Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0280, 1946-01-22.

Full Translation:

I heard that a KUMAZAWA, calling, himself the descendant of the southern dynasty, introduced himself as "the Orthodox Emperor". Although his assertion cannot be immediately trusted, there might arise various opinions on the genealogy of the Imperial Household, by tracing back "the line of Emperors unbroken for ages eternal". This men's claim may end as a mere episode, yet it may serve as proof that the Emperor System in point of blood does net have absolute authority.

Of the three sacred treasures of tae Imperial court, symbol of the Imperial Throne, the mirror and the sword, were once claimed as not original by Dr. INOVE, Tetsujire. As to the beads, scientific proof that they are originals from the time of the Sun Godess would be difficult, too. It is mere nonsense in this age of atomic power to succeed to the Imperial Throne ay means of such ritualistic divine treasures.

It is too preposterous that they should enshrine the treasures and the goddess, and compel the Nation to offer worship. The special Japanese character should be recognized to some extent, it is true, but measures to coerce the people by extreme dogma will become factors shutting us out of world civilization. In the Imperial Rescript of the New Year the Emperor himself preclaimed that he is not a "living god." He is necessary at this time, to inaugurate a thorough reform of the system of State SHINTO with the aim of surmounting the obstacles to democracy.

Full Translation:

Considering the unfavorable results of the rice delivery, which showed only 28 perecent of the scheduled amount up to 10 January, the Government decided to strengthen its control of food at its regular meeting on Friday.

The food situation is supposed to reach its first crisis in March or April. The Government's control measures consist of five items: to secure the delivery; to check illegal activities; and to make fair distribution; to inspect the warehouses and other institutions; and to readjust the present complicated system of food management. The farmer Minister of Agriculture expects both the farmers and urban dwellers to cooperate everywhere in order to insure prompt delivery.

Since the officials and the leaders of the agricultural associations are no longer trusted, the mere advocacy of a moral spirit without the back-

EDITORIAL SERIES: 280 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

ground of an efficient and resolute policy, failed to increase the delivery. The matter can no longer be put right except by compulsory measures. The strengthening of Government control cannot but he regarded as the result of such a recognition of the situation. It was inevitable that such measures should be taken when the matter became serious. We doubt, however, that the present crisis can be overcome by this measure alone. What is most needed to tide ever the crisis, we think, is that the Government and the agricultural association restore the confidence of the formers.

The Government says that the production of fertilizer, farming implements, cotton goods, and other necessities for farmers will be carried out despite all difficulties in order to link the distribution of these necessities with the delivery of rice and other staple food. On the other hand, the Government declared that the farmers will be forbidden to exchange their rice for materials.

What the Government intends is excellent, and we have often heard the Government say so. What the Government said, however, didn't conform to its actions. So it can be supposed that the farmers are very doubtful about the Government's sincerity fulfilling its promises.

According to the program drafted by the Agriculture Ministry, for instance, the production of fertilizer is scheduled to amount to 750 thousand tons in 1946 and two million tons in 1947. Then, how is the production of ammonium sulphate going at present? It reached the estimated amount of 18 thousand tons in December, gradually increasing each month from the figure of 5,800 tons in September. However, the amount of 30 thousand tons expected to be produced in January and February is reported to fell short of expectations by about 23 thousand tons. It is difficult, therefore, to be successful in operating the plan to produce ammonium sulphate at a rate of 320 tons a year.

As to the production of daily necessities designed mainly for war sufferers low figures of from three to ten percent of the scheduled amount are shown. As can be judged from the above figure[illegible]s, the Government, which wishes to be trusted, is unreasonable. It is desirable that the Government fulfill its promises despite all difficulties. Those who refuse to fulfill their quota with malicious intent should be duly handled by compulsory measures and by severe sentences. It is necessary that the Government should not drew up on unjust bill if it desires to prevent the formers exchanging their rice for other necessities. That is the reason why the officials or staffs in the lower grades of the Agricultural Department and the agricultural association must prove themselves reliable, so as to be able to be consulted in confidence by farmers.

The shortage of fertilizer was the most important couse of the bad crop of tae last year. How will the matter develop if the fertilizer is short again this year? In such a situation all the departments of the Government should do their best to increase the production of fertilizer. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and the agricultural association should change their officials and require the officials or leaders unsuited for postwar conditions to resign.

