Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0266, 1946-02-06.
Date6 February, 1946
translation numbereconomic-1162
call numberDS801 .S81
Persistent Identifier
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.
- 2 -
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.
DISTRIBUTION "X"
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