Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0232, 1946-01-12.

Full Translation:

We the people should rise up and work to contribute to the reconstruction of a new JAPAN. However, the actualties of our life hinder our desire to work. The public bath is a good example of it. At the present time of food shortage taking baths is the only comfort for our working class. However, due to the filthiness and confusion, it has become one of our difficulties. In addition, from the first day of this year, the public bathhouse masters have been openly charging 1 yen for morning baths.

While the authorities concerned at the Metropolitan Police Board remain indifferent spectators, I cannot but suspect authorities, who do not adopt a ticket system that would render everyone equal both opportunities, thereby breaking down the present conditions which are monopolized by idle men and popular bosses in the street. In the event that the bath masters will not respond to this demand, a measure for its public management should be taken by the Government. I want a reply in this respect from the Metropolitan Police Board authorities. (a man of the working classes)

Reply by the Metropolitan Police Board.

Every public bathhouse has started a morning bath service recently. It is intended to help alleviate, in some measure, the existing confusion. As yet, we have no intention of advocating a ticket system. While there are now 130 electric bathhouses in our city, this is not sufficient. We are now, examining a high voltage electric bath system.

We are exposing every bath master who charges more than the official fee whenever the case is disclosed. We hope you will report your case to the police authorities concerned. The question of public management is under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Administrative Authorities. However, we know that conditions permit town associations manage them if possible, management by town associations is really successful enough in every ward.

Full Translation:

Commenting on the New Year Imperial Rescript, the Education Ministry described it as the fundamental basis of the new education in JAPAN and made clear that it is incumbent upon our education to drive home the genius of the "Imperial Command" to the people. However, its impressions were rather conventional.

Such conventions as this may be unavoidable in the event of "a revolution from the top". However, in order to stir up a democratic tendency

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ITEM 2 (Continued)

spontaneously from the bottom of the people's heart, our education should be such that the people may follow naturally the "Imperial Command". To give publicity to its graciousness merely by mouth will not be greatly effective, or rather it will be likely to lessen its effectiveness. Of late, opinions respecting the Emperor system are being set forth freely and openly. However, I suspect their influence will be the reverse of that desired by those disputants.

In the past when the supreme authority fell into the hands of the military class, and the position of the Emperor was below that of a small feudal lord, there spontaneously emerged from the military class certain people who realized the Emperor's proper status. For example, ODA, Nobunaga, and TOYOTOI, Hideyoshi, revered the Emperor in no small measure. In what way was this concept implanted in them? It was not a result of education, but was generated spontaneously. Of course, they might have intended to utilize, in some measure, the name of the Emperor to their advantage. However, the extent of the influence which the Emperor's name wielded was due to the fact that his prestige had firm roots in our history. Such a concept of reverence for the Emperor existed only to the extent that it lid not conflict with the military powers. This resulted in the safety of the Imperial family. It was a self-evident fact in our history.

ITO, Jinsai argued that "the Emperor should be removed to ISE to serve the great Shrines, and thus his [illegible]efaty would [illegible]. He further stated that it was safe for the Emperor to rise above politics.

OGIU, Sorai stated as follows: "All of the feudal lords in our country are the subject of the TO[illegible]UGAWA. Nevertheless, offices and ranks are given by the Imperial Government. Such being the case, there may be among the rank and file of the people. Those who regard the E[illegible]as the true ruler."

TOKUGAWA, Ieyasu was never less zealous in his respect for the Emperor than NOBUNAGA and HIDEYOSHI. However, it was necessary for him to avoid situations in which the Emperor's name might be utilized by the "outside" feudal lords to their own advantages. So he had to demonstrate his power to the Emperor and put in a word even about the succession of the throne. Anyhow, it is more likely that the regard of the people for the Emperor was more natural and spontaneous in the time of the TOKUGAWA than in recent days, despite the high pressure indoctrination inculcated by our educational authorities since the era of MEIJI. This seems to be the main point which should be considered relative to the Emperor system.

Full Translation:

Mr. NOZAKA and his colleagues of the Japanese Emancipation Federation, who carried on a brave fight against Japanese militarism on the Continent during the War, will enter their own country. Their return is awaited with great expectation by the people of various social strata. Some foreign newsmen compared NOZAKA's return to that of Mr. THOPEZ, the leader of the French Communists, who returned to FRANCE after the war and organized a democratic coalition cabinet.

