Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0166, 1946-01-15.

Extracts:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced on 12 January the five year schedule of its tenant land distribution plan. The authorities are anxious to carry out the schedules as specified for each year. For this purpose, not only the annual report of fulfillment has been requested from every agent, but also it has been made clear that the subsidy funds shall be closed each year and not allowed to carry over to the succeeding year. As to the loan funds, the Government is planning to use the funds of the Deposit Section (YOKINBU) of the Bank of JAPAN, subject to the approval of Allied Headquarters. The loan of this money will be rendered to the applicants through the Central Bank of Agriculture and Forestry (NORIN CHUO GINKO), or the Hypothec Bank of JAPAN. The value of the loan will be up to 70 per cent of the average distribution price; that is, up to 450 yen per tan. This will make a total of the 6,750,000,000 yen to be loaned for disposition of 1,500,000 cho. On the other hand, the government subsidy amounts to 188 yen per tan or 30 per cent of the price, thus making the total involved 2,820,000,000 yen for 1,500,000 cho.

A. Areas of Redistributed Lands.

B. Funds Loaned.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 166 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

C. Government Subsidies.

Full Translation:

Four motor auxiliary sail boats which were engaged, in carrying coal from HAKODATE in HOKKAIDO to AOMORI, ceased operating on 9 January because of the shortage of food for the ships' crews, and, as a result, the amount of coal shipped from HOKKAIDO has been cut in half for the present. After a desperate effort by the agents concerned to solve this difficulty, the ships began to sail again on 11 January. Nevertheless, food conditions in HAKODATE are so critical that the food supply for ships cannot be assumed as yet. Since many ships are engaged in the important business of coal transportation, not only the ship operators, but the public agents of the Marine Transportation Bureau and the Ship Operating Association (SENRAEU UNEIKAI) are negotiating with government authorities in HOKKAIDO concerning the matter.

Summary:

Under the industrial democratization movement, labor disputes in JAPAN are now assuming a serious stage in every industrial field.

At the MIUTA coal mines in HOKKAIDO, the labor union proposed on 9 January its demands for the improvement of labor conditions to Mr. GOTO, superintendent of the MIUTA mines, requesting an answer by noon of 15 January. The main items in the demands are: (l) a daily wage increase of five yen for underground workers and three yen for above-ground workers in addition to the official daily wage, and a raise in wage standards based on the average wages for three months before the end of the war; (2) to give workers at least 20 days off in the course of a year; (3) to fix a 200 yen minimum and 1,200 yen maximum monthly wage standard; and (4) to guarantee the pay of hospitalized workers.

The union, while waiting a reply is preparing to manage production in the event of an intentional delay in answering the demands.

The TOKYO Metropolitan Office has recently established a committee for the improvement of working conditions to secure better standards for more than 100,000 metropolitan employees, consisting chiefly of policemen and school teachers. The first meeting of the committee was held on 12 January when various steps to improve conditions were reportedly deliberated.

- 2 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 166 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

More than 300 employees of the SHITAYA-Ku Office made their demands for better treatment to the Chief of the TOKYO Metropolitan Office after their meeting held on 12 January. This movement is now most likely to spread in every ward of Metropolitan TOKYO.

The TOKYO Traffic Employees Union held its second meeting for improved conditions for all employees on 12 January. Practical problems are reported to have been studied. Judging from the deliberations at this meeting, the threefold wage increase is believed to have been realized.

The Federal Nationwide Agrarian Association has declared its intention to support the movement for the democratization of all machinery in the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry as well as to wipe out the red-tape in all Agrarian Associations.

Employees of the NIPPON Transportation Company (NIPPON TSUUN KAISHA) are expected to hold a general meeting on 13 January in order to voice demands for better treatments. Their demands are: (l) to fix a minimum wage of 742 yen for all married employees and 542 yen for all single employees; (2) to democratize the Company as well as to dismiss all wartime leaders; and, (3) to participate in the management.

About 400 employees of the YOKOHAMA Post Office organized on 12 January the Employees Association under the leadership of Mr. KAJIKAWA, M. and agreed on demands such as a 50 per cent wage increase, a special winter allowance, and the immediate abolition of discrimination against men and employees based on official rank.

