Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0202, 1946-01-25.

Summary:

In furtherance of democratization of the Japanese economy the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is reported to have drafted four bills: 1 Industrial Organization Law (SANGYO CHITSUJO HO); 2 Economic Union Law (KEIZAIKUMIAI HO); 3 Chamber of Commerce and Industry Law (SHOGYO KAIGISHO HO); and, 4 postwar Economic Temporary Readjustment Law (SENGO KEIZAI RINJI SOCHIHO). The last named bill being of a the most importance in remedying the current chaotic economic conditions, will be presented to the Diet for approval soon after the bill is drafted, and will be promulgated as an extraordinary Imperial ordinance or as that relating to the discharge of the POTSDAM Declaration. Industrial circles are reported to be entertaining the opinion that post-war economic disorder is attributable mainly to the state of economic anarchy which was brought about by complete elimination of central economic control a practical program for production will be of the utmost necessity in order to make the most use of the scanty supply of materials. The hoarding of considerable materials in a limited number of plants, which, in the case of steel, amounts to 215,000 metric tons, or materials collected by industrialists who take no action in the way of production until the wartime profit tax is settled, will best be distributed to the plants with the highest efficiency. A very limited few, the wealthy people, are being benefitted by plenty of goods sold at free market prices. That life's necessities at least, should be impartially distributed is the reason that the Ministry has taken steps to legalize the idea. Having learned by experience what bureaucracy is, the law will provide for the establishment of a post-war economic readjustment committee consisting of workers', consumers' and traders' unions which will be entrusted with the working [illegible]application of the law.

The Gist of the law is as follows:

• 1.Government will take following actions in order to put post-war economic chaos into order in order to maintain and encourage peace time industries, in order to stabilize and enhance the national standard of living or in order to revive healthy, economic recovery of the country.
• a.The Government will direct the distribution of imported goods, electric current, etc. which is likely to be short of industrial demand.
• b.Staple necessities for the nation's life which are short of demand will be distributed under Government control.

•   ECONOMIC SERIES: 202 (Continued) ITEM 1 (Continued)
• c.In order to facilitate the procedures mentioned above the Government will restrict or place control on production, distribution, or consumption of those materials mentioned. The Government also can direct possessors of those goods to dispose of them, indicating time limit, consignee and so forth. It also will direct, when it deems neccessary, the production of a certain amounts of specified goods at certain times or it will take action in checking the speculation on specified goods.
• d.The Government will decide maximum prices or the way to fix prices of specified goods.
• 2.The Government will, when it deems proper, direct exporters and importers or their organizations dealing with controlled goods, to take necessary steps in accordance with the control program. The functions of distribution, determination of maximum prices and so forth may be entrusted to a control association consisting of traders. The Government's approval, however, will be required for the decisions.
• 3.The function of control will be turned over to the Government when the organization violates the law or does something against public welfare. Traders' business will be suspended in similar cases.
• 4.Representatives from industrialists, workers consumers, advisers' organizations, exports and officials concerned, will form a post-war economic-readjustment committee. The committee may establish, under Imperial ordinance, a sub-committee of experts.
• 5.The law will be in force for two years after its promulgation.

Full Translation:

A multitude of National Railway workers assembled at HIBIYA Park on the afternoon of 22 January and held a meeting in the old Music Hall at 1300. They were assembled to make preliminary arrangements for the organization of one united labor union of workers and unions of workers of the National Railway. The forms Central Labor Union of the City Street Car System (SHOSEN CHUO RODO KUMIAI), that had developed a most effective movement and lead a resolute campaign to solve labor problems of importance, such as wage increase, etc., would now play a leading role in calling into existence the united union of workers of the National Railway, dissolving itself to revive as members of this union. 520 thousand workers of the National Railways.

The meeting was attended by about 4,000 representatives of various labor unions to be found in the area under the supervision of each of the eight Railway Bureaus (TETSUDO KYOKU) in the country. Mr. SAKAI, Jikichi, locomotive engineer of the NAGANO Engine Division (KIKAN KU), was elected to presidency. General plans to be declared and points to be demanded were decided. Further, the Organizers committee (KESSEI I-INKAI) of 39, chosen among the members of the Central Labor Union of the City Railway, and 73, representatives from other labor unions, was set up. Mr. SUZUKI, Katsuo, driver of the TAMACHI Electric Car Division (TAMACHI D[illegible]NSHA-KU), ex-chairman of the Executive Committee of the City Railway Labor Union (SHODEN RODO KUMIAI) was elected chairman.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 202 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

The Committee decided on the following items as calling for immediate settlement:

• 1.Annulling of differences between the metropolis and municipalities in bestowing bonus and allowances.
• 2.Rice ration of three or four go per day per capita.
• 3.Quintuple increase in monthly incomes including allowances.
• 4.Curtailing of working hours.

The first two items were referred to the arrangements' Committee (JUMBI I-INKAI), the last two items are to be included in the demand items. Then each committeeman expressed himself, followed by guests who made encouraging addresses, and just before closing the meeting the chairman made an urgent appeal for a demonstration march as far as the building of the Transportation Office to hear the answer promised on 19 January by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. MITSUCHI. He proposed starting the march at 1630.

Mr. SUZUKI, the chairman, and 30 other representatives met the Minister at his office, and presented the following demands:

• 1.Establishment of collective bargaining.
• 2.Expelling militaristic leaders as well as vicious evil-doers.
• 3.Bestowing funds for preventing starvation (1500 yen per capita, 500 yen per capita of a family).
• 4.Raise of retirement and other allowances by 10 times.
• 5.Five-fold increase in monthly incomes.
• 6.Establishing of minimums wages based on the cost of living.
• 7.Prompt relief of war-sufferers.
• 8.Instant dissolution of the Commodity Section (BUSSHIBU) of the Ministry of Transportation.
• 9.Participation in the personnel administration.
• 10.Bestowal of supervision rights to the Matual Benefit Society (KYOSAI KUMIAI).
• 11.Banishing of leaders of governmental labor unions.
• 12.Curtailing of business hours (female personnel also included).

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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