money and materials is remarkable at present. How to harmonize the difference will be the crux of the Government's financial policy. The Government is going to draft a five-year financial plan for this purpose. At the same time, the Government will make efforts to contract the currency in circulation by means of establishing a war profit tax and levying the full amount of the profit in addition to the capital levy. The two steps have an anti-inflation policy as their immediate aim, and the restoration of the former sound economic status as the ultimate objective. The people are requested to give their fullest support to these taxes. Strict care will have to be exercised by the Government in the imposition of these taxes, because, if it errs, this will not only place the nation in the utmost distress but will make the possession of unfair and partial wealth more pronounced than ever before. The Government, therefore, will place profits, not produced by the war, outside the limits of the two new taxes. Financial and other fiscal measures alone will not [illegible]to counteract inflation. In this connection, production increase must also be realized. Taking this into consideration, the Government will defray a possibly large sum of money for production increase next year."
3. Commerce and Industry: Commerce and Industry Minister OGASAWARA answered to an interpellation of Representative MATSUMURA, Kozo, at the House plenary session on 28 November by saying that the Government plans to submit to the next Diet session a basic industry bill to set the main outlines for economic democratization. The Minister also expressed the Government's idea to reform the status of control associations. Answering a question by Representative TAMURA, Hidekichi, the commerce and Industry Minister declared, "The abolition of the license system has not yet been made through law, but it has been done in reality; this has been effected, as is seen from a. joint note, issued by the vice-ministers to the prefectural governors. The present steps extended to coal mining and several other industries can be interpreted as the defacto abolition of the license system. Representative [illegible]IYOSHI, Nobufusa, inquired about the fiber industry at the plenary session of the House on 29 November, to which Minister OGASAWARA answered as follows: "About 35 per cent of the fiber industry of this country is at present in operation. JAPAN is planning to import 180,000 tons or 2,880,000 piculs of cotton during one year beginning with the last quarter of 1945 to the third quarter of next year."
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 47 (Continued)
ITEM 6 (Continued)
4. Civilian Livelihood: The most heated discussion was on civilian livelihood which forms the most vital problem in the situation following the war. Representative TAMURA made a series of interpellations on the problem, to which Welfare Minister ASHIDA answered, "The number of unemployed is expected to total about 13,000,000, including 6,000,000 demobilized veterans. How to give them appropriate jobs is a momentous problem. The Government is contemplating the adoption of various relief measures, including the development of farm land and reconversion of the munitions industry into peacetime industry.
Answering an interpellation of Representative NISHIO (Social Democratic) on 29 November the Welfare Minister said, "The Japanese at large take about 1,400 calories from the daily rice ration of 2.1 go and some vegetables in contrast to the absolute minimum of about 1,600 needed calories. Efforts are being made by the Government to replenish the shortage."
Minister ASHIDA to a question of Representative FUKUYA, Toshiichi, at the House plenary session on 30 November answered, "The pensions for veterans and their families will be abolished as of 1 February 1946 in conformity with the Supreme Commander's directive. This abolition will have a very far-reaching influence. Those who are entitled to pensions in JAPAN proper numbered 1,376,000 as of 20 September. A total sum of pensions amounting to 497,700,000 yen is paid to these. Those overseas number 4,413,000, and to them a total of 1,293,000,000 yen is paid. The combined total of pension-holders is 5,789,000, to whom is appropriated 1,790,000,000 yen. The Government is studying measures of how to counteract this abolition. A special commission is likely to be organized for that purpose."
5. Imports: Commerce and Industry Minister OGASAWARA made the following explanation to a question put by Representative NISHIO on the importation of vital commodities at the House plenary session on 30 November "What will be made collateral goods for the importation of food, petroleum products, salt, raw cotton and others is now being studied by the respective Ministers concerned. The Government's import plan involves 1,130,000 tons of coal, 850,000 tons of ferrous ores, 1,500,000 tons of salt, 180,000 tons of cotton, 128,000 tons of non-ferrous metals, 653 kiloliters of petroleum products, etc., costing approximately 2,800,000,000 yen. The collateral goods for these imports consist of l,6l3,000,000 yen in fiber products, 359,000,000 yen in chemical products, 431,000,000 yen in machines, 157,000,000 yen in miscellaneous goods, (304,000,000 yen in tea, canned goods, furs, agar-agar, medicinal ginseng, camphor products and others, and 205,000,000 yen in industrial art production. The combined total value of these prospective exports is 2,700,000,000 yen."
The Minister further said in answer to Mr. NISHIO: "Due to a bumper rice crop in KOREA, that country is able to export rice ranging from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 koku. The agricultural crops in the UNITED STATES are considerable this year. The wheat crop amounts to 250,000,000 bushels, which is an increase of 66,000,000 bushels over the year before. It is expected that about 66,000,000 bushels may be chipped from Canada and Australia."
DISTRIBUTION "X"
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