It is necessary that the farmers deliver rice by consultative methods in a thoroughly democratic way, as opposed to [illegible]sion end compulsion. Stern measures should only be taken in extreme cases. We think that the Government is justified in its measures to forbid black marketing or illegal disposal of staple foods, and in severely punishing the offenders. It is also necessary that the receipt of distributed foods by illegal means should be strictly controlled.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 280 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

The allotment of 2.1 go per day, however, is altogether beyond endurance. This small allotment is the cause of the black marketing of staple foods, and the people are obliged to run about madly seeking other food. Therefore, it is desirable to reestablished control over the shipment and distribution of perisnable food. The past failure of bureaucratic control should never be repeated.

Nutrition has been much discussed among consumers in cities in connection with the problem of substitute foods. Is it necessary to consider the problem of nutrition with regard to a prompt delivery?

At any rate agricultural villages have an abundance of food in stock compared to cities, and yet those who live in villages require a sufficient amount of food. If the movement for the planning of daily meals prevails in the agricultural districts, the delivery will become much better under the influence of this movement.

In short it cannot be expected that the delivery of staple foods will be directly improved by the recent measures alone. Tha problem of the readjustment of the prices of rice, barley and other agricultural products requires that tae Government adopt more all-embracing measures in the future.

Full Translation:

In view of the current unsatisfactory delivery of rice from the farmers and the seriousness of the demand and supply situation in consuming districts, the Government has adopted a decisive measure, by which it is able to purchase rice from the farmers to secure prompt delivery. At the same time it has decided to carry out a strict control and surveillance of all phases of collecting, distribution, and consumption of food. The elimination of all the causes for the current unsatisfactory delivery of rice as well as the sponteneous and positive cooperation of the farmers have been demanded. Now, everyone realizes that the farmers devoted themselves wholly to the increase of crops and delivery of food during the war. However, their recent attitude toward the State is generally non-cooperative, and this trend prevails throughout the Country. Food is now one of the most important problems.

The compulsory measures are a most undesirable step, but now that the food importation from abroad requires our greatest effort at domestic production, this Government step is unavoidable. It is rather regret table that the Government has been forced to use compulsory measures due to the farmers' unsatisfactory attitude. Since the schedule of the farmers' delivery has been prevented for various reasons, the Government's requisition of rice delivery has become unreasonable, and will remain so unless these causes are removed. Wherever the responsibility lies, its delivery dir city dominates the consumers lives, since it is the people's staple food. In this sense this problem is extremely important.

It is especially obvious that many farmers recently showed an unduly non-cooperative attitude by reason of lack of confidence in the Government's policies. For example, due to the inadequate distribution of farming tools and commodities, the farmers cannot get the necessities of life unless they present rice in exchange for them, However, we also see many farmers who are using rice in exchange for even goods which are in common use. In this case, the discr[illegible]aney between the official price of rice and the exchange of rice becomes an important problem.

On the other hand there are many examples of outside pressure which has

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ITEM 3 (Continued)

prevented the speed up of rice delivery from honest farmers. Corruption is not confined only to the farmers, of course, and the number of farmers who honestly cooperate in the delivery of rice is not small. From now on, all farmers should give a satisfactory delivery without the Government having to make compulsory purchases. The completion of delivery is required from the farmers, and the Government has many things to do. It should not be permitted for the Government to compel only the farmers to deliver if it cannot discharge its own duties.

The Government's duties will be as follower: reform of public functionaries of the provincial Governments, the municipal authorities, and the agricultural societies; prevention of unlawful food corporations, distribution agencies, and transport services, security and adequate distribution of necessities of life to the farmers, and reliable distribution to the consumers; the establishment of a basic policy for the price of rice. Unless these steps are adopted at the sane time, the farmers cannot deliver rice with an easy mind, and the Government can not ask for the farmer's cooperation.

The Government should be very cautious in regard to the best method to secure prompt delivery of rice. If the authorities who do not have any qualifications to compel and supervise the people, depend needlessly on strongarm methods, the situation will certainly become more complicated. Police authority, especially, must be exercised with great care, and the Government should not forget the importance of bringing in compulsory purchase.

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