At the TSURUMI Plant of the NIPPON Steel Pipe Industry (NIPPON KOKAN TSURUMI KOJO) the demands of 2,500 workers for a threefold wage increase was turned down by Mr. TANUKA, Chief of the Plant. As a result, a meeting was held on 11 January, wherein it was decided to take over the management of plant production and at the same time to start salt production, taking advantage of the unused facilities. This labor dispute is likely to spread over into all other plants.

At the TOKYO SHIBAUBA Electric Company (TOKYO SHIBAURA [illegible]ENKI KAISHA) production under the management of the workers got underway as of 12 January. All workers are now striving for increased production, while labor capacity is being steadily increased.

The Democratic Scientists Association (MINSHU-SHUGI KAGAKU SHA KYOKAI) established in TOKYO held its inaugural meeting on 12 January at which they decided: (l) to struggle against feudalistic as well as fascistic doctrines; (2) to study and to extend the democratic science; (3) to contribute to the livelihood of the nation by scientific techniques; (4) to work in close co-operation with the Democratic Scientific and Technical Research Body (MINSHU-SHUGI KAGAKU GIJUTSU DANTAI); and (5) to publish the journal, "Democratic Science". The membership of the Association is made up of all authorities in the political, scientific, and educational fields.

At the Imperial Edible Oil Control Company (TEIKOKU SHOKUYU TOSEI KAISKA), 500 employees, under the

- 3 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 166 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

organization of the Employees Association have just succeeded in achieving their demands for a 50 per cent wage increase, a commodity price allowance of 100 yen for every employee, a family allowance of 30 yen for each member of the family, and the shake-up of officers of the Company. On the other hand, they strictly oppose dissolution of the Company.

Employees of the KAHOKU SHIMPO Newspaper Company held a general meeting on 8 January and demanded the democratization of the company, and better treatment by Mr. ICHIRIKI, President of the Company, who in turn accepted their demands on 10 January without dispute.

Full Translation:

The Heavy Industry Association (JUSANKYO) called a meeting of the business men of medium standing at the Industry Club (KOGYO KURABU) at MARUNOUCHI recently and discussed the establishment of a new organization, including all the rising business men. After discussing the matter, they decided to have a general meeting this week for the establishment of the new organization. The general idea of the organization is as follows:

1. The new organization will be in the form of a club including as a nucleus all business men who will be able to be the leaders of the new age. 2. Stress will be put upon the spirit of supplying what is lacking, and not seeking the withdrawal of the old powers as is prevailing in the world. 3. A concrete financial policy is to be established which will try to reflect the opinions of those who are in medium standing. 4. The selection of the members will be made by electing a representative new figure from every economic section. 5 As to its relation with the Organized Economic Bodies (SOGO KEIZAI DANTAI), it is a matter of question whether it should be under their supervision, or it should be a group of the outer circle (GAIKAKU DANTAI), or whether it should be an entirely independent body. But it is clear that it should keep a close relation with the united organization.

Full Translation:

For the purpose of petitioning the Allied Powers for import of foods, the Government is busily collecting commodities which are to be exported in return. If an import of foods is realized, it will considerably relieve the urgent food situation at present. It will satisfy the present need for rice which is to be distributed additionally to coal miners.

The Trade Bureau (BOEKI CHO) has been endeavoring to collect the necessary commodities of life which are to be shipped to KOREA in return for food. The commodities which the Bureau intends to prepare in February amount to about 12,000,000 yen in the total price; covering 20 types of articles, including silk and artificial silk piece goods,

- 4 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 166 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

watches, portable electric furnaces, stones, pottery and others. Most of the articles has already been collected. It is yet unknown how much rice will be imported in exchange for these articles. The Government has made an application to the Allied Powers with regard to the particulars of the trade such as time, quantity and so on. A favorable directive of the Allied Powers, as in. the case of raw silk shipped last time, is being awaited by the Government.

In addition, despite efforts of the Trade Bureau, the production of these collateral commodities makes no satisfactory increase, because of shortage of coal, difficulty in transportation, and so on. The special account that is designed to finance the producers is still untouched, reflecting the inactive production caused by the unsatisfactory supply of coal and salt for industry and other essential materials.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 5 -