Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0355, 1946-02-04.

Full Translation:

With 1000 tons of flour arriving in TOKYO from the PHILIPPINES late in January as a starter, the anticipated import of staple foods will be eventually realized. It is needless to say that the imported food is to compensate for deficiencies in internal supply. Nevertheless, the shortage food from which townsmen are now suffering should not be considered wholly as a deficiency of staple foods. We have reference to the absolute deficiency consisting of that which remains after deducting the aggregate amount of the staple food delivery from the total consumption. Consumption implies the complete distribution of staple food made impartially and economically based on the standard of the minimum amount necessary to support every individual in JAPAN.

If the distribution proves to be just and impartial, SCAP will permit the import of staple food. Therefore, in order to save the people form impending starvation it is necessary that no make suitable dispositions which will win the confidence of SCAP. Considering this necessity, we feel that the rice delivery which should be most active in this period of the year is extremely unsatisfactory. Accordingly the reason the government wants to encourage delivery by resorting to compulsory measures can be understood.

However, the government's policy of resorting to compulsory measures is quite unpopular. Some observers claim that it will not be fruitful, even though forcibly carried out, because the former system of rice delivery was [illegible]created and awkwardly fulfilled. This argument is most effective. Control by the people, a plan for improvement of the former's quotas and other new plans and measure have been offered. These are constructive criticisms of the failure in the government's policy, and serve as good references.

Others say that the government should, for the time being, raise proceducers' rice prices, and send students and other inhabitants of the areas of consumption areas of production, especially to the villages which displayed unsatisfactory delivery results. Also measures to promote an increased production of necessities for farmers should be carried out promptly and completely, keeping pace with the enforcement of the control of rice supply. These are measure which we also advocate.

As to the raising of the rice price, there may be those who are fearful of the increase of subsidies needed to make up the price differences. However, the present situation defies such monetary consideration,

EDITORIAL SERIES: 355 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

being vitally concerned with the matter of life or death for the people.

We are now confronted with the urgent problem of maintaining the country's social order. When we think of this, we want the government to resort to drastic measure in raising the producers' prices which have been too low. This is the fundamental requisite to encourage rice delivery.

No matter how good a measure it may be, if it is carried out promptly throughout the country, and does not result in the actual delivery of rice, it is almost meaningless. Measures for next year, and a permanent system should, of course, be considered apart from this. The rice supply must not be too late. Its effect must not be limited to particular [illegible]. From the first, the most important matter in the relation between demand and supply of rice is the just and impartial distribution of an adequate quantity, at the right place and the right time.

At this time, we must make all the people co-operate in delivering rice along the lines of the government's plan. The bad habits of bureaucratic control must be corrected, and the exercise of penal punishment must, of course, be limited to extreme cases, but in the effort for rice delivery, all the people must co-operate to break the bottleneck and achieve results.

The Social Democratic Party, which advocated people's control of rice delivery, has already changed its policy and decided to set up s[illegible]th supply and distribution by the reform of the existing system without practicing people's control. If rice delivery displays positive results, and the import of staple feeds is carried out smoothly, the farmers will have no reason to delay their rice crops. At this junction, all the people must co-operate in rice delivery without argument.

Full Translation:

It may be said that making clear the difference between a known and an unknown matter is a scientific attitude. In the study and editing of history, what is most demanded by the times is the scientific attitude. By the frank opinions concerning history which have been exchanged between Education Minister ABE and Brigadier General Ken R. DYKE, this sense is deepened further. In the past, the Puritans stepped forward to begin their own history ignoring that of Europe. The present Americans, who are the descendants of these Puritans, therefore, must feel impatient at the attitude of the present Japanese, who are needlessly adhering to the past. However, it must also be recognized as a fact that JAPAN was defeated, even though the Japanese instinctively stick to the past. To accept this frankly and take measures to meet this situation will be a scientific attitude. It I very favorable for us that mutual understanding on this point I likely to have been deepened by the talk between Education Minister ABE and Brigadier General DYKE.

