Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0176, 1946-01-18.

Full Translation:

The coal control Association (SEKITAN TOSEI KAI) held an extraordinary general meeting on the l4th in the NIPPON Industry Club at MARUNOUCHI. At the meeting, it was decided to revise the provisions regarding a special fee on coal which has been collected and reserved by the Association for restoration expenditures on occasions of colliery accidents. By the revision, the special fee was raised from the present rate of 20 sen to 40 sen per ton of coal shipped. The new rate is retro-active from 1 April 1945. This revision aims to meet the increased expenses of the Association and the decreased production of coal.

Full Translation:

According to press reports of the 15th from various parts of the country, coal production seems to have been progressing favorably, amounting to 286,700 tons in the first ten days of January. The Coal Control Association (SEKITAN TOSEI KAI) had expected it to be 286,400 tons. The regional details are: 68,100 tons in HOKKAIDO, 42,900 tons in the eastern district, 1,000 tons in the western district and 174,700 tons in KYUSHU.

There were 7.2 working days in the first ten days of January compared to 8.9 and 9 days in each ten-day period in December. Meanwhile, production in December had an upward, tendency: 212,700 tons in the first ten days, 278,600 tons in the second, 349,100 tons in the last ten. Thus coal production is considered to be showing a favorable trend. An amount nearly equal to that of the last ten days of December has been produced in the first ten days of January. If this tendency continues, it is anticipated that coal production will almost certainly exceed 1,000,000 tons in January.

Full Translation:

Simultaneously with the abolition of the petroleum monopoly law on the l6th the Ministry of commerce and Industry revised the retail prices of petroleum products upward, 4.5 to 7 times higher than the old ones, depending on the type product. The average raise in price figures to about 4.86 percent. The reason for present higher prices is the stoppage of the supply of crude oil from the southern regions and the increases in the prices of raw materials due to the abolition of the purchase grant.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 176 (continued)

ITEM 3 (continued)

Retail prices of standard articles are as follows: (Unit: Yen per kiloliter or per ton)

Full Translation:

The Federated committee of Economic Bodies (KEIZAI DAN TAI RENGO IIN KAI) has decided to set up the JAPAN Salt Manufacturing Association (NIPPON ENGYO KYOKAI) as a central organization to increase the production of salt. This Association will re-examine the demand and supply of salt in JAPAN and will make every effort to make the country self-sufficient in salt production. It will be a non-government organization consisting of salt specialists, people producing salt for their own consumption, people producing salt by electricity, soda manufacturers, food manufacturers, floor manufacturers, merchants, and fish producers. The group aims to produce 1,650,000 metric ton of salt, consisting of 1,000,000 metric tons of table salt and 650,000 metric tons of industrial salt.

This Association will co-operate in the governments plan to increase salt production-plan a protective policy for salt manufacturers throughout the country, who will be affected by imported salt; support actively the plan of changing airfields into salt fields; secure

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 176 (continued)

ITEM 4 (continued)

materials and laborers for salt production; take up a scientific and technical study of salt and improve Japanese methods of salt manufacture; control demand and supply of salt throughout the country; and start a campaign of education to improve efficiency by nationalizing the use of salt.

Full Translations:

A meeting of administrative officials was held on l6 January 1946 at the official residence of the Premier. Vice-Minister of Finance YOSHITANI described current counter-measures against high prices, and views were exchanged on this subject. The general opinion was that the various measures taken by the ministries should be standardized, and a request to that effect was put to Secretary to the Cabinet, NARAHASHI.

Full Translation:

The Ministry of Justice called all public prosecutors of the Courts of Appeal throughout the country to be present at the economic prosecution meeting on 15 January. Withdrawal of controls over perishable foods has increased black marketeering and in the same way has made other daily necessities considerably higher in price. The Nation in general has reached a crisis.

In this connection, the meeting reached a decision to severely exp[illegible]profiteering in perishable foods and other necessities. All chief public prosecutors were notified of this decision. At the same time, economic crimes concerning staple foods, rice, barley, salt, etc, the illegal acquisition of necessities in official and military circles, and abuses of authority involving necessities by officials and men in control organizations will be more strictly watched according to a program already established. By these measures, the current food crisis can be overcome, and national honesty will ensue.

Full Translation:

The Finance Ministry has decided to remove the various restrictions on the Military Post Office Savings Bank. Soldiers or civilians, when repatriated, may bring with them the Military Post Office Savings Bank passbook and withdraw savings.

Withdrawal of savings from the Army or Naval Post Offices will be limited to 1,000 Yen. When any surplus sum remains, the passbook will be retained by the Post Office to submit to the Board of Communication (TSUSHIN-IN) for the necessary adjustments. The passbook of a repatriated men held by the Marine Transport Bureau (KAIUN-KYOKU) located at the port of landing will be returned to the owner.

At the same time, the restriction on bonds and securities brought by repatriates, will also be removed. Repatriates in general, including military employees, may bring bonds or securities up to 1,000 Yen in value, in addition to the money brought with them. For military officers, the limit will be 500 Yen in value, including money, and 200 Yen for non-commissioned officers and other ranks.

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