Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0092, 1945-12-14.

Full Translation:

When we see that Premier SHIDEHARA is trying to withdraw what he told to newspapermen and that the Foreign Minister is apologizing for his improper words in the Diet, we cannot but despise them. Of course, the Diet members could refrain from mere carping at someone's faults.

The Diet which is watched by the world, must be more guarded in its speech. We cannot tell whether their failure came from the loss of self - possession or from making light of the Diet. But, in any case, we suppose that their utterances revealed their true feelings. They are after all mere bureaucrats, not statesmen, for the new era.

From their words, we can see easily how they look at the Diet and newspapers. To make light of the Diet and newspapers indicates a contempt for public opinion, which we cannot pass over in silence. With such a tendency of thought, their speeches about democracy do not impress us at all. It is like going to a tree for fish to expect them to understand and lead the present revolutionary movement.

It is true that they are foremost in their knowledge of social and political affairs in the UNITED STATES. But mere knowledge is of no use. Those who intend to govern a country on the principle of democracy must sympathize with it and be willing to listen to the voices of the people at large. If not so, we fear that politics cannot follow the people. They must bear in mind that democracy cannot be carried on by mere gestures. We wish to take this opportunity to awaken the minds of leading people, especially of Government officials, about this matter.

The POTSDAM Declaration decided to democratize JAPAN. But it is quite difficult for leaders who were badly influenced by the old regime to get rid of their inveterate habits and become genuine democrats. Even those who are believed to be true democrats are influenced considerably by old habits. Examples of this are Premier SHIDEHARA, and Foreign Minister YOSHIDA.

Of course, we find many faults concerning the Diet and the newspapers. However, we believe that nothing exerts so powerful an influence upon the general public as do the newspapers. The Prime Minister of a country should not refuse to permit the publication of his words in newspapers. To speak through the newspapers means to talk with the people. Therefore, those who do so must be charged with responsibility for their remarks.

As to the relation between the people and the Diet, we need hardly mention that. If we ignore the Diet, democracy cannot exist, because the Diet nowadays consists of members who were elected by the people themselves. To take account of public opinion is the first step to democracy. Those who ignore or make light of the Diet and the newspapers cannot be the leaders of a democratic country.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 92 (Continued)

Full Translation:

By the acceptance of the POTSDAM Declaration as a turning-point, JAPAN has started anew as a peaceful nation. In the first step JAPAN has been disarmed and at the same time the teaching of military drill and BUDO (TN: Japanese military arts.) has been completely abolished. The Imperial Government is now making every effort to meet the present Allied demands, and, to our satisfaction, there have been no difficulties.

Recently, however, the occupational forces in SENDAI discovered that arms were concealed, and military drill and BUDO were being taught at the SENDAI First Middle School, contrary to directives from Allied Headquarters. Prefectural authorities investigating ONO, Tokushiro, the principal of that school, who is held responsible, accepted his resignation on 30 November. Hereafter Mr. ONO shall never be allowed to enter any educational pursuit. This is not the only case of such violations. Allied occupational authorities are also investigating similar cases at SHIOGAWA National School and other young men's schools, and intend to carry out punishment as soon as the cases are concluded.

These violations surely hinder the execution of the POTSDAM Declaration, and are serious obstacles in the way of rebuilding a peaceful JAPAN. It is heartening that the CHIBA-ken's Governor took a serious view of the situation and issued a sharp warning to the schools in his prefecture. JAPAN, which stressed military power and ignored the limit of her production, at last encountered a most miserable fate, her eventual collapse. This is a deed committed by the military clique, and has no connection with the will of the people, who are actually lovers of peace. As we all know, the military clique, exceeding its capabilities, trespassed on the administration of culture, and participated in education and the management of schools, turning them into cradles of militarism.

Viewing the situation objectively, it is excusable for the educators to have gone astray from their duty and submitted to the pressure of the military clique. However, if viewed from the principle that JAPAN has been a peaceful nation since the acceptance of the POTSDAM Declaration this militaristic education is the very thing which should have been destroyed. There may be many reasons for principal ONO's act, but the most fundamental one is that the Education Ministry simply ordered the abolition of military drill without substituting other lessons. Therefore the principal obliged his pupils to execute these drills as a temporary measure until detailed instructions arrived.

Yet, it is true that he neither recognized social changes, nor assumed suitable counter-measures. Therefore he deserves to be blamed for his lack of ability as an educator. The Education Minister and the Educational Department of the Prefecture should also assume responsibility if there were any errors in their management. Japanese ministries are so inefficient that even when they wish to sincerely carry out an order, they have a tendency to ignore it in the end.

We hope this incident will be a warning to all educators against committing similar errors. The authorities should pay special attention to avoid such disgraceful incidents.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 92 (Continued)

Summary:

The recent announcement by the police board of MIYAGI-Ken on increasing control of the black market comes as a most welcome piece of news. Democracy must begin with the establishment of justice in our daily lives. The black market is flourishing in every nook and cranny of this country. War-profiteers, demobilized servicemen engaging in unwarranted disposal of military supply stocks since the end of the war, and black marketeers themselves, at the same time, are forced buying other goods from the black market.

In view of the recent rampancy of black market dealings, we hope the police will exercise thorough supervision. The police should search for the sources unlawfully selling the daily necessities and perishables to the black marketeers. All those concerned with black market transactions should be punished. To this end, full co-operation must be extended by the general public.

It is hoped that our attempt will develop into a national movement. In addition to the supervision of these black markets, public control associations for the distribution of goods should be subjected to scrutiny since some of these semi-governmental organizations are obtaining undue profits.

For instance, the daily commodity association of SENDAI is nowpurchasing white cabbages and radishes amounting to 1,100,000 kan (4,125,000 kilogram). In this transaction, 18 sen per 3.75 kilogram is paid to the agricultural association as a collecting commission and 30 sen to the SENDAI Perishable Goods Distribution Association as a distribution commission. The agricultural association pays rebates of 10sen to the farmers for freight and so the net amount of commission for the association is eight sen. The SENDAI Ferishable Goods Distribution Association pays rebates of five sen to farmers for delivery costs and so 25 sen per 3.75 kilogram of vegetable is the net income for that association.

Supposing one million kan (3,750,000 kilogram) of vegetables comes to SENDAI, the Agricultural Association and the Perishable Goods Distribution Association obtain a profit of 80,000 yen and 250,000 respectively. These profits are admittedly undue because these organizations not only lack responsibility for distribution but are also insured from loss at no cost.

For this purchase of vegetables the credit of 1,000,000 yen is offered by bankers to the Agricultural Association and the Perishable Goods Distribution Association through, the medium of the daily commodities association. Consequently, the citizens of SENDAI are paying high interest for that loan.

If the police board is determined to carry out thorough supervision of the black markets, they must exercise sweeping reforms in these semi-governmental organizations.

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