Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0144, 1946-01-10.

Summary:

The problem of the dissolution of the ZAIBATSU, which had a monopoly on JAPANESE economy and had constituted a military agency itself, has been taken up by a directive from General Headquarters' issued on 6 November 1945.

Since that day, this problem is being finally solved with the co-operation of all ZAIBATSU members. On the other hands the Ministry of Finance is considering a plan for the establishment of a committee, the function of which is to settle the problem of the holding companies of the four large ZAIBTSU. The remainder of the still existing ZAIBTSU consists of fifteen members, and these have each submitted a plan to the Finance Ministry. The detailed arrangement for this problem has been worked out with the cooperation of General MacARTHUR's Headquarters. However, it is worthy of note that these fifteen intermediary ZAIBATSU members wanted to succeed in their industrial enterpriser by transfering their shares to the settlement committers. The business of these ZAIBATSU members largely consisted of heavy and chemical industries as compared with the other four ZAIBTSU, The [illegible]ITSUI, MITSUBISHI, SUMITO[illegible]O and The YASUDA. The main interprise of these was financial. Allied Headquarters seems to take into consideration the personal problems accompanying the dissolution of the ZAIBATSU, only with the view to complete the dissolution.

Full Translation:

The total population of N[illegible]NO Fen on 1 November 1945 was 2,119,622, the age groups are as follows: children, 1-13 years (non-productive age), 700,344 (33 Per cent); adults, 14-61 years old (productive age), 1,254,109 (59 per cent); and the aged, 62 years old and upward (non-productive age), 165,119 (8 per cent).

The number of children compared with that of February 1944 shows an increase of about 174,000 (33 per cent); that of adults 290,000 (30 per cent); that of the aged, 5500 (3 per cent). The proportion of females to males is 100;84.9; when classified according to age, the proportion comes to be: children, 1-13 years old; 100:102; adults, 14-61 years old, 100:77.1; the aged, 62 years old and up, 100;76.7.

We can also add the following figures: people of 95 years of age, 20 (including 5 males); of 96 years of age, 18 (including 5 males); of 97 years of age, 9 (including 1 male); of 98 years of age, 4 (including 1 male); of 99 years of age, 1 (female); of 100 years of age, 1 (male).

ECONOMIC SERIES: 144 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

As compared with figures of February 1944, there is a decrease of 18 in those 95 years of age (1944:38); of 96 years of age, there is a decrease of 9 (1944:27); of 97 years of age a decrease of 4 (1944:13); of 98 years of age a decrease of 3 (1944:8); of 100 years of age, a decrease of 3 (1944:7); of 99 years of age, a decrease of 7 (1944:8); of hundred years of age, a decrease of 1 (1944:2); in both 1944 and 1945, there was no man of more than 100 years of age.

ICHIMURA, Chief of the Statistic Section of the Prefectural Government, remarked on the figure shown above: "The children, 1-13 years old, will gradually decrease in number, while more of them are soon to return to their parents, as they had been evacuated to this prefecture. Those l4-61 years old are rather small in number, and this shows the slowness of repatriation. They will, however, become more numerous as time goes on and may reach the figure of about 200,000. Male children are greater in number than female ones; this is a common phenomena throughout the country and deserves our special attention. It is said that more females than males are born during war. This may be ascertained and justified on the authority of many statistics. "During the depression in 1929 and 30 both the death rate and birth rate declined. If the relationship is recognized, the current state of inflation and food shortage will exercise a considerable influence on population figures in the future. It is to be noted that a considerable decrease is shown in the number of the aged. In studying the above figures, it must be borne in mind that certain things have been omitted in the investigation, such as prisons, etc. It also sometimes happens that figures differ more or less from those published by the central Government or other authorities.

Full Translation:

(S[illegible]NDAI) The [illegible]HOKU S[illegible]O Working Staff Association held an urgent mass meeting on the afternoon of 7 January to democratize the machinery of the union. They demanded: 1. That employees be given the right to bargain collectively. 2. That the directorate be dismissed, 3. That the company be incorporated, and stocks be distributed among the employees. 4. That the social welfare system be reformed. 5. That working conditions be improved.

The proposals have been presented to the president of the company.

Full Translation:

The Government's proposal to promote and secure the full supply of the daily necessities by abolishing the control on prices and distribution, has been rejected by the Allied Supreme Headquarters. Regarding this, Minister of Commerce and Industry OGASAWAFA announced in on interview with journalists on 7 January that the government intends to continue its control and is now considering the establishment of a new controlling organization. The gist of his statement is as follows:

"Actually even if we should abolish the control of prices and distribution, it would not necessarily result in an active appearance of materials on the market or the stabilization of prices. Producers do not have the zeal to produce on the pretext that it is difficult to foresee future consequences. This tendency is more noticeable among the large producers. The authorities, however, intend to offer every facility for the production of necessities. Moreover, we are considering the establishment of a new agency for the order and purchase of materials in return for imports, so we urge all producers to undertake active production.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 144 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

If anybody is producing in anticipation of future removal of price controls, it is a grave mistake. If an official price is too low, we will raise its price to its proper level, but we never intend to abolish prices entirely. Once there was a trend toward the return of a free economy. But the necessity for control is as absolute as before. I am considering the establishment of an organization called the Controlling Bureau (TOSEI KYORU), to whose committees many civilians will be appointed.

"In addition, the output of cool in December amounted to 850,000 tons beyond expectations. The main cause of its production is finally attributable to the distribution of staple foods. In fact, production has been much increased since staple foods for special distribution arrived at the coal mines in HOKKAIDO on 23 December, where the food difficulty had been most severe. But it is a serious matter that two months were required before the specially distributed foods reached places where they were to be consumed. Here exists the obstacle checking increase of production. The Commerce and Industry Department has decided to establish an Investigation Section to devote all its time to determining whether or not Government measures are being put into rapid execution."

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