Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0369, 1946-02-06.

Full Translation:

The Far Eastern Committee headed by Major General McCoy now on the way to AMERICA, seems to be gradually coming around to the opinion that an early removal of the occupation forces will have an unfavorable effect on the democratization of JAPAN and the stabilization of her politics. This apprehension appears to be entertained by most of the correspondent in JAPAN including the LONDON Times, since we often see articles manifesting this apprehension in European and American newspapers.

We, the Japanese, must pay utmost attention to this fact. Since we accepted the Potsdam Declaration, we have been firmly determined, to realize political democracy, exerting our best effeorts for that objective It is true that some of our old ways in politics, which had become our second nature, have not been, cast away, but at the same time we are doin everything to abandon our old ways for new ones. This is a belief common to all of our people.

However, as is well known, a universal claim for democracy existed throughout Europe after the first world War. Taking GERMANY as an example, a new Constitution was promulgated just after the end of the First World War. This notwithstanding, it was less than ten years before FASCISM, which is quite the opposite of democracy, arose in ITALY. This notoious system spread in all directions and finally brought HITLER to the fore. The English and American people are impress[illegible]by this fact even now. It is very natural that they should be resolved to take as cautious an attitude a possible not to repeat their past error. This is the reason for persistent arguments in favor of a longterm occupation.

Under these circumstances, we believe, our extreme seriousness in the task of democratization should be shown to the whole world. For this aim, the general elections, which are to be held on 31 March, should be executed in such a way as will have the national will most freely and fairly expressed. In the constitutional reform, too, democracy should be realized both in the procedure of the reform and in its substance as much as in the general elections. It is truly desirable that the constitutional reform should be realized at the earliest opportunity, and we fully appreciate the efforts which the present cabinet is exerting for that purpose. However, we must remember that the present cabinet is as it were, a midwife to help a new democratic cabinet came into power through the general elections. In this meaning it is somewhat doubtful if the present cabinet is qualified to introduce to the Diet a reform bill for the Constitution, which will provide for the fundamental principle of national Politics. We do not mean, however, that it is unnecessary for the present cabinet to make a careful inquiry into the question in order to be ready for decision if it is introduced. Be that as it may, in view of the importance of the problem, we sincerely hope that the Cabinet will act in conformity with the spirit of democracy on formal problems such as deliberation, decision, etc, as wall as on the more substantial problems.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 369 (Continued)

Full Translation:

At present, unemployment, the food crisis and inflation are the most vital questions not only to individuals, but to the state. Both the government and the people should not neglect these problems. Exaggeration may serve to let the people realize the importance of matter, bat the effect will be only temporary. If an argument or a policy is based on exaggerated or wrong figures, a wrong conclusion would be reached and the nation will be led to misconceptions. For instance, so long as the Welfare Ministry's measures against unemployment are mapped out on the basis of the exaggerated number of ten million jobless persons it will fail to hit the mark.

A simple and loose argument is as availbale to us as an exaggeration. Recently such arguments were rampant among us, for instance, in regard to the redemption of rational loans or war munition indemnities benefit war industrialists who pocketed enormous profits during the war alone. The view evidently comes from ignorance of the organic connetion or structure of the present economic organization. It goes without saying that the enormous amount of money loaned by banking institutions to war industiralists consists mostly of the messes's deposits in banking institutions. Although the rich may be benefited by war munition indemnities, it is undesirable that most of the nation must suffer a loss in order to prevent the rich from benefiting themselves. So far it remains only simple and loose, an argument can be justified, but it is dangeous enough if it is erroneous. If an erroneous view is supported by the masses, the right policy is hampered.

Every political party with the general election at hand is now bent upon growing influential. Consequently, opinions or arguments as flatter the general masses are prevalent. Every political party's attitude toward the governments's coercive measure for the farmers' delivery of rice indicates this tendency. Needless to say, the Government's coercive measure is not desirable, bat it is dangerous to allow farmers to assume a more non-cooperative attitude if we, under the situation, flatlyyreject the government's coercive measure without any alternative. As for inflation, such arguments are prevailing, as rather sarve to stimulate the inflationary process. We must take strong action against viciously behavior by the rich, but it is not right to ascribe the inflation to them alone. The masses may blindly swallow ingratiating arguments, but they are dangerous. Under the current stringent situation, we earnestly desire good medicine which is bitter to the taste. We must emphasize that exaggerated expressions, loose argument and time-serving attituedes are all not only useless for, but are obstacles to the re-construction of a democratic JAPAN or the establishment of a peaceful post-war economy.

Full Translations:

The partial revival of the textile industry has been a heart - felt desire of every person who has endeavored for the reconstruction of defeated JAPAN. In this sense, the importation of 200,000 tons of raw cotton, permitted by SCAP, is a godsend in these dark days; it makes as feel quite relieved, especially in view of the previous food import permission. Even if it is restricted in part or in quantity, it is a fundamental pre-requisite to reviving Japanese economy so that the way for production is gradually opened.

According to the preliminary surveys by the Committee of International Textile Exports, which is now in TOKYO operating under SCAP, the Japanese cotton textile industry has been reduced to only 25 per cent of its pre-war productive capacity.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 369 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Although the other 75 Per cent of all cotton spindle and weaving machinery was scrapping in a drastic opine program carried out by the Government during the war, Japanese fighting strength was not improved in the least.

From only this point, we can see that the Munitions Ministry and the Board of Planning at that time had devised their work standard from mistaken investigations. The course of a peaceful JAPAN should he charted by a more precise compass, and if a wrong coarse is taken this time, it will he impossible for Japanese economy to be revived.

It is historical sarcasm of a kind that JAPAN's industry was developed from cotton to iron and from light industry to heavy industry. However, when we reflect upon the extent that our heavy industry was independent in the past, we have no particular reason to be discouraged.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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