Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0196, 1946-01-23.

Full Translation:

A meeting to discuss countermeasures against stallkeeper was held under the auspices of TOKYO Commercial and Industrial Finance Association (TOKYO TO SHOKO KEIZAI KAI) on 21 January. It was attended by the authorities of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Metropolitan Police Office, the Metropolitan Office and fifteen representatives of the stallkeepers. The authorities concerned, after making a report on the actual condition of stallkeepers, declared that a tax will be imposed upon them from 23 January. It was stated also that there are about 20,000 stallkeepers, and the amount of tax raised from them will be 50,000 yen daily. Furthermore, they came to the agreement that the price of the fiber manufactures, which has been allowed to be sold freely by stallkeepers, will come under strict control. The present condition of the stallkeepers in TOKYO is as follows:

• 1. Number of Stallkeepers: The number of the stallkeepers who have joined the Co-Workers Union (DOGYO KUMIAI) was about 55,000 on 8 January. Of that number, the real stallkeepers comprise 30 per cent, the war sufferers about 30 per cent, and the rest are unemployed. The average daily number of dealers is 17,000, and the absence of the rest is due to the fact that they must leave periodically to purchase additional merchandise. Their number on 20 January, compared with that of 18 December shows a 40 per cent decrease.
• 2. Process of Securing Commodities: There are several channels through which the commodities are obtained, namely, contracts between co-workers, direct purchase from the bosses, or through brokers. Otherwise purchases are made directly from farmers. The so-called bosses of the stallkeepers have connections throughout the country and the stallkeepers' methods of securing goods are far ahead of the ordinary shopkeepers.
• 3. Profits: According to the survey made on 20 February, their profits are between 20 and 30 per cent. It is less than what people think. For instance, a pair of rubber boots are bought at 400 yen, and sold at 430 yen. The daily sales are from two to three pairs, so in this case the profit is 50 per cent (TN: Sic). Hitherto controls were put upon staple food and manufactures only, but strict supervision over other articles under control will be carried out. Special Stallkeeper Supervising Regulations will be issued in the near future. The first period of stallkeeper administration, was in promoting the circulation of the daily necessities, and now we have entered the second period in which the control of prices is necessary. The third period will be that of readjustment.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 196 (Continued)

Summary:

Coal production last December was 830,000 tons. It exceeded greatly the expected amount. Based upon this fact a directive from Allied Headquarters was issued ordering the revision of the goal in coal production. The Allied authorities had made a survey covering two areas of both HOKKAIDO and KYUSHU. As a result they found that the equipment now in the mines has not been utilized to its full capacity. Here again we see evidences of the inefficiency of the present government. The Allied Headquarters ordered the Government to submit by 26 February concrete plans for the increase of rations for coal laborers and their families and a raise in the wages of the workers. Also a report concerning the date of the fulfillment of this project was required. Meanswhile, government authorities are planning to reduce consumption to cope with the current decrease in coal production. This is evidence that the present government has no positive plan of reconstruction. In view of this fact the directive of the Allied Forces will act as a great stimulus to the government authorities.

Full Translation:

The HOKKAIDO Federation of Coal Mining Labor Unions (HOKKAIDO TANKO RODO KUMIAI-RENGOKAI) has already acquired 33 labor unions as members including 45,000 miners. Since the end of last year, they have continued their resolute activities with overwhelming vigor against the capitalists through the disputes at the MIUTA, SUNAGAWA and MIHARI coal mines in HOKKAIDO.

To counteract this, the capitalists recently organized the Coal Mining Federation (SEKITANKOGYO RENMEI), and with this strengthened system, are attacking the stand of the workers. Moreover, these capitalists intend to take steps to destroy the activities of the independent labor unions by organizing company unions and by obtaining the co-operation of former government officials who were ousted from their positions by a SCAP order issued on 4 January.

Taking this into consideration the Coal Miners' Labor Union (TANKO RODO-KUMIAI) held a Committee Meeting in SAPPORO on 21 January and by a resolution approved by 27 representatives of the unions, it was decided that henceforth, the present labor unions shall be reorganized into a unified body and with this, all the powers of the coal miners throughout the country will be firmly combined in an offensive against all the coal mine owners. It was also decided that for these steps, co-operation of all the unions throughout the country is necessary.

Summary:

The note issue of the Bank of JAPAN at mid-January has exceeded its high record at the year-end. Needless to say, this proves the aggravation of vicious inflation, and, in its course, no active operation has been made by the financial agencies. They have raised money merely on bonds as security to meet market demands. The viewpoints of the financial agencies are: (1) The current need of funds is confined to conservative uses; (2) the consolidation of the Government loan in the amount of more than 30 billion yen is uncertain; (3) productive funds are required for fertilizer and coal industries, but can be no wholesome confidence in the Government subsidies.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 196 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

Resorting to such measures alone, however, means the stoppage of all financial functions, and it has now reached an extreme point because of the lack of securities. It has, therefore, been discussed in all quarters, that the interest policy should be revised so as to recover functions of the financial agencies. A draft of a plan for a Financial Rehabilitation Company (FUKKO KINYU KAISHA) is to be adopted by the Government in order to carry out scheduled loans. Thus, the new formation of the financial agencies has been gaining ground even in conservative financial circles.

Full Translation:

In consideration of aggravated labor troubles all over the country, caused by the sharp upturn of living costs, the heads of the Prefectural Labor Division will have a two-day conference on Friday and Saturday, in the conference room of the Ministry, to discuss the application of the Labor Union Law. They will have talks on how to enforce detailed regulations for the working of the law, how to arbitrate strikes, how to fix reasonable wages and how to protect the workers' welfare.

Summary:

The reformed Agrarian Law will be put into effect on 1 February. We, however, cannot help wondering whether or not the democratization of farm villages, which is the aim of the law, will materialize, because farmers are very slow in adopting themselves to the trend of the times.

In response to this, the Agricultural and Fishing Villages Association (NOSAN GYOSON BUNKA KYOKAI) has decided to set up peasant clubs in the villages under the motto of "A New JAPAN from Farming Villages.'' as one of next year's plans.

The setup of peasant clubs will contribute much to the democratization of farming villages, which have now grown prosperous. The Association taking advantage of this opportunity, is making plans to raise the farmers' educational level. Each club will have a club-house equipped with cultural and amusement facilities. By these means, the feudal remnants, which have their roots in the villages, will be wiped cut, and agricultural JAPAN will be remodeled. Such a movement as this is desirable because it has direct bearing on the reformed Agrarian Law.

Full Translation:

Immediate action must be taken for some 3,500,000 unemployed who are at the mercy of the surging wave of inflation.

Reality, however, tells us the strange story that there are a smaller number of applicants for work than would be expected in view of the situation. These applicants are classified as follows: Workers released from forced labor hold the lead, followed by demobilized soldiers, former military employees, and air raid sufferers, in that order.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 196 (Continued)

ITEM 7 (Continued)

The vast majority of them have a desire to take any work or odd jobs, mainly because they are unwilling to prefer perpetual service in view of the social unrest. Industrial labor, though respected during the war, is now boycotted.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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