We must have a good understanding of their political campaign during the war before we expect something from future campaigns in their country. They led a hard struggle on the Continent against the militarists when the latter ended all freedom of the Nation at home, committed overseas atrocities, and destroyed lives in adjacent countries. For several years they have suffered many hardships under changed circumstances and linguistic troubles. Moreover, they have had to fight against the militarists who were fellow countrymen. We see that now the war has ended,

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ITEM 3 (Continued)

many people are striking against the crimes of militarism and telling of the inevitablity of its failure. However, how many people were bold enough to stand against the militarists, reveal their falsehoods, try to overthrow militarism, end bring about a democratic JAPAN. While the militarists were forcing them to go on fighting and propagandizing for victory.

These antmilitarists were very few except for those who were Communist fighters with their nucleus among those Communists in the fails at home end those who belonged to the Japanese Emancipation Federation with Mr. NOZAKA overseas. In this sense all of those who stand against militarism and seek the establishment of democratic JAPAN, must pay great respect and manifest thankfulness to Mr. NOZAKA and his group as pioneers and leaders of the peace-loving people.

For many years we have been just talking and taking action Sino-Japanese amity. This false amity not only has done nothing to prevent our atrocities against the Chinese but also played the role as a screen for our invasion. However, the activities Mr. MOZAKA and his collegues carried on in CHINA reveal our genuine friendship and fairness to the Chinese people. We feel very ashamed at the generosity shown to our people still residing in CHINA after the war by the KUORMNTANG and the Communist Government in return for atrocities committed by the Japanese. However, we feel a little revised to see the reflection of our genuine friendship made by Mr. NOZAKA and his friends to the Chinese people. Thus, their actions not only lead the national resistance against militarism but also makes a basis for future Sino-Japanese amity.

We, of course, have great expectation in the political activity of Mr. NOZAKA, who has had many experiences in his 16 years of refugee life. However, all the liberal parties and the masses must first prepare a campaign of gratitude in welcome for Mr. NOZAKA and his group, the brilliant pioneers of antimilitaristic activities. The Communist party is said to be preparing to welcome them, and some of the Social-Democrats are planning the same. Not only the Communist and the Social-Democrat Parties but the Liberal Party, if they be true democrats, should manifest sincere greetings of welcome for the return to their country of these fighters for democracy who have carried on an open fight with militarists and made up for the silence of the rest of the people during the war. Holding a nationwide welcoming ceremoney for these national heroes is sure to raise our social justice, so tortured by militaristic despotism, and make a step towards a greater combination of democratic power, most important of all our urgent tasks today.

Full Translation:

The Imperial Rescript of 1 January satisfied General MacARTHUR because the Emperor declared that he himself would take an active part in the democratization of his people along liberal lives. Therefore, it is fitting and significant that the Minister of Education announced the spirit of the Rescript to school-masters and the governors throughout country. This Rescript contains a very profound meaning, like the Imperial Rescript on education issued in 1890.

SCAP has endorsed the Emperor system and the policy of the Minister of Education. Consequently, the Ministry has a very important mission in establishing this spirit of the Rescript according to the change of times. In this sense, the establishment of a new policy on education becomes more and more necessary. We rely upon the good leadership of SCAP.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 232 (Continued)

Full Translation:

The late IWANAOA Yukichi, when noting such an incident as the MANCHURIA Incident once complained, "I am sorry that the Japanese do not know how to be humble before God".

"To be humble before God" may have the same meaning as "to follow the die totes of one's conscience". It means to recognize the distinction between right and wrong and to walk the way of righteousness, ignoring public opinion. In a word, it means to root out opportunistic ambitions. Such ambitions were hateful even during the war. We should be vigilant now that JAPAN is going to be reconstructed as a peaceful nation.

How many of those who led the Japanese during the war obeyed the dictates of their conscience? The same can be applied to the present. How many of us have been spending the days righteously since we were defeated? Once the acts of the Japanese were unfortunately controlled by military authorities. We should find the right path by ourselves, hereafter, without looking to the Allied directives.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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