Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0055, 1945-12-05.

Full Translation

The list of Japanese War criminals prepared by the Chinese authorities has been presented to General Headquarters and according to reports will seen be once public. It is said that the list includes only about 10 names and is drastically limited in contrast to the rumors that it would contain more than 300 names including that of the Emperor.

This is understood the endorse the speech broadcast by Generalissimo CHIANG KAI-SHEK Saying that "CHINA" will meet violence with rightousness."

We are shown vividly the characteristic statemanship of the Commander-in-chief of the Chinese Army CHANG in the incident in which he killed one of his trusted Generals, accusing him of wanton destruction at the time of encounter between the Japanese and Chinese armies around CHANGSHA.

Nevertheless, it would be a big mistake to think that the number of criminals in the war against CHINA will not exceed more than a dozen or so. For example, our diplomatic policy which kept a certain Ambassador in office until the end of the war although the world no longer trusted him, should be examined carefully.

The policy of American diplomacy toward CHINA shown by the appointment of General GEORGE C. MARSHALL as special United States envoy to CHINA following the resignation of Ambassador to CHINA Major General PATRICK HURLEY gives us a good lesson.

As was expected, the Diet is bound to be dragged into difficulties centering around the problem of War responsibility. At the present time, when we lack coal for tomorrow and have no hope of obtaining food for the coming spring, the authorities are too ignorant to take into account the newely sharpened minds of the public.

Full Translation:

It is now three month since the war ended. During this period vary individual and social function has been in ruihous condition because of rapid changes. The subversive spirit, and the do-nothing spirit hove spread everywhere. Only the food and the

EDITORIAL SERIES: 55 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

inflation problems have ruled our minds. What then shall we do? What can we do? Nobody has strong confidence in any suggestion. Neither the coal shortage policy, the ineffienency in the establishment of housing, the prime Minister's speech on Cabinet policy, nor the heated dispute in the present Diet session can satisfy our desires. It is regrettable that we can not find anywhere a solution that meets our approval.

When we investigate the cause of such a condition to understand that after all, doing things by halfs is a major cause of our dissatisfaction; and it is because of persons in authority who cannot abolish old indeas, that we are obliged to leave things half-done. In other words, it is not the fact that polity, economy, and administration, have no close relation with our people, but the fact that our are not rulers over these factors that cause us[illegible]to leave things half done.

When the control of vegetables and fish was left to individuals who cling to the old Ideas a great deal of fish disappeared from food markets. Subsequently, prices temporarily rose considerably, but now the market has been inclined to settle down gradually. This above mentioned fact shows how mistaken the old ideas of control are. Even though our defeated country can not make any new plan without the permission of the AILIED POWERS, by doing nothing, no policy will be allowed. At the same time, any unfounded policy invites early distrust by our people.

It is our nationality that we should protect at any cost. Since a reformation of our nationality is necessary for the reconstruction of a new JAPAN to leave it alone in the amorphous state is to harbor no good for the future. If a move is made to restore the old ideas, that will be the greatest cause for leaving everything alone in an unshaped form. We do not always destroy what has been build, Unwillingly however, we will not allow the reconstruction of a new JAPAN to be imperfect and only half-done. Nobody can say that from this point of view, the present Cabinet has the will to accomplish this great duty.

Proposals on the war profits tax and the property tax also demonstrate the possibility of their being left only half done by the present cabinet. However, the Government must understand that the critical eye of our people will not leave things half-done. It is the people themselves who must establish such good habits that nothing can be left half-done. It is the people themselves who must establish such good habits that nothing can be left half-done. From that point of view, the reconstruction of a democratic JAPAN can begin.

Full Translation:

The speeches by the representatives of the parties in this Extraordinary Diet Session have come to an end. But the speeches have not made clear the viewpoints of the parties. What is the reason? Frankly, we expected that each party would clarify its platform and reason for existence through clear cut and definite arguments. Up to now, however, we have been disappointed.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 55 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

A name is as important to a party as a brand is to merchandise. Medicines used to bear German names and cafes, and coffee houses, were apt to have French names. It may be improper to classify the name of a political party with a brand of merchandise, but the titles of the political parties which came into existence after the war tempt us to make such a comparison.

Of course the now JAPAN should be democratic in all phases of its activities. However, being democratic is not a temporary fashion. Especially in politics, a steady and serious democracy must be established. Therefore, a political party should not aim at hitting the taste of the public by its name, but should make the name coincide with the party's character.

"Progressive" and "Liberal" are the passwords of today, and the people at large are being charmed by the very words. But if the Progressive Party for instance, is not progressive in its nature, its name will mean nothing more than a brand of merchandise or a signboard of a cafe. This is true in the caves of the Liberal Party with no liberal policies and the Social-Democratic Party with no socialistic platforms.

For that reason, we wish to ask the Parties about their policies. What progressive policies does the Progressive Party have? What is the Liberal Party doing to protect liberalism? How much zeal has the Social Democratic party for the realization of socialism?

The political practice of FRANCE have been typical of the great difference between the names and their real characters. Among the parties the Radical Socialist has been remarkable. The sere party controlled the political circle as the first party in Parliament from the establishment of the Third Republic to the general election of 1936. But the polices of the party in political practices have been neither radical non-socialistic, though it co-operated for a time with the Socialist, and the Communist parties as a member of the Popular Front. The substance of the party has not been different from that of a bourgeois party. In recent general elections the Party has come to represent the right in the Parlament. The fact shows clearly the real character of the French parties which may be compared to Dutch cheese with red coating and white content. When the nation is made radical by sudden changes in the social situation and the political group cannot keep pace with the nation, political parties usually take temporary measures of changing their titles. The people, on their part, must be on the lookout for these evasive measures by political parties. At this time when we have started to construct a new. JAPAN, we want to have both the political group's and the people at large pay attention to this very point.

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