Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0266, 1946-02-06.

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

Date6 February, 1946

translation numbereconomic-1162

call numberDS801 .S81

Persistent Identifier
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER SECTION
PRESS TRANSLATIONS
No. 1162 Date: 6 Feb 46.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 266

ITEM 1 Gravity of "Labor Offensives" and the Movements of the Financial Circle Commentary - Asahi Shimbun - 4 Feb 46. Translator: T. Okanura.

Summary:
Apprehensive expressions can be noted every time directives from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers are issued concerning war criminal suspects, the disorganization of the ZAIBATSU, and the discharging from public service of militaristic elements. On the other hand, the labor offensive is now being vigorously advanced against capitalists as manifested in frequent labor disputes and accusations of sabotage of production by capitalists. Financial circles, amid such a chaotic situation, seem to be quiet, even though they are moving rather actively beneath the surface. Here we will discuss what the financial world thinks about, and how it is moving.
1. Activities of the Joint Committee of the Economic Groups (KEIZAI DANTAI REMGO IINKAI): This committee was established last September by the former Commerce and Industry Minister NAKAJIMA, when he requested the presidents of four economic groups to furnish information to meet the situation created after the end of the war. This committee aimed at unifying the opinions of economic circles. Taking part in it, last November, was the All JAPAN Bank Association (ZE[illegible]KOKU GINKO KYOKAI). The committee is also trying to get trading and agricultural groups to participate.
The committee aims to be the unique supreme organization which conducts self-assertive activities in the financial world. The fact that the committee is persuading the agricultural group to join the committee shows how it desires joint activities and leadership in all lines of industries in JAPAN. The committee also aims to be an organization which conducts the readjustment or unification of opposing relationship among different industries. The committee also has as its objectives the unification of the opinions of various circles concerning vital problem[illegible]connected with the transaction of the economy of JAPAN, assistance to the Government by furnishing necessary information, and conducting of liaison activities with SCAP when necessary.
The leadership of the committee is held either by the Economic Federation (KEIZAI PE[illegible]MEI) or the big capitalists. The appointment of 44 committee members was made solely by the ex-president of the Federation IZAKA, and the chairmanship of the Committee is held by the president of said federation. Among the committee members are GOKO, Kiyoshi and Vice-Admiral GODO, Takuo, war criminal suspects, and others who are to be fired from public service in accordance with the SCAP directive on 4 January. The present chairman of the committee, MATSUMOTO, Kenjir[illegible]is also expected to be included in the directive. The practical activities of the Committee are being undertaken by the unifying sub-committ classified industrial sub-committees of iron and steel, chemical, textil shipping and provisions Industries, and the Liquidation Postponement Measure sub-committee (KESSAN ENKI TAISAKU IINKAI) and the Enterprise Re-operation Measure sub-committee (KIGYO SAIKAI TAISAKU IINKAI), both of which were specially established as the new problems arose and the Liaison Sub-Committee.
ECONOMIC SERIES: 266 (Continued)
ITEM 1 (Continued)
2. Process of the establishment of new unified economic group: The original plan for establishing a new group was drawn by the Major Indust[illegible]Federation (JUYO SANGYO KYOKAI), which was approved by the Joint Committ of the Economic Group at the end of last year. The plan is to establish a new unified group which places under its jurisdiction the classified industrial group, classified economic group such as the All JAPAN Bank Federation, and vital economic groups such as the JAPAN Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Association of the Commercial and Industrial Unions (SHOKO KUMIAI CHUOKAI). In other words, the new organization aim to unify formally the former associations established on the past industrial structure. The most difficult problem in the unification of such organizations is the disposal of the economic Federation and the Major Industry Federation.
It is wondered whether or not the Economic Federation will assume lender ship after it is amalgamated with the new unified group, or whether it should exist separately from the new group; and whether or not the Major Industry Federation should be amalgamated with the new group, or if it should exist as an intermediate organization ranking between the new group and the Classified Industrial Group.
However, on 4 January the SCAP directive ordering the dismissal from public service of those connected with the responsibility of the war was issued. As a result, it has become imperative for Mr. MATSUMOTO, who held the post of president of both federations, to resign. Opinions demanding the earliest and strictest scrutiny of both federations, taking advantage of this occasion, have been expressed. These opinions are, in short, directed at the breaking up of the two organizations. Being stimulated by this movement, an organizing committee was establish in the joint committee of the Economic Group, which held its meeting in mid-January. It was decided at the meeting that the major Industry Federation will be reorganized and called, tentatively, the Federation of Industrialists (KOGYOKA RE[illegible]MEI). As to the disposal of the Economic Federation, the matter has not yet been decided upon, but it is generall believed that it will be amalgamated into the new Unified Economic Group 3, Tendency of the Middle Class in the financial world: The movements of the middle class in the financial world are not so petit[illegible]e, but preparatory committee meetings were held once or twice with Messrs. HOTARI and GOTSUK[illegible]of the Major Industry Federation as leading members. It is understood that the establishment of a club of middle class managemente exports is being planned. This movement is significant as a most progressive one in financial circles.
Judging from the above movements in financial circles, symptoms of democratization by the separation of capital and management are witnesse However, the upper class of said group maintains superiority by large capitalization to maintain stability in the financial circle, and is making every effort for preparatory activities for the realization of economic stability in line with the above ideals.

ITEM 2 Unworking Gold Mines In Kinki District Will Be Investigated - Sangyo Keizai - 5 Feb 46. Translator: S. Iwata.

