Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0009, 1945-11-14.

Full Translation:

An investigation by the Allied Forces has brought to light the fact that the house of General TOJO, which was the subject of gossip during the war, was a gift of the MITSUBISHIS. The rumor once spread that a certain person made a donation to the general stimulated by a desire to get a position as minister, or that he was appointed minister in return for his donation of a house and a certain sum of money.

Now we know the truth In addition to the house, the general was given an immense sum of money totalling no less than 10,000,000 yen, which confirms the rumor that Mr. GOKO was about to enter the TOJO cabinet.

The main cause for the downfall of political parties was that their members fell into dishonorable relations with large or small business men or with the great houses ZAIBATSU. The military and the bureaucrats made public disclosures of those matters so that they might secure themselves against political parties. But now everyone points out their depravity as higher than that of the old political parties. Some of the money the military and the bureaucrats received from ZAIBATSU and other war-profiteers was applied to the election of "candidates recommended by the authorities."

So it is clear that the "government manufactured members of parliament" were returned by dint of the letter's money and the former's authorities.

We may well say that more remarkable corruption existed among members of parliament than in the former political party days. We can easily comprehend the reason why the members of parliament, whose freedom of speech was guaranteed to the highest degree by the Constitution, made the Diet a mere rubber stamp, through their truckling to the military and the bureaucrats, These malpractices should not only be investigated by the Allied Forces, but also should be probed by the nation, and we must positively demand the general retirement of the military, bureaucrats and members of parliament in order to up root all the evils that threaten corruption of politic in the future.

Full Translation:

Return of civilians abroad, who have been separated from home even in communications, is quite as urgent as that of demobilized overseas soldiers. But owing to difficulties of transport, which is crowded at this time, such a move arrears out of the question. Fortunately, however, thanks to the sympathetic attitude of the Allied Nations, some measures to return them are being carried out. Some

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of them have already returned home, but most of them are still abroad threatened by hunger and cold.

Almost nothing is heard of these people's safety, nor of the safety of the military men who are overseas.

Although permission has been granted allowing them to communicate about returning home, there is still uneasiness about them.

Especially those in North KORBA, MANCHURIA, KARAFUTO are in a more serious condition. The Allied Occupation Forces, as a victorious army, have acted honorably. They have granted a hearing when it has been requested. So the safety of our countrymen in the occupation area of the Soviets need not be feared, trusting the Soviet's attitude and manners as a civilized nation.

Yet we cannot overlook the fact that though forty days have passed since the close of the war, there is no word from our soldiers in this area.

Moreover, the situation of people in this area is reported as not quite satisfactory, which makes us feel more uneasy. Has the government undertaken to devise some measures?

We heard the government has asked the Allied Headquarters to send Mr. KAMTYAMA, a councillor, abroad. This was rejected by the Soviets, and the government has not taken any positive stop, but is looking on with no sign of action. This is quite an incomprehensible fact to us, as sending an official is not the only measure the government should take.

Action is necessary for success in this matter, and after all earnestness and effort furnish the key to the solution of this problem.

ITEM 3 The Emperor's Example to Solve Food Problem - Tokyo Shimbun - 9 Nov 45 - Translator! M. Kato.

Full Translation:

There is no need of dwelling upon the food crisis our country faces now. It is eloquently proven by our own experience everyday and. the fact 300 tons of foodstuff from abroad is quite essentially needed to maintain the rations even with which the Japanese people are on the brink of starvation.

In return for that 300 tons foodstuff, the Japanese government should pay 2,000,000,000 yen in articles though we have no prospect of obtaining them.

In this connection, we have, heard, His Majesty, the Emperor, has graciously given masterpieces of fine art, together with jewelery which is in possession of the Imperial Family for that purpose. We are deeply moved by His Majesty's benevolence which has been shown on many occasions.

The government was reported to have decided to follow the Emperor's example and demand the rich families of monopolistic trusts and other wealthy men to present their precious belongings, which is a quite natural step.

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ITEM 3 (Continued)

Frankly speaking, the government has admitted the necessity of starting a national movement to solve this problem. The problem has become a political one, not merely a fact, and the government should demand the whole nation's co-operation. It should he according to ability to pay rather than limited to few wealthy people. The food problem is, of course, a national problem, therefore the good example of the Emperor will surely take much effect.

Full Translation:

Needless to say the labor problem after surrender is important from the economic, social and political viewpoint. During the war that official movement of the Patriotic Industrial Association (NIPPON SANGYO HOKOKUKAI) barely succeeded in maintaining the productive system through the formal tie-up of labor and capital. But that movement was readily frustrated with the liquidation of the Patriotic Industrial Association after the war because it jacked the support of laboring classes. And today, a new labor movement is starting. But as far as the labor problem and labor-capital problems are concerned, there has not yet emerged any ideology or doctrine which is really attractive to all the working classes and at the same time satisfies the capitalists.

