Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0229, 1946-01-11.

Summary:

The directives issued on 4 January by SCAP will have a far reaching [illegible]ct upon every phase of civil life as well as in the political [illegible]d. These directives order on one hand the disbandment of bodies [illegible]ring the democratization of JAPAN, while on the other hand they [illegible]the elimination of vicious elements from public life.

The influence of the two directives is likely to prove fatal to the present Cabinet, and also to give rise to chaos among the staffs of [illegible]institution. The remedy is beyond the reach of the Government [illegible]the Diet, calling for the united efforts of the whole nation.

The directives despite [illegible]ir punitive nature, aim at the construc[illegible]a new JAPAN [illegible]ing men with democratic spirit to public [illegible]The burd[illegible] [illegible]the Government to present concrete [illegible]for ful[illegible]these directives will not be[illegible]light. The greatest [illegible]k, [illegible]was felt by the candidates for the Diet, preparing for by the [illegible] [illegible]ction. To be sure the vacanies could be filled by new[illegible]however the Lack in political leadership is an [illegible]

The [illegible]announcement of the [illegible]of the general election [illegible]directive lim[illegible]ng the qualifications of the [illegible]. As result of the present directives we cannot but be [illegible]with the difficult situation as regards the lack of compet[illegible]t persons. Among the other things, the choice of adequate re[illegible] [illegible]is of the gro[illegible]st significance. The movement [illegible]choose [illegible]competent men should therefere be started by the [illegible]This is even more urge[illegible]than political dis[illegible] [illegible]the [illegible]ng question of the people's living.

[illegible]be overcome by any Cabinet unless drastic and [illegible] [illegible]eps are taken. At present, to our great regret the presa[illegible]are [illegible]too bright. Severe self-reflection on the parts of [illegible]the Government [illegible]nd civilian's is therefore required.

In addition, the publication [illegible]f documents and records of the dis[illegible]rganized bodies would have their militaristic tendercies and be as effective as any court proceedings.

This is clearly a proof of the open mindedness and fairness common to all Americans.

Full Translation:

The directive issued on 4 January 1946 by SCAP proved favorable to the

EDITORIAL SERIES: 229 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party. The Social Democratic Party, in hopes of becoming the main party, has embarked on an enlargement of its front, while the Communist Party intends to make a step toward the formation of a popular front. The general public has no reason to be opposed to those moves.

The Communist Party issued a message on 7 January condemning the attitude of the Social Democratic Party, to which the latter made a response. This is not at all an unwelcoming tendency, rather, we are prove to encourage such a trend. The greatest concern of the populace, however does not lie in such a point, nor in the choice of parties or the expectation of which of the parties is likely to come into power, but in the vital problem of who will give security for our living. The Social Democratic Party pointed out lack of clarity in the policy of the Communist Party. However we believe that both Parties should share the responsibility for lacking policies and concrete measures for the people's welfare. Mere competition for power will do no more good than did the SEIYUKAI and MINSEITO parties. To gain more votes these parties should display policies concrete enough to meet the urgent needs of today's vital problems. This will enlighten the people politically, and furthermore, any party in power would be pressed to take these measures.

Full Translation:

Along with the trend of democratization in various civilian organizations where has appeared in the government offices a certain internal [illegible]vement which advocates their democratization. This movement seems to call for a great change in the history of our government officials, for they have hitherto been a most undemocratic element. Nevertheless, the so-called "democratization of the government offices" seen at present is not at all democratic in its true character; in some cases it is even contrary to democracy. It may be well called the life problem of the government official[illegible]group. It is not too far wrong to say that there can be scarcely found anything truly democratic in their speech and behavior. As government officials were most undemocratic or anti-democratic in the pas[illegible]their democratization is the most backward at present. Hence, the democratization of the government office machinery must be executed with the utmost speed and thoroughness.

However, if the democratization movement by the government officials themselves is as far from true democracy as seen at present, we cannot expect anything f[illegible]er the internal movement.

The [illegible]vabilitation of the livelihood of the government or public officials, especially of these of lower classes, is as urgent a problem as it is for general salaried men, and the Government has decided to improve their treatment. However, if they think that the democratization of the government office means something like the improvement of treatment or the participation of employees in the business of some civilian companies, they are sadly mistaken. The fundamental basis of the democratization of the government offices is that the offices become organizations which serve the country and the Nation, and that government officials become servants of the public. It goes without saying that the officials were bent on strengthening their own powers by means of control.

They oppressed the Nation in the name of war. How that the war is over they do not hear the voices of the Nation seeking out their responsibility for having led the war, and are still absorbed in preserving their powers. They attempt at every opportunity to restore the powers

- 2 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 229 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

from which they were once parted by the accusations of the Nation. We doubt if their behavior has been improved by the ending of the war, for they still interfere in politics and disturb the peace. The officials who are in daily contact with the public still keep their antiquated undemocratic attitude. The consciousness of privilege is an undemocratic tradition of the government officials of our country. Without the drastic removal of this consciousness the democratization of government officials will never be realized.

The reduction of an average of half of the government officials throughout the central and provincial offices has been decided upon in order to regulate post-war administration. We can easily imagine that this reduction of members has disturbed the officials. Moreover, some staffs are expected to be changed in each Ministry, more or loss in bulk, by the directive ordering the exclusion of war-leader issued by SCAP. The government officials are greatly concerned as to whether the positions are to be filled by home members, or by civilians. This and other conditions have made the stagnation of business or the sabotage in government offices even more evident.

