Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0195, 1946-01-23.

Summary:

The NAGANO prefectural authorities have been preparing plans for the establishment of salt-making plants, at an estimated cost of 3,000, 000 yen, in order to meet some of the demand for salt. At the end of last year, the authorities bought 3,500 tsubo of land at OTSUKA Mura in AICHI-Ken. The land faces ATSUMI Bay and is near the GOTU Station on the TOKAIDO Line. The ceremony of clearing a building site has been already performed. The construction will be started shortly. Not only plants of high-pressure filtering and crystalizing are being planned, but also warehouses and boarding houses. Electric equipment and other materials for construction have already been sent to the spot. As to the method of salt making, two elcctri[illegible]methods, high pressure and low pressure, will be employed there. This joint use of two methods is called a new attempt.

The prefectural authorities are planning a production of 3,000 tons a year (ten tons a day). If this can be realized, about 20 per cent of 13,500 tons, the quantity distributed for civilian use in the prefecture last year, will be self-supplied. However, the plants will be incapable, at first, of producing ten tons a day because of imperfect equipment. It is the earnest desire of prefectural authorities to produce any salt, even a small amount, and distribute it to the residents of the prefecture in time for the season of plum pickling and soya brewing. They are now selecting personnel for these plants - a director, two or three businessmen, three technicians, and (about 25) workers.

Summary:

To bring about the control of food by the people and to overcome the impending food crisis, the People's Council for Overcoming the Food Crisis (SHOKURYO KIKI TOPPA MINSHU KYOGIKAI) will be organized soon, it was formally decided at a preparatory committee meeting held on 21 January at the YOMIURI SHIMBUN auditorium.

The committee mooting, which was held under the leadership of the Employees' Union of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was attended by some 50 representatives from leading labor unions and newspaper offices in TOKYO. At the meeting, Mr. KATO of the Employees' Union of the said ministry, explained the present situation of food and proposed at the earliest possible date the organization of a powerful people's organization, which, through close co-operation with laborers, peasants and the general public would take measures for the realization of the control of food by the people.

In order to launch a nationwide movement for the project, it was decided at the meeting that the People's Council to Overcome the Food Crisis will be organized. The council will hold a general meeting

ECONOMIC SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

on 3 February, to which various democratic organizations in the KANTO District will be invited. The committee meeting also selected subcommittees for food control, food delivery and food distribution, which will start preparations for the national movement.

The Employees' Union of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry which advocated the establishment of the council, issued a statement entitled "with the General Public," which is understood to be the second of its kind. The statement pointed out that the government should be democratic, and must be the people's government. The statement also criticized the attitude of the feudalistic high officials who believe that the matters of the government should be settled by the government itself, without consulting the people. In line with the spirit of this new movement, the Food Control Committee (SHOKURYO EIRI IINKAI) was organized in HAKUSAN-GOTEN-Machi, KOISHIKAWA-Ku, TOKYO, to supervise the fair distribution of food and aims as its ultimate objective, controlling of all provisions by the citizens of the Metropolis, The township holds under its jurisdiction 253 households, which were unified into neighboured block associations (CHOKAI) by the war calamity.

The committee which is composed of 40 members, including 20 standing members, will supervise the distribution of rice, miso, soy sauce and other vital food items in order to prevent unjust distribution by professional provision dealers. The members, on and after 20 January, will visit in turn every shop to witness when the distribution of such foods as made.

Full Translation

(In millions of yen) (* shows decrease)

- 2 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

(In millions of yen) (* shoves decrease)

(In millions of yen) (* shows decrease)

- 3 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Note: Above tables do not include figures of overseas institutions.

Full Translation:

As it takes times to establish the Joint-Stock Company Readjustment Committee (KABUSHIKI KAISHA SEIRI IINKAI) which the Government will establish to break up the ZAIBATSU, the head office of the SUMITOMO will dissolve the company. A director's meeting on 21 January 1946 discussed the shake up of the directors, and the reformation of the administration. The matters decided on are as follows:

• 1.New appointees: SUGANO, Hidejiro, Representative Director (DAIHYO TORISHIMARI) (Former vice-chief of the Executive Department and chief of the Accounts Section). TANAKA, Sadao, Director (Former chief of Personal Department). HIRAGA, Goro, Director (Former chief of the Forestry Office). OSHIMA, Kenzo, Auditor (Incumbent).
• 2.Resigned directors: FURUTA, Jinnosuke (Representative director); KITASAWA, Keijiro (Managing director); KAII, Shosaburo (Managing director); KASUGA, Hiroshi (Director); MIMURA, Okuji, (Director); KAJII, Takeshi (Director).

There have been three departments and nine sections under president, chief director and secretaries, but in the future there are to be only two sections, an executive section and accounting section.

Full Translation:

At the regular Cabinet meeting held on 21 January at the Premier's official residence, Mr. OGASAWARA, Minister of Commerce and Industry made a report on prices of Commodities, unemployment and other momentous problems. Following Mr. OGASAWARA, Mr. SOEJIMA, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, made an announcement on the current food situation. Minister SOEJIMA stressed that it is necessary for the Government to make an explanatory declaration on the compulsory measures for food control which are now under contemplation, for the sake of eliminating all the misunderstanding about this subject.

- 4 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

The members decided to submit to the regular Cabinet meeting on 22 January for deliberation a draft of the declaration, which would be published in the form of a talk by the Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Summary:

Importance of achieving a quick solution of problems of food shortages and inflation, in order to rid the country of economic difficulties, was stressed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Mr. OGASAWARA, Minister of Commerce and Industry, reportedly said that he is determined to give top priority to these two issues, even shelving other important programs. In view of this, the following steps will be taken: Since the retarding of industrial activities is mainly attributable to the coal shortage, the Ministry will encourage increased coal output by adopting a more scientific way of production. January will see the production of coal amounting to 1,000,000 metric tons; in February 1,200,000 tons will be produced, while, after April, coal production will reach around 1,500,000 metric tons. Fifty thousand metric tons of fertilizer, which is the desirable maximum in consideration of a scanty coal supply, will be distributed, by the end of March, among farmers who have fulfilled apportioned staple food quotas. Most of the coal output in excess of the program for January will be appropriated to the production of fertilizer. The production and export of textile goods and general merchandise, in an attempt to import foodstuffs, will be encouraged. The Trade Board itself may place an order when it deems the production of specific commodities are in urgent need. An institution in charge of collection of goods will be established as early as possible. The problem of a more plentiful supply of necessities will be studied. Stricter supervision will be enforced in production and distribution of staple goods in order to check further inflation.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

- 5 -