Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0203, 1946-01-19.

Summary:

The formal Allied reply arrived on the morning of 13 August. It stated that the authority of the Japanese Emperor and Government was, according to the POTSDAM document, to be placed under Allied control; it further stated what our Emperor and Government had to do immediately upon acceptance of the terms and contained the remark that the ultimate form of Government in JAPAN was to be decided through the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.

The question was whether this last mentioned passage implied an endorsement of our belief that the POTSDAM Terms did not change in the Emperor System. The Foreign Minister and the Premier reported in turn to the Emperor, and the Cabinet held a session at 1300. On this occasion, the Premier was not his old self; instead he insisted on the greatest possible precision on the part of all of the Cabinet members. Apart from the premier 12 out the 15 Cabinet ministers were more or less satisfied with the Allied reply. The remaining three ministers are for fighting to death on the ground that the Allied answer was exceedingly vague. They believed that it would be difficult to maintain the national structure if the war were brought to a conclusion by virtue of our acceptance of the reply. Foreign Minister TOGO, aware of the state of foreign opinion, was anxious not to break off the negotiations then in progress and was told by the Emperor that, while it was desirable to clarify the matter as far as possible, a rupture must be avoided. Therefore, the Foreign Minister took the stand that the Allies were unable to understand Japanese beliefs on the national structure, as past experience had shown, and that too many inquiries by us might endanger the negotiations. The Cabinet discussions lasted until 1900.

During the 11, 12, and 13 August, the Government and the Army were completely dumbfounded. Former premiers, members of the Imperial Family, and Army leaders came to the Palace and gave expression to their fears. It had now become a grave problem as to how the news was to be broached to the people. A section of the Cabinet had originally advocated publication of the current news without delay, but this was dropped owing to the very doubtful attitude of the Army. The chief of the broadcasting station had radioed that the protection of the national structure was to be the last phase of the war, but at the same time a message of the Army Minister to the Armed Forces had gone over the radio which was different in tone, so that the people feared confusion.

I tried in vain to gnash corresponding newspaper reports. I doubt whether Army Minister ANAMI had authorized publication of his message. American newsbroadcasts of 13 August, hinted at Japanese insincerity as indicated by the delayed reply; we countered by appropriate news broadcasts in spite of very heavy Army opposition, and this required courage on the part of the DOMEI personnel.

POLITICAL SERIES: 203 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

About 1500 on 13 August Imperial Headquarters released a. message to the newspapers, of which neither the War Minister nor the chief of Staff had approved, and which ran counter to the policy adopted by the Government. It was at once suppressed by the War Minister so that it did not reach the outside world, hut great trouble would have resulted had we been careless about it.

It was pathetic to see AHAMI worried by the mounting atmosphere of a coup d[illegible]etat. In the Navy absolute quiet prevailed. My bodily fatigue became excessive due to lack of food, but my spirits were kept up by recollecting the Emperor's august face. The composure and activity of the Premier was above praise, and there was no trace of his usual attitude of agreeing with everybody on everything. My father-in-law, General OKADA, encouraged us in every ways.

In the evening of 13 August we received an American news broadcast saying that the Allied reply did not imply that the Allies would always support our Emperor; this became a weapon in the hands of those who wanted to stress the negative tide of the Allied attitude. However, we took the stand that it vas not the task of the Americans but of our people to protect our Emperor, provided that through acceptance of the POTSDAM terms we did not automatically consent to a, request to change the monarchy.

After the cabinet session of the 13th, it was Intended to seek a final solution through another council in the presence of the Emperor, but this was prevented by the strong opposition of the Army, so that everything had to be postponed until the following day. Talks between the Foreign Minister and the chiefs of the Army and Navy staffs, which demanded further investigations on the crucial question of the Emperor, ended without result.

Full Translation:

Everywhere there are loud cries for organizing a. democratic front as the only hopeful way to ease, the present critical situation, and reconstruct a democratic JAPAN. To greet Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo, whose repatriation caused great jubilation, a welcome meeting is now being arranged at the suggestion of Mr. YAMAKAWA, Hitoshi.

