Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0365, 1946-02-05.

Full Translation:

Whether or not the UNO organization is the proper organization to achieve a world-wide democratic front, it is interesting to note that the popular front in individual countries bids fair to be successful.

Recently, in FRANCE, to a at the crisis caused by the resignation of DEGAULLE, the Socialist and Communist Parties joined forces behind Felix GOUIN, president of the Socialist Party, and successfully elected him head of the government. The two parties then combined with the French Republican party to form a conditions cabinet, and thus solved the French political crisis. This is indeed, a great success for the United democratic front; and these are similar movements in BELGIUN, ROUMANIA, and GERYANY. Even in ENGLAND the same tendency is evident, although the attempts to unite the Labor and Communist parties ended unsuccessfully.

The most important tendency all over the world is to forget small differences, and to solve important matters by the simple process of majority rule. A good example is the success of the CHINA consultation conference, which, in spite of many difficulties, succeed in reorganizing the army and in rafting the constitution. At the MOSCOW conference the UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, and RUSSRA made great strides towards international peace by disregarding petty differences such as the IRAN problem and the problem of the DARDANELLES.

In our country the same trend is evident, although there is considerable friction, and both silos are still in the mud-slinging stage. The turning point in this political trend of ours is the two mass meetings—the consultation meeting and the people's welcome party for NOZAKA, Sanzo; and the Communist and the Social Democratic Parties are disregarding small differences and striving for a united democratic Government to lead that people out of the present crisis. Thus, it has become certain that this great democratic front, including the democratic organization and even some of the progressive elements of the Liberal party, will be united under the leadership of the two parties. Those are natural world trends, and there is no reason why these same natural trends will not influence the democratic front in JAPAN. Thus the only course for JAPAN and her people's to follow is the way of this democratic front; in order to overcome the burdens of a defeated nation, every party must unite and co-operate.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 365 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

Mr. NOZAKA recently declared that those who oppose the natural world trend would inevitably be crushed. He emphasized the inevitability of the natural trend, and strongly advocated a unified democratic front. Although on the surface there seem to be no obstructions to this natural trend, we cannot deny the fact that there are underground obstacles. The old influences had deep roots, and the political knowledge of the masses remains unchanged.

Democracy in JAPAN, although formally and theoretically advanced, in practice has made but little real progress. Basically, all the lower forms of organizations have remained unchanged. Even some of the various newly organized labor unions have been unmarked, and their true purposes revealed. The fact is that the people have little interest in any democratic movements, because of the common deterioration of their moral ideas which has followed defeat in the war. These facts indicate the slow progress of democracy In JAPAN.

In the coming general election, which will in large measure determine whether or not JAPAN is to recover from her defeat, we must emphasize the necessity of establishing the united democratic front. This task belongs not only to the champions of democracy, but to thee entire nation. We look with envy upon ENGLANB, whose Labor party overwhelmed the Conservative party headed by Mr. CHURCHILL, and we envy even more the gentle, fair, and high common sense of the English people, who led their country to its present position. Mere envy, of course, is worthless, and we Japanese still have much to learn.

Full Translation:

Democratization of politics arid economy is the foremost problem for our nation since the end of the war. It is a task which should be achieved by our people, without waiting for the action of the Allied Powers. However, it is not necessarily easy to clarify the true meaning of democratization of politics and economy practically as well as theoretically, as seen from the intention of the Allied Powers that JAPAN should have her own democracy as does the UNITED STATES of AMERICA and ENGLAND. Such being the case, it is of no use merely to imitate others on to be opportunitist[illegible]. We have to devise such democracy as will be best suited for the condition of our country and racial character, and build on it.