Regarding the possession of the Japanese KURILE Islands by the SOVIET UNION, AMERICA has protested that it is temporary, but RUSSIA has claimed permanent possession. From the view-point of international law, all such problems will have to be settled by a peace treaty. But now, although it is usual, we can not help but be disgusted at the Government's careless ness for not perceiving that the cession of Japanese territory has already been discussed at the CRIMES Conference last February, for the sake of diplomacy, it is not sufficient to say that one could do nothing about it be cause one knew nothing of what was going on.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 355 (Continued)

Full Translation:

Reckless Procedure of the Transportation Ministry.

I flatly oppose the increase in railway fares and urge serious reconsideration on the part of the authorities concerned. At the same time, advocate the organization a united front to campaign against them in order to oblige the government to withdraw such an outrageous, irresponsible order.

The authorities give out, as one reason, the improvement of conditions and increase in salaries. This is nothing but a treacherous maneuver of bureaucracy aimed at separation and antagonism between the general public and the railway operators They count as another reason for the rise, the repair and adjustment of war damages and the deficiency of accounts. Nevertheless, insofar as the railway is state property, the salaries should be [illegible]d fairly from the source of direct national taxes. They should not resort to a rise in fares that practically a[illegible]unts to a uniform taxation of the people. It is the most adequate measure and is consistent with social justice to turn the national revenue from property taxation for the necessary fund.

The Minister of Transportation declared that fares occupy 'merely' two per cent of the people's expense. Whereas, the current fares themselves are by no means a small burden to the public. However, the key-point of the problem is that this increase in fares will scutely stimulate a rise in the prices of commodities, with the result of bringing profit to production capitalists. Provided we bow down to their recklessness, things will turn out just as the reactionary sabotaging officials wish. As a result, they will drive the life of the people into a more wretched condition.

For the reasons mentioned above. I protest to the Government, and at the same time propose a people's federated front against the increase in railway fares.

(CHI[illegible]-Ken, NOGUCHI)

The Total Increase in Charges of Season Tickets.

The general increase in fares that amounts to some three times more than the current ones, and the increase in charges of season tickets will no doubt deal a fatal blow to salaried workers. If the Ministry of Transportation is one part of the Government, why do they not deliberately raise fares, only after they have striven, for the stabilization of the nation's life? Such recklessness should be absolutely prohibited for them as to neglect their duties and drive, of their own accord, the great majority of the nation to the verge of death. Their very indifference is ascribable to the fact that they have the privilege of fare-free travel all over the country. Thus, they leave the suffering of others out of account.

The method to call these scoundrels to account is the deprive them of this privilege, and let them also buy season tickets to attend their posts. Men of political parties, [illegible]are enthusiastic in campaigns of abstract theories and absorbed in self-propaganda, why do you not launch out into moment, we are being deprived of the means of transportation that maintain the livelihood of the working masses.

(KYOB SHI-Ku, TAKASE, Hiroshi)

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 355 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Transportation Charges Bring Collapse in Living.

I suffered from air raids, and now an obliged to attend my work from the house of a relation in the country. According to the increase in transportation charges recently announced, I have to pay 662 yen for a six month season ticket an average of over 110 yen a month. This is 77 per cent of my monthly salary of 150 yen, which will result in nothing but ruin.

Is the railway not for the maintenance and development of the nation's life? It can not be a righteous measure to repair carriages by destroying the life of the nation.

([illegible]R[illegible]-Shi, M[illegible], Renz[illegible])

In January, the price of electricity was raised. Meanwhile, since the end of 1944, they collected at the rate of two kilowatts per lamp. However, the real amount of consumption exceeded this by far. Thus, the company will realize enormous unjust profit, if they, by examining indicators, collect charges for this total surplus consumption according to their newly raised figures. The company ought to give out explanation in regard to this problem.

(Letter from a consumer in [illegible]KI)

The campaign by the operators connected with an enterprise that affects the public interest should follow the example of the dispute in the KEISEI Tran Company. Perceiving their attitude, the nation will become a powerful supporter of them. It is favorable that the disputants of the KANTO Electric Company held a week of extra-special service. I wish, through the sincere carrying out of this service that they banish the rumor that services are not rendered except in return for commodities or money. In our district, the electric light is interrupted night after night. Moreover, the operators in change of inner lines have not appeared since the completion of the work for electric heaters two months age. It is truly miserable to witness children weeping and crying in cold and darkness, unable to make use of their installations.

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