Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0269, 1946-02-07.

Full Translation:

Automobile production has not attained the monthly 1,500 permitted by SCAP owing to the shortage of construction parts and other equipment.

January production was 450 automobiles including 210 manufactured by the TOYOTA Automobile Company, 175 manufactured by JAPAN Industry Company and 30 manufactured by the Diesel Automobile Company.

February production is estimated at 600 automobiles as only three companies are in actual operation. Meanwhile March production is estimated at 1,000 automobiles as production in the scattered factories of each district is expected to resume normal operations

Summary:

Protesting against the issuance of the four Ministers' joint statement which is designed to supress illegal activities in labor disputes, 200 strikers at the TSURUMI Iron-Plant, JAPAN Steel Pipe Company (NIPPON KO KAN KAISHA, TSURUMI SEITETSU SHO) led by HAYASHI, head of the dispute committee, visited Home Minister MITSUCHI at the Ministry office on 4 February. But as the Home Minister was out, they met with Vice-minister, OMURA. After discussing with him the details of the joint statement by the four Ministers issued on 1 February, a large force of them went to the Prime Minister's official residence and presented a protest statement.

The action was caused by the feeling among the public that the recent joint statement resulted from the dispute at the TSURUMI Iron-Plant. However, Vice-minister, OMURA tried to explain that he had had no foundation for charging illegal actions such as violence, coercion and infringement of the right of ownership in the labor disputes which have taken place at that Company. OMURA also declared that the recent statement was entirely due to the recent situation at home. Nevertheless, the strikers have lodged a protest with him, urging that the joint statement issued on 1 February be rescinded immediately.

Summary:

Production of collateral goods for food importation as well as that of civilian goods has not as yet been given a definite course though,

ECONOMIC SERIES: 269 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

it is more than five months since the war ended. Difficulty in acquiring materials at reasonable prices is the main reason. On the other hand, many medium and small sized factories have been unable to resume operation independently as their parent factories suffered war damages. In view of these facts, the TOKYO metropolitan authorities have decided on a plan to subsidize such factories within a limit of 5,000,000 yen.

The plan which will shortly be submitted to the Metropolitan Assembly is outlined as follows: 1) 40,000 yen to each of the 40 factories handling metal processing, totaling 1,600,000 yen. 2) 40,000 yen to each of the 10 factories manufacturing nails and wire totaling 400,000 yen, 3) 30,000 yen to each of the 30 chemical factories, totaling 900,000 yen. 4) 30,000 yen to each of the 30 factories manufacturing electric machinery and instruments, totaling 900,000 yen. 5) 20,000 yen to each of the 60 factories manufacturing watches and clocks, medical instruments, agricultural implements, carpenter's tools, etc, totaling 1,200,000 yen.

A majority of the minor factories, harassed about means of obtaining funds for their reconstruction, are asking for payment of blocked deposits of war insurance. At present, in TOKYO, petitions involving about 99,830,000 yen have been filed by 1,482 persons, in OSAKA, about 38,000,000 yen by 550 persons, and in NAGOYA, about 25,800,000 yen by 312 persons. Based upon these figures, it is expected that these minor factories will possibly be reconstructed with funds averaging about 70,000 yen each. A new commission consisting of 50 experts both civilian and official, will be established for the management of the subsidy.

In addition to the above, subsidies a limit of about 250,000 yen will be granted to reconverting factories for trial manufactures through 50 associations of manufacturers which are to be organized for this purpose. One third of half of the industrial materials manufactured by the subsidized factories should be placed under the management of the metropolitan authorities. The balance should be disposed of at the maker's option. Those under control of the metropolitan authorities are to be exchanged with the products of factories other than the subsidized. By so doing the authorities aim not only to prevent the limited supply of materials from being wasted, but also to utilize them to the best possible advantage.

Full Transition:

Taking into consideration the recent tendency of raw silk production to decrease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in consultation with the Government departments concerned, is preparing measures to remedy this, such as, the securing of coal for raw silk factories, increasing distribution of food to laborers, and an increase in the supply of essential materials for repair and construction. Last autumn, in response to the request from SCAP, the Ministry made a report estimating that the raw silk available as collateral would be 160,000 bales by the end of 1946. Since then, however, the production of raw silk has been largely affected by such factors as the increase in coal prices, firewood, food, etc. Furthermore, as the supply of coal to raw silk factories has been stopped since October, last year, the producers are facing great difficulties. If this situation continues, most of the factories will have to stop operation before March at the latest. In order to overcome this crisis, raw silk producers wanted remedial measures to be taken by the Government. The Ministry, in view of the importance of the production of raw silk, decided to take urgent steps to secure a supply of coal and an increased distribution of food for laborers and other necessary steps.

- 2 -

ECONOMIC SERIES: 269 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

The revised price of siok cocoons will be decided about March and will be approximately 500 to 600 kake, (N.B. Number kake equals number of momme per 1000 yen.) The Ministry authorities have been considering a revision in the price of silk cocoons, and the new price seemed to be settled at approximately 450 kake. However, since a new series of commodity prices will be established soon involving an increase in the price of rice, which forms the foundation for prices, the fixing of the price of silk coooons seems to be delayed to March. The price of rice is expected to be increased from 150 yen per koku to 300 yen which is the producer's price. Accordingly, the price of silk cocoons will be about 500 to 600 kake in the future.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 3 -