Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0234, 1946-01-12.

Summary:

After hearing respectfully the New Year's Imperial Rescript, the Nation, awakened from the nightmare of the past, has confirmed its vow to set forth in the new direction. In response to the Emperor's words, "We will vo[illegible]and clear our national destiny". We have begun the first step for the new regime and we will not relax our resolution to establish a new JAPAN.

The pride of all agricultural countries, the farmers, have confirmed their vow to put all available energy into food increase in order to prevent compatriots from starvation. It is incumbent upon the farmers to guarantee the Nation's welfare. However, they have to overcome many hurdles to achieve that aim.

Officials and people must know what comprises the initial step to the increase of food production. That step is the guarantee of seedlings. Every efficient thing must be cultivated from its beginning. The source of farm produce is seedlings. If one has an assurance of sufficient seedlings, his production will increase.

Our prefecture was dependent on the import of seedlings for rice, potatoes, and vegetables from other districts. We have to import more than half of the amount of potatoes from HOKKAIDO in the coming spring, and 70 or 80 percent of sweet potatoes and vegetables must also be imported. The assurance of supply of those necessary foods will grow more difficult with the snarl in traffic facilities. Then it will be impossible to carry out the principle of sowing good seed on good soil. Moreover, due to the present insufficient fertile ability of the soil, bad results are for seen. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to obtain seedlings of all kinds through a definite supply. The prefectural authorities and the agriculture association have already set up plans and have created a deputy association in order to guarantee the supply of seedlings. However, the farmers show an air of being unwilling to co-operate. Surely they realize the fact that supply of seedling is necessary. Nevertheless, they are unwilling to renounce their old ideas and are unwilling to co-operate to secure seeds by their own initiative. The fault lies with the past leadership of the Agricultural Experimental Section. Because of the section's inefficient results of farm experiments, the farmers show no trust in them. It has been far easier for the farmers to buy seedlings from abroad.

Leaders and farmers must co-operate more closely. The prefecture plans to create model farms in order to promulgate new agriculture technique. However, these technicians must first of all aim at the problem of storage and upbringing, of seedlings independent of other countries. The farmers should not adhere to their old tradition, but should candidly co-operate with the leaders, who, on the other

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hand, should renounce their old distrust of the farmers. Both leaders and farmers should work for a food increase in order to stabilize the Nations's welfare.

Full Translation:

The Imperial Rescript issued on New Year's Day of this year is quite notable for these three points:

• 1.In regard to the relation between the Emperor and the Nation, the divinity of the Emperor is denied as a "fantastic idea." The word UTSUSHIMIKMI, which means the divinity or "living human God" in Japanese, originated in the Formula of the Orders and Imperial Rescripts specified in the T[illegible]IHOR[illegible]I (the code issued in the TAIHO Era). In this document, the usage of the word UTSUSHIMIKAMI in the Imperial Rescripts is clearly shown in many examples. Since then, this word has been used in the Imperial Rescripts for 1,200 years or longer. We often meet this word in the Imperial Orders listed in the Supplementary Volume of Japanese History (ZOKUNIPPON-KI) and other historical books. Hence, the denial of divinity means, at the same time, the denial of the formula which has been used for so many years since the publication of the TAIHO code. This should have a great effect on the spiritual world of JAPAN.
• 2.It must be noticed that punctuation and diacritical marks were used for the first time in this Imperial Rescript. The number of Imperial Rescripts issued since the MEIJI Restoration amounts to about 1,100, yet this is the first time the punctuation and diacritical marks were used formally. In this sense, this Rescript be said to be epoch-making, breaking a custom of eighty years since the creation of the modern Imperial Rescripts written in the mixed Sino-Japanese characters. (As an exception, diacritical marks were used in the eight Imperial Rescripts issued from 6 July 1938 to 27 September 1940, yet the punctuation marks were not used even in these cases.) The use of punctuation and diacritical marks will contribute greatly toward making the Imperial Rescripts more familiar to the general public, for they have previously been written in a stiff style and were thought to be somewhat difficult to understand. The style of the Imperial Rescript has been the determining factor for the style of law documents. Hence, diacritical marks and punctuation marks will also be used in the articles of the laws to be issued hereafter, as well as in the Constitution to be revised in the near future.
• 3.The Imperial Rescript recently issued was written particularly in the form of SHOSYO, whereas they formerly were issued in the form of the Imperial Message (CHOKUGO) on an occasion such as this. As a rule, the Imperial Message was issued regarding temporary or less important matters without the petition of the Government. This seems to have originated from one of the articles in the Formula of the Imperial Rescript in the TAIHO Code, which states that, "Extraordinary or important matters shall be stated in the Imperial Rescript, while ordinary or less important matters shall be stated in the Imperial Message." Hence it is clear that the Emperor attached importance to this statement by issuing it in the from of the Imperial Rescript with the Imperial Signature and Privy Seal attached.

The above- [illegible]unique in the history of the Imperial

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Rescripts and Imperial Messages. We must make a new resolution to live in an epoch-making new era, in accord with the intentions of the Emperor. (By MOPI, Kiyoto, Chief of research and Lecture Institute for the Imperial Rescript, TOKYO)

Full Translation:

It was said that the neighborhood association's allotment of national loan savings would be abolished after the end of the war. However, our association office, in order to settle the prewar allotment, had collected all our savings passbooks and have not returned them yet.

Acquaintances of mine said that they have already transferred their national loan savings to ordinary deposits because of the recent advance in cash. I want to exchange them into as each as quickly as possible. What measures has the office taken to deal with this matter? (Letter from [illegible]. SUGINAMI-Ku.) Answer of the Communications Department in TOKYO:

As the newspapers have recently revealed, the national loan savings are not due to be transferred to fixed deposits until the end of May. Therefore, repayment in cash can only be made at the original amount on 100 Yen and less. It will be a mistake on the part of the neighborhood association office if they keep our passbooks. We had better apply for them and have them returned. (The office of saving affairs).

We cannot stand the recent broadcasting of jazz and dance music, which is very different from ours. The radio is the only thing which lightens our daily weariness. Jazz will, perhaps, please the intelligent ladies and girls of the wealthier classes, who are interested in such musical entertainment. However, for those, who spend the days worrying about how to fill their empty stomach the next day, we want you to broadcast much, more about recent food conditions. (Letter from KANEKO, Yasuji). The answer of the Radio Station.

We are planning to arrange hours devoted to farmer's problems and to broadcast about any increase in food prices or about cooking and delivery problems. There are too many problems such as those of labor unions, the general election, and war crimes; therefore, we are not able to concentrate our programs only on the food question.

We are resolved to take up this matter at any time when necessary. Moreover, a family hour will be added to our programs from 15 January, and we are trying to improve the women's hour, which is broadcast at 1300 every afternoon. We hear, very often, complaints that we are sending out too much music, but, because of the restriction on [illegible]estern music during the war, we think differently. We are doing cut utmost to make our radio programs as enjoyable as possible. (Radio Program Section.)

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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