The first plan was that the Communist Party and interested members of the Social Democratic Party sponsor it at the KANDA Common Hall (KYORITSU KODO) on 20 January, but this meeting is considered to be only a first step towards organization of a democratic front, so more preparations are necessary. Moreover, this Common Hall is too small to accomodate such mass gathering of labor unions, cultural bodies and other groups willing to participate. Therefore, it was newly decided that "The National Welcome Meeting for our Comrade NOZAKA" will be held at 1300 on 26 January at the HIBIYA Park square.

Messrs. ARAHATA, Kanson, SHIMAGAMI, Zengoro; and KUROKI, Shigenori, have been selected chairmen for the day. Speakers will include Messrs. YAMAKAWA, Hitoshi; TOKUDA, Kyuichi; MIYAMOTO, Kenji; MUHOU, Takanobu; KAMICHIKA, Ichiko; MIZUTANI, Chozaburo; and one or two persons from the Social Democratic Party. They are also arranging that Mr. OZAKI, Yukio, a political veteran whom Mr. NOZAKA respects may attend. We expect that the day when all the people of various parties who are assembled shout for the reconstruction of a new JAPAN and a democratic front will be a memorial day for new JAPAN.

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POLITICAL SERIES: 203 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Full Translation:

At a routine interview with a group of reporters on 17 January, the Communist Party of JAPAN released a statement on the Social Democratic Party and its views on the united front controversy, intensified by the 16 January central executive committee of the social Democrat Party statement.

A number of points in the Communist statement and in Mr. SHIGA, Yoshio's explanation [illegible]of interest. They feel it is impossible to ease the present crisis if the united front is delayed until after the general election, as the Social Democratic Party demands. The Communists look forward to immediate and complete co-operation in reply to Mr. YAMAEAWA, Hitoshi's contention. The Social Democratic Party is planning to become the center or main body of the united democratic front, but the Communist Party hopes to co-operate with other paties, holding similar views on specific issues.

The communist Party demands the establishment of a republican government by the people, but not a proletarian dictatorship such as in SOVIET RUSSIA. The erroneous notion that the communist position on the Emperor System was modified upon Mr. NOZAKA's return, seems to be spreading in some quarters. No such revision exists in the joint statement. It is natural that the policies of our party should develop according to objective conditions. Our policies are transigent. We propose abolition of the Emperor System as a system, and offer the greater part of the imperial estate to the people. Our final decision rests on the peoples vote. we maintain that the Emperor's war responsibility places him in the highest category of war criminals.

Comrade NOZAKA's status in our party is to be decided in the general meeting or through some other such formal means. Until then we have him working as one of our leaders. He is expected to remain in the heedquarters for some time without going out to the various districts, since he is not acquainted with internal affairs on account of his long absence.

Comrade NOZAKA's speech, some people speak ill of our party, but fact reveal that the party is really fighting for the people, and the love for the party by the people is growing daily.

Summary:

The communist Party reissued the statement for an immediate united front in connection with the premature answer of the social Democratic Party on the proposals for a Joint political front. The gist of the Communist statement follows:

In the new statement, the Social Democats are understood to have made clear their attitude by their refusal to accept the communist proposal for a popular front. The social Democrats stated that the party would take the first opportunity after the general election to propose co-operation with the Communists and other parties. It cannot be neglected now, when cries for unity are rising from the masses toward solution of the many urgent problems. Moreover, the formation of a common front is imperative to turn the general election to the advantage of democracy; now is the time to act. They would remain opponents of democracy if they remained hostile to one another.

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POLITICAL SERIES: 203 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

The local branches of both parties, up to now, continued a common struggle in labor unions or farmer's organizations in various districts. The Communists will develop more powerful activities in these fields. The Communists openly report and will help bring about the proposals of YAMAKAWA for the projected preparatory committee of representatives for forming a unified front. There is no doubt about the fundamental principles of the party as is pointed out in the statement. Above all the party clearly denies that it advocates revolution by violence, but maintains that is will make efforts to improve living conditions. The party's aim is to form a republican government by the people, not a government along soviet lines.

Deliberate misinterpretation of NOZAKA's statement that the Communist will grow to be loved by the masses is directed at discrediting the Communists as being dangerous. This is proved by the fact that old men, demobilized service men, and the bereaved families of the war dead from all over the country desire to participate to in the party. The reason is that the party has been earnestly fighting for the general masses in order to solve urgent food problems and to pursue war criminals.

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