The public discussions today concerning democracy and socialism are so ideal and so abstract that their doctrines or claims are too apt to concern only part of the interests of the working class. Doctrine or claims based upon part of the interests cannot gain general support. It is quite natural that any form of a labor movement in the future should be supported strongly by the whole nation including all the working classes.

For this purpose their principles or doctrine as well as their conduct should remove any self-complacency and be approved by the public. The opinion of the workers differ. In some phases their interest may be the same, while in other phases different or opposed because some workers are farmers, or industrial workers while others are engaged in commerce. The same applies to the producers and consumers. Accordingly it should be obvious that any principle or doctrine based on the group interests cannot be supported by the general public. The only common ground is that all working people are working for their livings. In other words the only common ground is the labor through which they contribute to society. In the solution of future labor problems and extention of the forthcoming labor movement the criterion for judgement should not be limited by the interests of a certain group of workers, but should be predicated on full understanding of labor. Otherwise the nation will not support a labor movement.

The clashing interests of producers and consumers, farmers and city-workers, can be removed if we consider labor as labor.

Surrender has forced our nation to shoulder heavy economic burdens not only at home but also abroad. Only through the nation's diligent labor can we win through the present difficult situation. We must uphold the rights of labor and at the same time respect other labor. We should not assert our rights and encroach upon the rights of others. The idle people are not entitled to the same rights as

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ITEM 4 (Continued)

the diligent. For example a movement to protect the farmers' interests should not menace the laboring people in cities. A strike of communication employees should not trouble other laboring classes.

As for the improvement the employees' positions, the general public would support us if we demand just reward for our labors. If there is no idea as to value labor, any unemployment measure might be nothing more than mere relief which has no positive meaning. In the future the labor problem and the labor movement will become more important from the economic, social and political standpoints.

Full Translation:

As is the case with the World War I many difficulties occur in transference of war-time industries to peace-time organizations. The UNITED STATES is victorious in the war and in addition, was little damaged by the war. Even she cannot be free from the labor unrest which is inevitable in the post-war period.

In the American industrial world, large-scale strikes occur in succession. These cannot be idly neglected. The national conference between capital and labor called by the President TRUMAEN aims certainly at the solution of the labor unrest and the maintenance of peace in the industrial conversion which now must be begun.

This conference, as its name shows, is composed of the most prominent men in American industry and the chief labor delegates. It is en attempt to harmonize labor and capital and to make it constructive. The labor organizations in AMERICA have been given the legal right to bargain by the New Deal policy of the late President ROOSEVELT. The conference now being held gives the chance to exercise the bargaining right of the labor organizations more effectually and widely than ever before.

We cannot prejudge the process which the conference will take or the conclusions which it will reach. But the fact that AMERICA, who is the victor end who still has large material resources and enormous productive power, is concentrating on the problem of harmonizing capital and labor and on the conversion of industries, gives positive and constructive meaning to the old proverb. "Don't be elated by success".

In AMERICA, at least, right to bargain as possessed by the labor organizations is not misused as strategic measure. It strives to cooperate with the harmonizing and constructive work only.

Public opinion in AMERICA regards this conference as "unprecedented". This opinion is suggested to those who observe the methods of American post-war management.

In JAPAN, which is a defeated country, the labor movement rises again. The labor movement in JAPAN, which developed to some extent in former times, was forced to disappear along with other liberal movements, after the Manchurian Incident. But the labor movement, or strictly speaking, the formation of the trade-union and its proper development, as we have stated in this editorial some days ago, will

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be the element indispensable to reconstruction of New JAPAN. The government also is preparing for trade-union legislation end General MACARTHUR's Headquarters, as we know issued a directive to endow the trade-union with bargaining rights.

To summarize, in our country too, a policy which aims to protect the interests and to promote the happiness of the laboring class is now being sought both by the government and the people. Therefore, it is natural that the movement toward the formation of the trade-unions became active everywhere in the country. Similarly, the movement towards the national federation of labor also became active.

It is now common principle throughout the world that, the formation of the trade-union is one of the devices which will stabilize the life of the laborer and promote his happiness in a country based on a capitalistic economy.

The aims of the formation, activity and development of the trade-union are purely constructive, not destructive. The strike is the last resort and might be compared to military measures as used by state. The idea, of the trade-union is to exercise its bargaining power strongly and rightly. As the result of a defeat, from now, 78 million people must live in a small area with poor resources. So it must be emphasized that the only principle of action in all directions should be based on the co-operation of people, and [illegible]that of labor and capitals. Formally the government tried to protect the interest of capitalists under the name of harmony. Now harmonization of labor and capital is based on detailed investigation and upon that which will be to the advantage of the whole country. It is the type of co-operation which the people eagerly desire.

Such ideal co-operation can not be requested only of the trade-unions. The capitalists must act in concert with the unions, with constant consideration and good management. With such an object, the national conference of labor and capital was called by President TRUMAN, we presume.

As for JAPAN, where the people are in such a miserable condition that they have to solve the food question first of all, the labor policy of AMTRICA, as the victor and as a democratic country, must be studied.

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