Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0094, 1945-12-22.

Full Translation:

In anticipation of the enforcement of the drastic Land Reform Bill, now under discussion in the Diet, many landowners in MIYAZAKI-Ken are re-registering their farms in the names of their relatives or acquaintances.

The bill, which was submitted to the 89 Extraordinary session of the Diet, and which, it wad once feared, would be disapproved by members representing the opinions of landowners, is now certain to be passed. This is due to the directive issued by the Supreme Commander for Allied Headquarters, which orders the emancipation of tenants who have for centuries been under the unlawful, feudalistic oppression of landlords. The bill enables tenants to buy land by installment payments at low interest rates.

Some landowners who have farm land of over five chobu are attempting to re-register their land by distributing it among relatives or acquaintances. Some others are reported to be threatening their tenants to force them to return the farms. Others are selling at unlawful black market prices.

A certain landlord in YASHIRO-Mura, in this prefecture, is said to have compelled his tenant to sign a contract by threatening to sell the land to others unless he paid 1,500 yen for it. The land in question is estimated to be worth 500 or 600 yen at present.

In this connection, the authorities of the Agricultural Administration Section of the prefectural government demanded of both landowners and tenants the following: "The Agrarian Land Reform Bill, which will be amended shortly, will be enforced in order to reconstruct agrarian communities in line with this democratization of a new JAPAN, to promote the moral of farmers in increasing production, and to establish sound a peasant class. It is, therefore, a matter of great regret to see such lamentable deeds prior to the materialization of the bill."

The prefectural Government authorities also revealed their policy to the effect that it is only natural that the sole, offer, or transfer of any agricultural land requires the approval of the prefectural governor, and that such negotiations should be done in accordance with the provisions of the Extraordinary Agrarian Land Price Controlling Ordinance (RINJINOJI KAKAKU TOSEIREI). The prefectural government,

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ITEM 1 (Continued)

they said, would approve the sale of land only after conducting a minute investigation into the situation.

The authorities demanded that landowners abide by the law and aid in the fair distribution of land, in accordance with the objectives of the bill. The prefectural authorities also said that it was the wish of the government that tenants, when they wanted to buy land, should become self-cultivating farmers by using the funds provided for the creation of self-cultivation. The tenant classes were, at the same time, told to report immediately to the Agricultural Association (NOGYO KAI), or to the prefectural government, any cases in which they are compelled by landowners to sell their land unlawfully.

Full Translation:

For the purpose of sweeping away black markets and peddlers in front of the railroad station the HIROSAKI Fresh Fish and Shellfish Distributors Union (SEISEN GYOKAI HAIKYŪ KUMIAI) opened its business offices, at a square in front of the station, and at places where black markets are rampant. They sell fish cheaply at cost and thus are enjoying popularity among the towns people.

Their selling prices are: codfish, 40 yen per kan; cuttlefish, 3 yen each; sardines, 40 yen per kan.

The union passed a resolution to continue to supply the townspeople and will oppose the black markets and peddlers until they disappear.

Summary:

The Peaceful JAPAN Re-Construction Brotherhood (HEIWA NIPPON SAIKEN KYODAN) filed a protest against the MITSUI Mining Company (MITSUI KOZAN KAISHA) for the ill-treatment of coal miners at TAGAWA mine, quoting information of deserters from the mine. This news greatly affected the applications in TOKYO for mine workers, which should reach 1,500 by the end of the year. Out of 1,600 men enrolled in TOKYO, less than 70 per cent have actually gone to work. In order to probe the matter, the Metropolitan Police Office called officials of both parties to meet on 17 December act the Labor Department office. The meeting, however, was not attended by the Brotherhood, which merely sent a message saying that two of its officials were dispatched to the mine for inspection. The MITSUI Mining Company insists that the Brotherhood's accusation is groundless, being based on false information, and urges the directors of the Brotherhood to visit the mine to look into the matter personally.

Summary:

The Conference Board of Essential Industries (JUYO-SANGYO EYOGIKAI) submitted on 19 December, to the authorities of the Ministry of Commerce

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ITEM 4 (Continued)

and Industry, its final plan for industrial organization. The plan not only embodies the concerted views of the entire financial world but also fully takes into consideration the unofficial plan of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Thus the plan is said to represent the final word of the Government and people with regard to the matter of industrial organization. The plan covers five basic points:

• 1.Replace the semi-official control institutions by autonomous bodies based on democratic principles. The necessity of the planned economy is admitted under present conditions, but planned economy must be administered with the principle of self-control.
• 2.Distinguish clearly between the basic industries and the middle and small scale industries. For the middle and small scale industries the principle of co-operative associations must be applied.
• 3.With regard to the industrial organizations of essential industries, the elimination of monopolistic tendencies and the public nature of the organization must be stressed. The Government function of supervision of monopolistic tendencies must be incorporated with the forthcoming Industrial Basic Law. In addition, an Essential Industries Control Committee shall be established. This body must be so arranged that the equitable views of the Government and people always reflect upon the administration of essential industries.
• 4.All industrial organizations must be managed on democratic principles, thus getting away from the "fuehrer" principle. The opinion of the board of directors must be respected.
• 5.Industrial organizations must be classified into three groups: (1) the central economic institution; (2) institutions representing major economic groups; (3) institutions for each industry. Under this plan the central institution will become worthy of the name for the first time, in JAPAN.

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