Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0186, 1946-01-17.

Full Translation:

The Communist and Social-Democrat Parties are demanding the resignation en bloc of the Present Cabinet. Mr. KUROKI, member of the Communist Staff, disclosed his opinion as follows on 13 January and requested the general resignation of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet in spite of its reorganization:

"The Present Cabinet, which assumes an egoietic and shameless attitude, takes no notice of the shortage of food and coal, is unable to make any improvement or give any sure means of assistance to the living conditions of the people. Though the Cabinet has to remain for the general election, it will be a most urgent necessity to establish a people's republican government, with true democrats as its staff members. On welcoming our comrade, Mr. NOZAKA, we are determined to form a popular front, concentrating all the people's strength on the solution of the various problems of the present. The birth of a Cabinet which can find a way out of the Present conditions of starvation is a more urgent necessity than the carrying on of the general election."

Extracts:

On welcoming Mr. NOZAKA, Mr. KUROKI, the Chief of the Office, told the attitude of the Party as follows:

"We must show our deep admiration for the activities of Mr. NOZAKA, who has been abroad engaging in the political straggle and has exhibited wonderful executive powers. We are very grateful that we can unite with iron discipline and a spirit of comradeship and do our utmost for the establishment of the democratic revolution in JAPAN. We saw his decision in the press that he would work for the Party as an ordinary member, and we admire his modest attitude.

"The Communists intend to recommend him for the executive leadership. He will run in the general election as faress circumstances permit."

Full Translation:

On 4 January the directive was issued for the banishment of militarists. After so much discussion as to a reorganization

POLITICAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

or the resignation en bloc, it was only on the evening of the 11 January that the fundamental decision was reached that the Cabinet would carry on by reorganization. In spite of the pressing circumstances which do not permit a single day to be wasted in dealing with questions of food and inflation, the fact that the political situation was left in such a confusion and that business was kept at a standstill that it indicates it is an error to leave the question of the bloodless revolution in the hands of the existing ruling classes, who adhere to the present statusquo. It is a natural tendency, therefore, that demands for the formation of a popular front are becoming more audible in the streets, and it is noteworthy that the present state towards which public opinion is gradually leaning makes political stabilization or economic restoration impossible.

After the SUZUKI Cabinet both the HIGASHIKUNI and SHIDEHARA Governments, formed after the termination of the war, had their raisons d'etre respectively and have filled progressive roles at the times of their formation. However, their progressiveness has a certain limit according to their standpoints, and in the end each turned reactionary after having been left behind by the current of public opinion. The cause of the compulsory reorganization of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet is in a way, the existence of several members who have come under the category of the directive, but fundamentally it could no more fulfill the progressive roles if it remained as it was. That it has turned into a stronghold for the preservation of old influences is simply testified by its endeavors during the past few days in its zealous attempt to remain in power by reorganization, and particularly to preserve bureaucratic elements of the Homo Office.

The removal of the old influences and construction of a democratic JAPAN cannot be accomplished merely by the directive. It is absolutely necessary to break the militarists, who, having changed color overnight; are shouting for democracy, deceiving or inciting the populace and planning counter attacks in the days to come. Actually, the Government, notwithstanding the directive on the 14th, intended to carry on its policy as it was since its formation, until after the general election, and for that purpose tried to avoid the confusion resulting from reorganization of the personnel. The consequence was unnecessary commotion and delay in executing the directive, thereby making the democratic tendency an ambiguous one.

The movements of the various political parties concerning the directive, contrary to the Government's passive attitude, was very positive and vigorous. Of course the parties which held many old leaders, have received a severe blow, but those which have their footholds among the populace, or at least take such standpoints as the Social-De-mocrate and Communists, will welcome a new dawn, a real change from their bitter experience luring the years of oppression. Even those parties, however, are not permitted to sit quietly enjoy the optimistic forecast as to how much support they can acquire from the masses for several reasons; firstly, because of the old leaders' stubborn resistance against an encroachment into their constituencies, and, secondly, the necessity for their strong stand in the prevailing state of affairs, which is truly critical to the nations life.

In other words, even after the dismissal of the old leading

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POLITICAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

strata, the stronghold in which they entrench themselves is still solid, the scheme for transfer of which has already been reported. It is not only a question of a sphere of political influence against the masses whose political consciences is still low, but, as is often pointed out, the desire of preserving the old influence is being made manifest in conscious or unconscious sabotage of the various departments of administration, production, and circulation. The combat for the expulsion of the old leaders necessarily resounds with the endeavors for constructing new orders in the various departments.

What is noteworthy about the second point is the question of the formation of a common front, repeatedly proposed by the Communist Party to the social-Democratic Party. The point has not yet materialized up till now, but the masses do not cease to demand such a common front as based, on the ideas for a popular front. Some view that for the requirements of the masses and for harmony after their combination, the proposed common front is not impossible. However, the masses do not find any other meaning than that of the splitting and weakening of their strength in strife as had happened among proletariat parties 20 years ago' and which may be duplicated at the present moment. The people's conception of politics and political measures is to straighten up one by one these existing vital questions of life or death. In order to execute such politics they long for the appearance of a united force in a strong and genuine popular front, as early as possible, based on popular organizations firmly rooted and having a political stabilizing center.

There should be a fundamental difference between strife under oppression and strife after acquiring legitimate rights. At a time when the old personnel have been swept away and the old institutions are being shaken from their very foundations by the directive and when the people are starving, as victims of the greed of some propertied classes, the duty imposed on the political parties, which maintain that they have foothold among the people, is, first, to enable these people to live, and, next, to prepare against reactions. These are the duties which are also imposed on the popular front in our country.

Postwar countries are further strengthening the popular fronts by making the populace self-conscious and setting up Governments by the people and for the people. The popular fronts were the motivating power guiding the Allied countries to victory. Only a popular front can protect the people and bring about real peace and perpetuate it.

Summary:

Following his discussion at the official residence of the Premier with Chief Secretary TSUGITA yesterday, the Minister of Commerce said, "Some people charge me with coming under the terms of the latest directive because of my having been a councillor on the Imperial Rule Assistance Board, but as you know the post was only nominal, and I never did take an active part, the then chief secretary ISHIWATA having only placed me on the list. However, if I am affected by the directive merely because I was holding the post of a councillor, I am willing to quit in deference to the government's wishes."

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POLITICAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

Full Translation:

A national mass meeting for aid to compatriots abroad was held at HIBIYA Park, 13 January. The action was taken as a result of reports on conditions made by recently repatriated Japanese.

Resolutions were drafted to be submitted to SCAP and the Government; and visits to the SOVIET UNION and CHINA Embassies were planned. The following proposals will be presented for the Government of the Soviet Union:

• 1.Removal of restrictions on repatriation of Japanese in MANCHURIA, KOREA, and SAKHALIN.
• 2.
• 2.Protection for Japanese living in the above areas.

Proposals to be submitted to the Government of the Republic of CHINA are:

• 1.Permission for permanent residency of Japanese now liting in CHINA.
• 2.Permission for Japanese residents to continue in their professions.
• 3.Prompt repatriation of Japanese in MANCHURIA.

DISTRIBUTION X"

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