Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0236, 1946-01-30.

Author Supreme Commander for The Allied Powers. Allied Translator and Interpreter Section.

Date30 January, 1946

translation numbereconomic-1033

call numberDS801 .S81

Persistent Identifier
GENEARAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER SECTION
PRESS TRANSLATIONS
No. 1033 Date: 30 Jan 46

ECONOMIC SERIES: 236

ITEM 1 Gold and Silver Prices Raised - Gold 63.75 Yen Per Momme - The Sangyo Keizai (Tokyo) - 29 Jan 46. Translator: T. Ukai.

Full Translation:
Being permitted by SCAP to raise prices of gold and silver, the Government revealed two discourses by both the Finance and Industry Offices on 28 January. According to them, the purchasing prices of gold and silver will be raised as from 20 January. Gold will be 17 yen per gram (current price 5.85 yen); ingot silver will be 310 yen per metric ton (current price 46.80 yen); melted down silver will be 140 yen per metric ton (current price 46.80 yen). At the same time subsidies paid to mine industrialists to supplement purchasing prices since 1941, in accordance with the provisions of the Purchasing Rules of Increased Products of Gold (ZOSAN KIN KAIACE KISOKU) will not be paid hereafter.
Converted into Kan prices will be gold: 63.75 yen per Momme, silver: 17.55 sen per Momme. Difference in prices between ingot silver and melted down silver is made with the object of preventing the melting of silver coins. For example, the price of a silver coin 50 sen, when melted will be 49.9 sen. The silver output in 1945 was four metric tons and 800 grams, the minimum cost of production being 13.38 yen (sic) and the maximum 22.50 yen (sic) in the latter half-year of 1945.
It will be expected that the production of silver by superior mine industries will be increased.

ITEM 2 Investigation of Wheat Planting Conducted by the Nippon Sangyo-Keizai Part 2 - Nippon Sangyo Keizai - 29 Jan 46. Translator: T. Okamura.

Summary:
HOKURIKU District: -Only 60 per cent of the assigned plantation area of 21,023 chobu was actually planted in NIIGATA Ken, this year. Being obstructed by various unfavorable elements including many snow falls, this prefecture has not been active about wheat production so far. However, the actual plantation percentage illustrates a conspicuous increase over average years. The sowing was ten days or two weeks behind that of the preceding year, which weakens the resisting power of wheat against snow damage. Chemical fertilizer is limited and is being replenished by homemade fertilizer of 100 to 150 Kan per ton. No snow, frost or insect damage has been reported so far. However, the low price of wheat, tie increase of assigned production, and antipathy toward the upper classes harbored by farmers, are expected to hinder production.
In TOYAMA Ken, the actual plantation area was 20,000 chobu, which is twice the area of last year. Since the prefecture had too much rainfall between October and November last year, the budding was bad, and growth has not been satisfactory since then. The snowfall this
ECONOMIC SERIES: 236 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
year is 1.5 feet in depth in comparison with 4.6 feet last year. The production depends upon future growing conditions.
TOZAN District:-YAMANASHI Ken saw an increase in the plantation area this year of 2,700 chobu over last year. The planting of over 23,863 chobu was completed by 20 December 1945. Growth is not satisfactory, though there is good weather. Though neither insect, snow nor frost damage as been reported so far, the recent low temperature and short supply of chemical fertilizer prevent optimistic forecasts.
NAGANO Ken plans to increase wheat production by 500,000 to 600,000 koku, by enlarging the planting area to 4,000 chobu more than last year. The assigned plantation area measures 44,012 chobu. The sowing was delayed somewhat, but being favored with moderate rainfall, coupled by little snowfall, the harvest will be average, if the present condition prevails.
In 98 percent of the assigned area planting was completed in GIFU Ken, where the area measures 36,000 chobu. The sowing was finished five or six days earlier than scheduled due to fine weather. The supply of chemical fertilizer is short, and only 60 per cent of the assigned amount has arrived. It is consequently believed that it may be difficult to produce 480,000 koku as scheduled.
TOKAI District:-Anticipating a shortage of chemical fertilizer, SHIZUOKA Ken did its sowing in mid-November, the best time for wheat planting. The increase in the planted area of 2,000 chobu over the previous year, which was 46,000 chobu, indicated how earnest the farmers are in wheat cultivation. Fertilizaer is being supplied in only half the assigned quantity, while several villages are reported to have been supplied with no fertilizer at all. It is expected, however, that production will attain the yearly average.
It is reported that in 65,000 chobu out of the total assigned are of 72,430 chobu planting has so far been completed in AICHI Ken, and that planting in all the assigned areas will be completed this year by the end of Feburary, the latest possible date in this region. The prefecture is being favored with an ample labor supply and the enthusiasm for production of the agrarian class is high. The supply of chemical fertilizer is 80 per cent of the assigned amount of one kan per ton. The shortage is being supplemented by human excrement and other homemade fertilizers. Because of ample labor, favorable weather and lack of insect damage, the production depends only upon future supplies of fertilizer.
As a result of competent direction, MIYE Ken succeeded in completing 98 per cent of the assigned planting area of 37,000 chobu. Growth, however, is not making steady progress, due to the shortage of fertilizer. Since the farmers' enthusiasm for production is high, and an ample labor supply is available, the increase of production will be possible for this prefecture.
KYUSHU District:-In major parts of KYUSHU District the planting was finished and growth showed satisfactory progress during the early period. However, the shortage of fertilizer is reported to have been preventing growth in some regions. There is absolutely no supply of chemical fertilizer in KYUSHU. At the news of the enactment of a system linking the output of rice and supply of fertilizer for their crops in the months of January and February. Though labor is sufficient with the return of servicemen, peasants are suffering from a serious shortage of fertilizer.
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 236 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
They are waiting for outcome of movements to collect essential supplies, made by the agricultural associations. The success or failure of wheat production depends upon the future supply of fertilizer, which must be delivered to individual farmers in the season of fertilization.
SHIKOKU District:-Almost all assigned areas completed planting during December, and each prefecture shows an increase in the plantation area, reflecting the enthusiasm of farmers. Though chemical fertilizer is being supplied in only 20 per cent of the quantity of last year, homemade fertilizer is produced in satisfactory amounts. Labor is ample, but essential supplies are limited. Growth is steady, and no insect damage has been reported. It is anticipated that wheat production in the island for the current year will be around 80 per cent of that of normal years.
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