Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0195, 1946-01-17.

The work of reorganization of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet was completed on the evening of 12 January. After receiving the approval of SCAP at 1100 on 13 January, the investiture took place in the presence of the Minister of Justice IWATA.

On the night of 13 January, the Cabinet was announced as follows: Privy Councillor, with the junior grade of the Second Rank, with The First Order of Merit, MITSUCHI, Chuzo, has been appointed Home Minister and Transportation Minister. Director of the First High School, with the senior grade of the Fourth Rank, with the Second Order of Merit, ABE, Yoshishige, has been appointed Minister of Education - With the senior grade of the Fourth Rank, with the Third Order of Merit, SOEJIMA, Senpachi, has been appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

Full Translation:

Antagonistic atmosphere among young and active officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, surrounding the inauguration of the new Minister of Agriculture SOEJIMA, grew very tense yesterday. In addition to the prevalent opinion that a swift and drastic change of agricultural administration is not feasible on account of the character of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet itself, the emotional element based upon the dissatisfaction with the upper class staffs of the Ministry plays an important role in this movement. The whole Ministry now favors the formation of a common front. The developments in the situation during the last few days have attracted a great deal of attention.

They insist that, from the professional point of view as officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it is absolutely impossible to tide over the present crisis and that there is no alternative for themselves but to starve in the long run. Thus, they advocate the prompt and decisive establishment of Government offices based upon true democracy, and the abolition of the existing compulsory allotment system in the prosecution of rice shipment. In the consumer field, too, they propose to realize fair distribution and prosecution of delivery by mobilizing both consumer[illegible]and farmers for its operation. Although such plans were several times submitted to the higher staffs even during the war, it has been invariably shelved by staffs of the director class due to their principle of hushing everything up. It is generally believed that the recent ministerial reorganization gave an opportunity for this seething dissatisfaction to burst out in the form of an opposition movement. Consequently, it is remarkable that this opposition movement is not the expression of personal enmity toward, Mr. SOEJIMA, himself, but the expression of their earnest desire for a new agricultural administration.

POLITICAL SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Full Translation:

Concerning the fulfillment of the directives regarding the dispersion of rightist bodies and the removal of militaristic leaders from Government offices and public organizations, the Government has already approved an Imperial ordinance to accomplish this. However, the solution to this problem has been retarded by reason of the present political unrest. However, the Government, having completed its reorganization of the Cabinet, has decided to make public the practical measures for the removal of the militaristic leaders.

Full Translation:

The staff of the Ministry of Agriculture arid Forestry held a mass meeting at 1230 on 15 January in the office, consulting on the following three items: 1. Improvement in the treatment of Governmental officials; 2. Democratization of Governmental offices; and 3. Measures to relieve the food crisis.

As a result, the following decision has been made. Each staff will receive an extra allowance of 500 yen per man for the winter; a temporary allowance of 100 yen for supporting each person's family; an increase in salary of employees and staff members by 500 per cent; the special treatment of employees who must drive automobiles on Sundays and holidays and the payment of 30 yen per day for that.

Concerning the democratization of Governmental offices, the retirement from posts of vice-ministers, directors, and the chiefs of the sections of the secretarist who are responsible for the war is demanded as well as the removal of those who abused their official powers, etc. Such above-mentioned demands are to be made of Agriculture and Forestry Minister SOEJIMA in the near future.

Full Translation:

Together with Vice-Minister OMURA and Governor of the TOKYO Metropolis FUTIMUMA, Home Minister MITSUCHI now intends to change the governors of various prefectures throughout the country. The Home Minister does not indicate distinctly the number of those affected by the directives of SCAP, and intends to bring about the change by voluntary resignations of the officials. By such a method it seems that the Home Minister will effect the clearing of Home office personnel, and stability in the Government will be achieved very soon. The Governors who were chiefs of local Branches of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, and other officials, will submit their resignations. With such a purpose in view, moderately large scale changes will be carried out. Futhermore, the changes will, in general, be effected within a week or so.

Full Translation:

Ordered by SCAP to do away with militaristic leaders from the Government

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POLITICAL SERIES: 195 (Continued)

ITEM 6 (Continued)

and other public agencies, the Government has been drafting a list of their names, soon to be completed. The following representatives are those affected by the directive in the House of Peers, and some are already detained:

• 1.Imperial Princes are excluded.
• 2.Princes: TCHIJO, Sanctaka; TOKUGAW, Kuniyori; TOKUDAIJI, Saneatsu; OYAMA, Haku; SHIMAZU, Tadashige; and MORI, Motomichi.
• 3.Marquises: INOUYE, Saburo; IKEDA, Chuhaku; TOKUGAWA, Yorisada; TOKUGAWA, Yoshichika; DAIGO, Jadashige; DATE, Muneaki; KACHO, Hakushin; YAMANOUCHI, Toyokage; MATSUDAIRA, Yasumasa; KOMATSU, Teruhisa; and SAIGO, Jutoku.
• 4.Counts: HASHIMOTO, Sanchiro; HOTTA, Shogo; TOKUGAMA, Sokei; YAMAMOTO, Kiyoshu; KODAMA, Hideo; and MIZOGUCHI, NAOSUKE.
• 5.Viscounts: ITO, Hiromaru; INOUE, Kyoshiro; HATANO, Saburo; DOKI, Akir: OOKA, Tadatsura; OSHIMA, Rikutaro; OKABE, Chokei; KAWASE, Makoto; TANI, Giichi; ODA, Shingo; TACHIBANA, Tanetada; SOGA, eutio; MATSUPAIRA, Tadatoshi; MATSUPAIRA, Yasuo; YONEDA, Kuniomi; AKITA, Shigehi; KYOGOKU, Koshu; and SHISHITO, Isao.
• 6.Barons: IWAKURA, Michitomo; HONDA, Masaki; OI, Narimoto; OKURA, Kimimochi; OKUDA, Goro; MUKAIYAMA, Kin; YABUKI, Shozo; MAEDA, Isamu; YASUHO, Seishu; ASADA, Ryoitsu; MISU, Seiichi; SHIBAYAMA, Masao; SHIMAZU. Tadahiko; and SFKI, Yoshitoshi.
• 7.
• 7.Imperial nominated representatives: ISHIWATARI, Sotaro; HATTA, Yoshiaki; SAKAVISHI, Rihachuo; HORIKIRI, Zenjiro; HOSHINO, Naoki; TOGO, Shigetoku; TOKUTONI, Tichiro; OHARA, Nao; OTA, Kozo; ONO, Ryokuichiro; OGURA, Seigo; KAWADA, Retsu; SHORIKI, Matsutaro; YOSHINO, Shinji; YOSHIZAWA, Kinkichi; TANABE, Harnmichi; TAKI, Masao; TSUGITA, Daisaburo; YASUI, Eiji; MARUYAMA, Tsumkichi; FUJIWARA, Gingiu, GODO, Takuo; GOTO, Fumio; KODAMA, Kenji; USAMI, Katsuo; ENDO, Ryusaku; ABE, Nobuyuki; ARITA, Hachiro; AKAIKE, No; YUKI, Toyotaro; MIYATA, Mitsuo; KATTA, Shukei; SHIMOMURA, Ko; HIROSE, Hisatada; and SENKOKU, Yotaro.
• 9.
• 8.Representatives of highest tax-payers: ISONO, Yoko; OHASHI, Teiyu; OKUMURA, Kizo; and MIHASHI, Shiroji.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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