[illegible]their so-called "democratization movement" accelerates such trends, [illegible]key must know that the accusation of the Nation will grow more sharp. To be sure, we admit the necessity of stabilization of the livelihood of government or public officials, particularly of those of the lower classes. However, we must not overlook the delay of business in government offices because of this. As was frequently pointed out by SCAP none of the urgent policies are advancing satisfactorily, although the success or failure of these policies greatly affects the life of the Nation. What will become of democratization if these conditions remain as they are? We hope that the self-democratization of government officials will not be led astray. Moreover, we must not forget to encourage the democratization of the government offices in its true sense.

Full Translation:

The political conference held today in CHUNKING, the capital of CHINA, holds the key to the destiny of new CHINA. The Chinese people, who were being reduced to the most wretched condition by Japanese military aggression during the past eight years and by internal friction between the Communists and nationalists for the last four months, are watching this conference with great hope. The Japanese war ended in victory for CHINA [illegible]a result of the end of the war in the PACIFIC. For the Chinese people however, the victory in this war seems to be very sorrowful. The TA[illegible]KUNG-DAO, (TN official organ of the KUOMIK-TANG, published in CHUNGKING) in autumn last year when there was threat of internal conflict, stated in its editorial under the sad title of "Miserable Victory and Miserable Defeat" as follows: "Defeated JAPAN has gained political liberty and has bright prospects for the future with the military clique overthrown. Then, what is the matter with us who have gained victory after eight years of hostilities? At present the danger of internal conflict is grave. No liberty of speech has been gained, and the people are in great difficulties with higher commodity prices than during the war. Under this conditions, can we call the victory now gained by any other name than a miserable, victory?"

Such has been the situation in CHINA since the termination of the war. The difference in character and tradition between Nationalists and Communists seemed to throw CHINA into confusion without regard

- 3 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 229 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

for the fervent desire of the people for peace and unification, since the common front against JAPAN was ended with the conclusion of the war. Even in spite of the historical conversation held in autumn last year between CHIANG, Kai-Shek and MAO, Tse-Tung, the leaders of both parties, the final agreement could not be reached. Moreover, the internal conflict occurred in regard to the acceptance of Japanese surrender in CHINA, which seemed to show the tragic fate of CHINA.

When the year ended, however, the internal conflict suddenly ceased, and a political conference representing all parties and factions is to be held. The hopeful signs of peace, for which the Chinese people have long been waiting, are beginning to appear. It can be understood, however, that this sign of peace is not a bolt from the blue if the post-war political movements in CHINA are carefully observed. In the furious conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists, we can see the movement towards unification gradually growing, The widespread ardent hope for peace and unification among the people is, of course, the proof of this movement. There must be some politically unifying principle, though which can abandon the conflict between the Nationalists and Communists, each of which has its own doctrine and history.

There has long been one supreme political principle in CHINA, that is, SUN Yat-sen's three-people principle. As is widely known, the KUOMINTANG claims to be the orthodox successor to this principle, and the Communists also admit this principle. Chinese Communists have been denouncing bitterly the dictatorship of KUOMINTANG under the name of the "Three-People Principle", and hold the "New democracy" advocated by MAO, Tse-tung as their actual program to attain the aim of the three-people principle. The discussion between the Nationalists and Communists before the close of the war turned on this one point. Since the end of the war notable changes can be seen in the attitude of the KUOMINTANG. CHIANG, Kai-shek and the spokesmen of the Nationalist Government repeatedly claimed the democratization of their government, and the Nationalists and Communists agreed to co-operate with each other in the complete realization of the three-people principle on the basis if peaceful democracy. Combination and unification was discussed at the negotiations held in autumn last year under the leaderships of CHIANG, Kai-shek, No objection was made to the necessity of a united government, but it has long been the subject of discussion as to how and when a new united government should be set up. So we can say that democracy was adopted as the leading political principle of new CHINA by the talk between CHIANG and MAU and autumn last year.

The antagonism between Nationalists and Communists, however, was too deeply planted to unite with each other under the slogan of democracy. So some outside influence was required to expedite the movement toward unification. The impetus was given by both the UNITED STATES and SOVIET RUSSIA last winter. AMERICA'S new CHINA policy and the statement issued by the three foreign ministers' conference held in MOSCOW were a powerful proclamation to expedite the realization of democratic unification of CHINA by the two powers which are concerned in the ORIENT. Here is opened the way toward the suspension of internal conflict and the beginning of political negotiations between the Nationalist and Communist.

Thus, CHINA is now taking the first step toward a democratic revolution. Because it entails the manner in which the conflict between two parties will be abandoned under the slogan of democracy, or the Chinese model of democracy, the conference now to be held holds great interest for all the world. We expect our neighbor CHINA, to save her people from the condition of "miserable victory" by establishing unification and peace at this conference, and at the same time, to start on her way toward world peace as a powerful nation, as early as possible. Our

- 4 -

EDITORIAL SERIES; 229 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

expectations of CHINA must be a strong encouragement to us Japanese who are on the way toward a similar democratic revolution.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 5 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 229 (Continued)

ERRATA:

No. 690, EDITORIAL SERIES: 220, dated 9 Jan 46, ITEM 1, "The Reconstruction of the Provincial Administration and This Prefecture - Provincial Newspaper - 4 Jan 46. Translator: K. Nobunaga." should read, "The Reconstruction of the Provincial Administration and This Prefecture - Provincial Newspaper Niigata Nippo (Niigata) - 4 Jan 46. Translator: K. Nobunaga"