Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0238, 1946-01-15.

Full Translation:

Taxation often aims at various changes in society, but property and war profits' taxes seem to have no definite purpose. The Finance Minister says that he aims at the acquisition of revenues amounting to 100,000,000,000 yen. The new decision must be revolutionary for it intends to make revenues next year seven or eight times that of this year. However, it is a good idea if put into practise.

The carrying out of taxation is always accompanied by many difficulties, in the maze of which, the social, financial and economic purposes are almost lost. We recognize the difficulties the authorities encounter, but none of us is sure whether their efforts are worthwhile.

Stock-certifications, loans, bonds, and securities comprise the greater part of what represents the wealth of JAPAN. They will become void if they have no stamp proving that they were reported as property. Immovable properties are out of the question. War profits, however, are mostly hidden, unknown to the authorities. We can easily recognize that reduction of productive capacity and inflation are ceased by the concealment of property.

It is reported that properties are to be assessed "in principle according to quotations on the day of investigation." This encourages a person to conceal his property and indicate a way of avoiding the tax. The black market price for immovable properties is increasing tremendously. The market price, which is reckoned by multiplying the rental value by a definite multiple, and the black market price differ greatly since there is a difference between the Government price and the black market price.

However, it is impossible to estimate the black market price. The necessities of life such as furniture, utensils, clothes, and so forth are exempted from taxes. This is natural for it is impossible to carry out a house to house search every day. However, these necessities are really valuable as property.

The sum for exemption of taxes for war sufferers is set at 10,000 yen, but most people have furniture whose market price is valued at 10,000 yen. All the war sufferers are not in the same situation. Some of them suffered heavy losses while others suffered only slight loss.

We must consider the rise in living expenses. We can easily spend 30,000 or 50,000 yen to buy food in these days when all

EDITORIAL SERIES: 238 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

things are sold at black market prices. We have heard of paternalism among some employers who gave employees a thousand yen as a reward for services. Banks have recently limited the sum of advances. Some may say that this is a new way to employ the capital of a bank. We can realize the meaning and merits of the two taxes in the phrase, "tax-evasion prosperity."

Full Translation:

The staff of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry has began vigorous activities. On the one hand, it has pressed the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry to accept its demands; on the other, it has issued a manifesto to every government office in the country, in order to establish a united front. Moreover, a radical reform of the Ministry of Justice is expected to be carried out, and it is reported that all the heads of the Courts have tendered their resignations. This movement has also started in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

In order to carry those who wished to attend to the inaugural meeting, the working staff of the SHIMBASHI railway district bureau operated a special train. The influence of the bureaucrats is being broken up by the external "housecleaning directives and an internal awakening and it is now facing extinction. Higher officials are making desperate efforts to stave off its ruin. It is obvious, however, that nobody will be able to resist the trend of the times.

One reason why the bureaucrats were able to monopolize the reins of Government since the HIROTA Ministry was the collapse of the political parties, and the other was their callaboration with the Gumbatsu. With the end of the war, the Cumbatsu was overthrown. Therefore, the bureaucrats who had an active part in the war, cannot prolong the short time left to them.

The removal directive issued by the Allied Headquarters on 4 January does not aim at the general government officials directly. Therefore, it leaves an opportunity for many bureaucrats to maintain their authority at this critical moment. However, the above-mentioned movement, originating within the government offices themselves, will not permit their mischief-making in any way.

However, what we must bear in mind is that the object of this movement should be not only the improvement of living conditions and the close scrutiny of the higher officials' activities, but also success in restoring honesty and efficiency in government opposes and also in making them serve the interests of the people. For that purpose, all the minor government officials as well as the higher officials ought to reflect on their positions deeply. It mast not be overlooked that the attitude of the lower officials caused such an undesirable atmosphere that the Nation regarded it as a perfect picture of unkindnees, haughtiness and inefficiency.

Now, the officials of the Agriculture Ministry, who are responsible for food production, have started the movement and advocated "Government offices for the People". We heartily support them because we feel that they are cognizant of the things we have just described.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 238 (Continued)

Full Translation:

The Broadcasting Association which, despite its declaration immediately after the close of the war that it would reorganize on a democratic basis, has not yet cast off its bureaucratic self-conceit, arrogant feudalistic bungling, as well as privileged class sentiments. I protest against the Broadcasting Association in regard to an incident suggestive of the above-mentioned evils. The truth is this:

On the eve of New Year's Day MIZUNOE, Takiko, an actress belonging to our groups was asked to do a midnight broadcast. Prior to consenting, we asked if transportation was available for returning home since our party included ladies and had to pass through dreary raid devastated areas, the answer was that a truck would be ready and we were pursuaded to honor the request although we had performed earlier on New Year's Day. When we finished our performance before the microphone and came out to await the truck, we were informed of the alarming news that the truck would not be ready.

At midnight a party with ladies would not be safe passing through deserted places to reach distant lodgings. We were standing there, shivering with cold and, hunger at our wit's end in the vain hope that the truck might come. A non-descript drunkard came along saying, "ladies first" in a most unpleasant tone in English. "Can the ladies spare me a minute?", he asked. Upon being asked the reason he assured us that it was necessary in order to secure a jeep. The ladies present were shuddering with perplexity and shame. When we scolded him for his unmannerly attitude, we were dumfounded at his remark that although he was not one of the staff of that institution, since he was an interpreter, he was asked to arrange the matter by the association. It is obviously not proper that the Broadcasting Association should have such a devilish being ask to use vehicles belonging to the occupation forces and that by virtue of flattery these ladies should be carried home after their performances. This is being done openly.

MIZUNOE, Takiko was so mortified at this contempt that she declined the offer and was ready to go on foot. The difficulties of language are giving rise to occasional troubles. If the interpreter whose duty is, of coarse, to remove these difficulties, is such a rogue, the matter is to be dreaded. For our sake and also for the occupation forces, these infamous fellows should be cleared out of our society. The man in question, seemingly angry at our protest, went away with these words "Then I shall not ask." I, besides myself with rage, cried "An incolent fellow," and was ready to go to inform someone on the staff.

At this moment another man who was on the staff appeared and we related the detail in protest against this mistreatment. To this, he answered unexpectedly that he had no knowledge of a conveyance for us. This was an alarming answer considering that we had been pursuaded, busy as we were, on the eve of New Year's Day, to broadcast after 12 o'clock. The man further insulted us by remarking, "Anyhow come upstairs. 1'II settle the matter." You have nothing to complain of if you are taken home," His attitude was like someone speaking to a street vender.

I went out following the advice of the actresses. I don't intend to protest against the miscalculation regarding a conveyance. I am inclined, however, to demand from the insti-

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 238 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

tution appropriate treatment for performers before the microphone. This is a question of sincerity. (Letter from KANEMATSU, Renkichi, head of TANPOPO Troupe) .

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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