Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0112, 1945-12-29.

Summary:

A repariate who returned from CHINA just two weeks ago after four years stay, told us that he was astonished at the present state of JAPAN in spite of its destruction. He was also surprised that the present economic condition of JAPAN resembles that of CHINA in the early part of 1943 when commodity prices there had risen to such an extent that people paid the equivalent of 1,100 yen for a news paper, and 1,800 yen for an egg.

Japanese economy is now facing its greatest crisis owing to the nationwide distrust of government policies, just as the Chinese economy was hamstrung due to the utter lack of co-operation by the Chinese people. In 1943, when commodity prices were inflated and all industrial activities were paralyzed, owing to the Japanese block made and drastic Japanese control over commodity transportation the result was the total absence of all commodities.

However, the case is far worse in JAPAN at this moment than it was in CHINA two years ago. JAPAN's industrial production, far from being merely paralyzed is now on the verge of collapse, and any further holding-back of commodities is impossible because of the severe food shortage. As a result, speculation in all commodities is in full swing. Despite such a desperate condition, the Government still maintains its policy of putting price ceilings on rice and other basic commodities. Nowever, such a policy is apparently Impossible is as much as all other goods are flowing into a free market. Therefore this policy is now facing thorough sabotage on the part of the farmers in delivering rice crops, just as in CHINA two years ago.

Although in JAPAN people have been helped along by their retirement of part-time pay, this can not last beyond a limited period now that production has stopped. Such being the case, it is apparent that so Acrious a shortage of goods not only hastens the circulation of paper money but also spurs the holding back of goods, thereby causing more vicious inflation.

In CHINA, the same phenomenon had been witnessed during the early part of 1943, and consequently a series of drastic steps had been taken but failed to cure the inflation.

Now that paper money has considerably lost its value in JAPAN, barter prevails to such an extent that farmers are hardly able to get necessary communities unless they offer the farmers clothing to get rice. In CHINA as long as there was a supply of [illegible]as they were available in spite of the issuance of more

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paper money However in JAPAN where no hope can be laid on further industrial production, the situation is much worse. From this stand point, more drastic measure are expected to be taken in order to banish inflation.

At the same time, there is an urgent need for adopting a system similar to the payment in kind system which was introduced by the Japanese authorities in CHINA to surmount inflation. However, before such measures are fut into effect, a great economic reorganization with strong economic control as its basis must be carried out. On the other hand, vicious people who are careless of their country's post-war reconstruction must be weeded out. Thus, we will stride forward to the construction of a new JAPAN.

Summary:

In accordance with the Allied Headquarters directive, the Commerce and Industry Ministry and the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry issued an urgent Imperial Ordinance directing those engaging in production, manufacture, or sale of raw silk, Chinese silk (SAKUSANKI) or silk goods as well as producing or manufacting goods using rubber, such as telegraph wire, balloons, umbrellas, and rubber-coated goods, to report by 15 January 1940 on their stock of raw silk, silk yarn, Chinese silk yarn and silk goods as of 31 December 1945.

The report further says that all necessary step would be taken by both Allied forced authorities and Japanese police to keep the present status unchanged.

Summary:

The Central Railway Transportation Commission (TATSUDO UNID CACO IINAKAI) held a committee meeting on 20 December for the first time since the end of the war, and decided on a commodities transportation plan for the third quarter of the 1946 fiscal year (January to March 1940). It is estimated that there will be about 23,003,000 tons of commodities to be transported during this period. The expected transportation capacity for the period is extimated at 22,020,000 tons which is about 93 per cent of the required capacity.

With the ending of the war one railway transportation capacity has become greater than the actual shipments, and it is no longer necessary to draw up any plans for preferential shipment of important goods. But the deficiency of the railway transportation capacity, due to the coal shortage has compelled the authorities to work our such a plan. The outline of the new plan is as follows: 1. Efforts will be made to secure transportation for coal which is an essential requisite for industry; 2. Transportation of requisites such as sample for a will be secured; 3. Transportation of necessities, even such as for a for unreasonably long distances will be restricted to save coal; 4. Transportation of materials for industries which will not resume [illegible]will be restricted; 5. Attention will be did to the transportation of fertilizer, chemicals for agriculture and other [illegible]is urgently needed for promoting food production; 6. Measures will be taken to ease confusion and inconvenience arising from the use of [illegible]cars for freight.

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The following table shows the expected transportation capacity and the required capacity in every month of the period compared with the total tonnage actually transported during the corresponding period of last year.

The above extimates are based on their first curtailment of transport service carried out since the beginning of December. If the present coal situation is not improved, the transportation of capacity will be more greatly decreased than scheduled. Moreover, the transportation schedule includes preferential shipment of 26 kinds of important goods. The following table shows the ratio between these goods and other to be transported:

(To No units, or basis of figures given)

The following measures are being practiced by the railroad authorities to save coal consumption:

• 1.Only expert engineer are employed to run trains. These engineers must report the amount of coal they consume.
• 2.The standards of coal consumption classified by railroad lines, class of train, and type of engine are worked out by chief engineers. The ability of engineers in judged according to this standard.
• 3.Special allowance is given to engineers according to the amount of coal they save.
• 4.Research in substitute fuels is encouraged.
• 5.Special attention in due to making up trains so that full traction capacity of engines may be utilized.
• 6.Engineers are urged to practice reasonable operation of trains to avoid wasting coal.

Careful attention is paid to keep engines in a satisfactory condition.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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