Full Translation:
The Deportment of Mines of the KINKI District Commercial and Industrial Bureau (KINKI CHIHO SHOKO KYOKU KOZANBU) marked out the leading; gold mines for immediate resumption of work. They are the TAKENO, TOMISHU, ASAHI, MINEYAMA, NAKASE, TAJIMA and HEISENJI mines which have been producing silicates.
The following gold mines which are not working are to be investigated: TAKEO, OHIGASHI, ISOE, KURATOKO, OTACHI, IWAKI, NYOKOSANPOU, MITSUBISHI SANPOU, ASE, YATSUSA, ITOI, TOKOO, TAJIMA UMASHIRO, YOFU, OKUYAMA, ASAHI IKUNO, YAMAGUCHI, YOKO and SOKI ARATANI.
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ECONOMIC SERIES: 266 (Continued)

ITEM 3 Council of Major Industries to be Disbanded, and Industrial Federation will be Established. - Sangyo-Keizai - 5 Feb 46. Translator: T. Okamur

Full Translation:
Stimulated by fre[illegible]uent reorganization into independent units and by the dissolution of various controlling organizations, the Council of Major Industries (JUYO SANGYO KYOGIKAI) will be disorganized to meet the new situation.
The council which has been deliberating as to reorganization, came to the conclusion that it would be proper to disorganize in order to make a fresh start along democratic lines. In accordance with this decision, it is understood that the present directors as well as councilors will resign from their posts, while a few who are essential to conduct the liquidation will be left tentatively.
After the disorganization, an organization tentatively called Industrial Federation (KOGYO REMMEI) will be established on an entirely new basis. The new organization will complete its organizing preparations within February. It is understood that it will collaborate with other leading economic organizations to be formed, hereafter.

ITEM 4 Government's Unemployment Measures Drawn Up to Relieve 3.6 Million Unemployed - Mainichi Shimbun - 5 Feb 46. Translator: T. Okamura.

Full Translation:
It has been learned that the Government [illegible]ol[illegible]ns to give relief to the 3,616,746 unemployed at a total expenditure of 3,877,136,765 yen. These unemployed include 2,702,720 laborers, 444,026 skilled workers, and 500,000 others, - the latter mostly women - who require relief to lead their daily lives.
The Government, which has been planning Pleasures for the relief of the unemployed, who have been increasing rapidly since the end of the wa[illegible]has drawn up plans, and ordered the ministries concerned to make up [illegible]concrete program for the project on the following fundamental policies:
  • (1).In order to establish an ideal for life by labor, the Government plans to conduct publicity activities so that the people may take up sound occupations.
  • (2).The Government, in order to establish a democratic, harmonious culture, is vigorously conducting research and investigation as of political, economic and social affairs, as well as social education. For the realization of this plan, (a) the new JAPAN Cultural Investigat[illegible]Association (tentative name, SKIN NIPPON BUNKA CHOSAKAI), which will be en entirely civilian organization, will be established; (b) governmental and civilian research and investigation organizations will be readjusted (c) the Government will foster the readjustment of cultural equipment an accommodations in rural districts, and (d) the school educational system will be enforced.
  • (3).Civil engineering works will be vigorously launched. For this plan (a) drastic readjustment of war stricken districts, (b) promotion of river and road improvements and civil engineering enterprises, (c) fostering of residential and other building enterprises, and (c) enforcement of civil engineering enterprises connected with agriculture and forestry are in the program.
  • (4).The system and structure of daily facilities will be readjusted. For the mat[illegible]rialization of which (a) readjustment of the distribution system of vital foods, (b) readjustment of newspaper distribution system and (d) readjustment of communications systems are to be undertaken. - 3 -
  •   ECONOMIC SERIES: 266 (Continued) ITEM 4 (Continued)
  • (5).The Government plans to increase the number of employees who handle revenue affairs and work in city town or village offices, es[illegible] [illegible]lly the who are engaged in statistical investigations.
  • (6).The labor ser[illegible]ice in coal production, textile and vehicle manufacturing industries, transportation enterprises, and other civilian industries will he reinforced.
  • (7).In order to relieve unemployed, intellectuals, large cities or towns will conduct emergency relief enterprises.
  • (8).Prompt realization of the return to agricultural life by the unemployed, and mountain and forestry development enterprises, will be under taken.
  • (9).A large scale readjustment of employment offices (JUSANJO) for women will be enforced.

ITEM 5 Spring Herring in Hokkaido - Nippon Sangyo Keizai - 5 Feb 46. Translator: T. Kitagawa.

Summary:
The goal of the haul of spring herring is set at 570,000 koku by the HOKKAIDO Government and agencies concerned. Their program covers seven items - hauling, disposition, distribution, transportation, labor, material and refrigeration. They put much stress on the program in consideration of present food shortage and the loss of SAGHALIEN.
Herring is reported to have increased to such on extent because of the fishermen's inactivity on account of lack of fishing implements, that th policy of breeding then has become practically unnecessary. The Government will extend the fishing season for herring. It also is encouraging the utilization of all hoarded mat[illegible]rials to effect a large haul. Regulations for fishing implements and for forbidden areas which aim at checking reckless fishing will be eased this year. It is reported, also that measures will be taken to facilitate processing of the fish, and for marine and land transportation.
However, there are obstacles in attaining the goal, such as the food shortage and the difficulty in transportation due to the lack of coal. Salt supply too, which is indispensable for the preservation of spring herring, does not allow an optimistic view. The Salt Monopoly Office is reported to have asked the Government for 5,480 tons of salt to be rationed.
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