Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0130, 1945-12-29.

Summary:

New items of the Revised Peers Ordinance have been made public and the method of returning courts ranks has been opened. Baron SUMITOMO, Kichizaomon, who is one of the three greatest ZAIBATSU, has undertaken the procedure of petitioning for the return of title and court rank. His petition is addressed to the Minister of the Imperial Household, ISHIWATA.

Summary:

The ex-Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Marquis KIDO, Koichi, who has been arrested as a war criminal suspect, submitted his resignation as a member of the House of Peers to the Upper House on 26 December.

Full Translation:

In reply to the proposal of the Communist Party on 26 December to co-operate in order to overcome the food shortage the Social-Democratic Party replied to the effect that it is proper that both parties solve the food problem separately from their own standpoints with out cooperating. This reply was in accordance with the discussion and decision of the standing executive committee on 27 December.

Full Translation:

AOMORI

Prefectural Governor KAWAI spoke as follows: "The people are rather indifferent to the general election. The Prefectural authority is determined to enlighten the female voters through the Prefectural Women's Association, established after the termination of the war. The Social-Democratic Party is now discussing the war responsibility of present members of the Diet, but the people in general do not seem to be concerned. In ACMORI, uniting with the Social-Democratic Party from the begenning the Communist Party is going to participate in the election campaign without apparently displaying communistic idealogy. In this sense, the people's front has already been formed. The former

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members of the Diet are all expected to stand as candidates, with the Progressive Party seemingly the dominant party."

"Although the major electoral district system has "been adopted, the constituency is divided into two partys, TSUGARU and the southern district; consequently, there is no change in the situation. Therefore, new candidates are apt to be shut out, but they say that at least one new candidate will represent the Social-Democratic Party."

GUM[illegible]A

Prefectural Governor TAKAHASHI spoke as follows: "I am very glad that the residents are working hard to reconstruct GUMMA - Ken by their own hands. As long as they feel like trying, I believe it is possible to overcome the food shortage and any other difficulties. Recently the Prefectural Assembly determined to protect the national structure. I finished the business arrangements for the execution of the general election on 25 December, but I do not see any unusual enthusiasm for the election, as its official date is not yet announced. I am glad that the female intelligentsia is greatly concerned with the election and feeling, it their social duty to make the most of suffrage. Moreover, the Prefectural authorities are determined to give assistance by co-operating with the organs of public opinion to convince the people of the significance of the coming general election."

"The Communist Party has not much influence over the people, for only four or five hundred persons were present at the general meeting of the Party's branch held on 8 December. It is possible that the resolution protecting the national structure, passed by the Prefectural Assembly, is the opposition against the abolition of the Emperor system mentioned, at this meeting."

EHIME

Prefectural Governor TOYOSHIMA spoke as follows: "I am going to enlighten the people, but the question is whether the people will become concerned with the election, because, in general, people are busy with living problems and quite indifferent to the election. On the other hand, they are inclined to think that the former members of the Diet should accept war responsibility. Former members are also keenly sensing that responsibility, and the greater part of them have expressed their intention to retire. It is said that many members of the Prefectural Assembly of the same parties will perhaps run for the Diet as their successors."

"The Progressive Party is at present dominating the other parties; the Social-Democratic Party is not as yet in motion, the Communist Party is hardly active. The number of members from this prefecture is nine. As old members retire, many new figures will announce their candidature, so the number of candidates will presumably be over 20. In spite of the newly adopted major electoral district system, the constituencies seem to remain almost unchangeable, because the members of the Prefectural Assembly are going to stand as candidates in the long-established spheres of influence of their own parties."

HIROSHIMA

Prefectural Governor KUSUSE spoke as follows: "The natives of HIROSHIMA-Ken are highly concerned with the general election as a

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reaction against oppression during the war, and youths and teachers are especially active politically. The attitude of female voters (is very realistic and a little indifferent to the election, compared with those of TOKYO, OSAKA, and other cities. This is ascribed to the great damage done by the atomic bomb, storms, and floods in HIAOSHIMA-Ken. The movement of each party and the problem of political war responsibility of members is apparently not as yet recognized, but former members seem to be waiting to see what happens in regard to SCAP's attitude on war responsibility.

Many natives of HIROSHIMA emigrated to HAWAII and CALIFORNIA, but they have lately been repatriated and are seen even in remote villages. This, together with the stationing of the UNITED STATES Army hers, strengthens the democratic trend, and the old conservative constituencies are likely to be changed. Furthermore, the people are free from of the calamity of war and damages from storm and flood. Consequently, the movement of the Social-Democratic Party is worth notice. The Communist Party is apparently not yet active.

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