However, aside from such fundamental elements as of the political and economic structures, democratization is also necessary in everyday things, and can be put into effect immediately. Although they should have been effected already, as yet many anachronistic, undemocratic precedents and habits are found everywhere. Recently, congestion in the facilities of communication defies imagination everywhere in our country. Such hallucination as the idea that facilities of communication are inevitably congested or that congestion is a fundamental requisite of any normal vehicle has become common or is judged reasonable. No reflection or effort has ever been put forward. Those who work at office in cities use up a large part of their energy and time in travel and those, who live far from their native places can mover attend their parents' death beds. Of course, we well know that such congestion has resulted from the overdriving and damage of the war as well as the increase in the number of passengers and particularly from the fact that the present coal shortage is hampering the work of the long

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 365 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

distance trains. However, we can not but suspect the authorities who neglect their entrusted mission to transport comfortably passengers, without distinction of these who attend to office or passengers over long distances.

Wile it may be asking too much to expect from them comfortable transportation under the present conditions, we are doubtful as to whether they are exerting any effort in order to alleviate the confusion and the congestion. Far from it, they seem to justify the congestion and are inclined to hold the passengers responsible for it. We can not but suspect them of lacking sincerity and effort to relieve the confusion as soon as possible. Even if supplies of material and labor are in a very unsatisfactory condition, it is a lamentable fact that no improvement has been made in the communication facilities since the end of the war. In addition, the authorities never made such an apology or explanation that will persuade the people and, are indifferent to the frequent occurrence of accidents. Likewise their emergency measures are not carried out in a satisfactory manner. The same can be said of the freight trains, as a matter of course.

For a long time the communication system has been broken down. As yet, a long distance telegram requires several days and the telephone is not easily available. The tie-up accident of the tram-cars, which has boon most frequent recently in TOKYO and other cities, is giving, serious trouble to the livelihood of the residents. The Government's measures for amendment and repair in such-cases is usually ineffective Not only that, it is not uncommon that unlawful dealings are made, taking advantage of such occasions. The wonder is that such undemocratic dealings as the above are particularly conspicuous in Government enterprises or in public business, such as communications, the mail services and electric enterprises. These days even the black marketeers, who are disreputable among the people, are careful to pay compliments to the buyers. "While the attitude of those who are engaged in public business to serve the people is far from kindly in general. Such an undemocratic attitude is found not only in the public business, but more particularly, is it prevalent in tea Government offices.

At any rate, such an undemocratic attitude by those engaged in the communication, the mail facilities and the electric enterprises should be, first of all, removed. It needs no theoretical discussion about democracy, because those facilities must serve the people every day. We think also, that improvement can be made immediately in such facilities. We, the people, do not wish to have those facilities improved in such a manner as will satisfy all the people, but urge the authorities not to neglect the principle that those facilities exist for the benefit of the common people. Any discussion is useless. Democratize those facilities immediately!

Full Translation:

The delivery of rice will never reach 100% if the Government threatens to use coercion, or political parties contrive to please the farmers in anticipation of the coming election.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 365 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

If this is clear, it is better to change the policy boldly. I advance a tentative plan for public criticism. First of all, reduce assignments to about 70 per cent of the current level. We shall leave the surplus of 30% to the disposal of farmers to consume at home, or, by instituting a free market under Government jurisdiction.

This would not be a black market. Therefore, they could openly sell rice cheaper than at the black market. For instance, if the black market price is 2,000 yen for four to of rice, it could be set at half of that or 1,000 yen. Honest farmers can escape the stain of black market transactions. We should study the example of free markets in SOVIET RUSSIA which flourish successfully and are widely utilized.

The delivery price of rice, 150 yen per koku is contradictory to actual circumstances. If we raise it to 500 yen per koku in line with the plan of the Social Democratic Party, it is still not a high price, only five yen per sho. To use rice in place of money to barter with is not unreasonable, when considering the farmers livelihood. However, there in no doubt that this is a factor which detains delivery.

Incidentally, the markets in question should be provided with plenty of commodities and necessities indispensable to the farmers. Their prices should, be proportioned to that of rice in the same market. This measure was adopted in CHINA with fruitful results.

It is not the aim of all the farmers to be avaricious and drive the whole Nation to starvation, which will lead to their own ruin in the end. The Government itself, which stands for the consumers, should develop an appropriate policy before it demonstrates its power in vain.

DTSTRIBUTION "X"

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