Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0240, 1946-01-13.

Full Translation:

Although the SCAP directive ordering the expulsion of militaristic elements has perplexed the SHIDEHARA Cabinet, rather than resign en masse, the Cabinet has decided to carry on after a reorganization. The Premier is determined to carry on with the present Government following a reorganization. It is obvious that he is confident that he can carry on the government at least until the forthcoming general election. The present Cabinet, which is composed mainly of bureaucrats, apparently lacks public support. How will the Cabinet be shaped after the reorganization? Of course, the Premier has to choose ministers from among those persons who are not affected by the SCAP order. However, we can hardly expect any considerable change to occur in the present Cabinet.

Glancing at the series of Government measures heretofore taken to cope with the pressing problems of inflation, the food crisis, the coal shortage, etc, we find that most of those measures have proved advantageous to the ruling class. Moreover, the present Cabinet failed to carry out promptly the SCAP directive ordering the removal of fascist elements. The facts clearly show the true character of the present Cabinet. No matter how drastic the proposed reorganization may be, it cannot be imagined that any substantial difference will appear in the character of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet. At any rate, the present Cabinet is an interim Cabinet to administer problems until the general election.

Of course, the objective of the reorganization is to expel the ministers who fall into the categories of the directive. However, the general election is also a live issue for the Cabinet. In managing the inflation problem, the food problem, and the question of the coal shortage, the Government should not try to protect the interests of the ruling class, but move along the main current of society. High efficiency and good will must be a primary requisite for the new Cabinet. The new Cabinet must not be a hindrance to democracy in this country, and at the same time, strenuous efforts should be put forth in order to avert chaos in national life.

Since the Liberal Party and the Social-Democratic Party have shouted for its resignation, both parties cannot send their members to the new Cabinet. Members of the new Cabinet must be picked from the bureaucracy, the Progressive Party or others who are not affected by the directive. In this case, the greatest danger is that inert politicians will become ministers and that the old political elements will remain.

The Japanese Nation today earnestly desires an efficient administration. If Prime Minister SHIDEHARA should carry out a vicious

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ITEM 1 (Continued)

reorganization, the new Cabinet would cause a setback in the national life. This is our advice to the SHIDEHARA. Cabinet now on the verge of reorganization.

Extracts:

(TN: Editorials in YOMIURI and MAINICHI are substantially the same, and are similar in subject to the ASAHI. The following additional points are presented in extract.)

YOMIURI:

In the four months since its formation, the present Cabinet has done nothing but aggravate the situation. The Cabinet has adopted reactionary policies, paying no respect to the will of the people. Since the mission of an interim cabinet lies more in stabilizing national life by defeating the capitalists and the bureaucrats who brought about the present crisis than in making preparations for the coming general election, we strongly protest against the SHIDEHARA Cabinet's remaining in office. We cannot expect the Cabinet to solve any of the vital questions such as inflation or the food-shortage, considering the reactionary character of the Cabinet. The situation is so serious that no cabinet but one founded by the will of the people can meet the crisis. The three parties, the Liberal, the Social-Democratic and the Communist, should form a coalition cabinet, establishing an extensive united front.

MAINICHI:

Premier SHIDEHARA has an established reputation of being faithful to his personal beliefs. However, his personal beliefs are beliefs which lack recognition of the social conditions which have changed so much in the ten years since his retirement. This is the reason why his Cabinet has come to a deadlock. His Cabinet has brought the Nation to so sad a plight as to make foreign countries doubt our ability to revive. The Cabinet should resign en bloc, instead of reorganizing.

The only problem is who the succeeding premier should be. None of the people hope that any member of the present Cabinet will be ordered to form a new cabinet. Where then should the succeeding premier be found? Since the next cabinet is another interim cabinet whose only mission is the carrying out of the coming general election, the term of office would be very short. However, its mission is extremely important. First, it should hold a general election with as much success as possible. Second, it should deal with the urgent problems of national life in spite of its short term of office. It is very probable that it will meet with these difficult problems before the holding of the general election.

The succeeding premier should be one who is capable of pulling through this crisis to see a party cabinet formed after the election. Since the Allied purge directive has disqualified so many old politicians, it is very difficult to find a new premier. However, we should seek extensively. The question is how bravely and cleverly he can deal with the present difficult problems. At the same time, a method of selection which reflects, as much as possible, the will of the people should be taken. We should not adhere to the old unpopular method.

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