Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0262, 1946-02-02.

Summary:

Part II

Chairman: "The present Communist Party has not clearly claimed proletarian dictatorship and the abolition of private property. The Liberal and Progressive Parties seem to feel that its principal tenets must behidden from its platform. Therefore some people say that if the Communist Party reveals its principal stand, the organization of the democratic front may be promoted by mutual understanding".

Mr. KATAYAMA, Tetsu: "Just so. There are many doubts about the relatic between proletarian dictatorship and the Diet and the concrete way of realizing a socialistic or a communistic society, etc. The central executive committee of the Social Democratic Party on 16 January had some doubts about these problems."

Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo: "The Communist Party will soon issue a statement about them, but I think it possible that each party can co-operate with the others in solving the present problems even if it maintains its own practical point of view."

Mr. ARAHATA, Kanson: "I agree with Mr. NOZAKA. Indeed, the agreement on a party platform may be premature as Mr. KATAYAMA says, but it is possible that the Communist and Social Democratic Parties may find a point of agreement by discussing policies at the joint committee. This method will speed up the maturity of the party policies.

Mr. KATAYAMA: "However, the Socialist and Communist Parties were formerly too competitive on the labor problem and tenancy troubles."

Mr. KOZAKA: "Even now?"

Mr. KATAYAMA: "Yes, but not so severe as before. Both parties disagree on the principle of organizing labor unions, tactics and the methods of solution. Therefore a fundamental reconciliation is difficult without an adequate definition if the meaning of a labor union is such and such under the guidance of the Social Democratic Party, and such and such under that of the Communist Party. For example, the Social Democratic prefers to proceed gradually from labor management to workers' participation in the enterprise, and from capitalistic management to socialistic one. The Communist Party is leading workers to claim their own management of companies and factories or to demand five or tenfold increase in pay. Such guidance will lead

POLITICAL SERIES: 262 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

to sabotage of enterprise. So it is dangerous to co-operate with the Communist Party aimlessly."

Mr. ARAHATA: "In foreign countries there are precedents for organization of the democratic front and the keeping of the independent views of each party. I think it is unnecessary to doubt that the Communist Party may conceal something".

Mr. KATAYAMA "I want to be well acquainted with a partner to co-operate with him."

Mr. ARAHATA: "You have only to know the Communist Party. You can learn from books that they aim at revolution by force or proletarian dictatorship. The Progressive and Liberal Parties seem to aim at a re[illegible]val of capitalism, but if they want to co-operate with us in order to save the present JAPAN, there is no reason why the Communist and Social Democratic Parties must refuse it."

Mr. KATAYAMA: "I know that the Progressive and Liberal Parties aim at revival of capitalism. That is why I do not want to co-operate with them. Since there is a feeling of unrest as regards the future, I want to take deliberate measures for national prosperity. I think it best to take advantage of the general election."

Mr. ARARATA: "Mr. KATAYAMA seems to be under the misunderstanding that the Communist and Social Democratic Parties were united in one body. I mean that both parties can co-operate in solving the present problems within the limits of agreed platforms or policies."

Mr. KATAYAMA: "Of course, I know that quite well, but I belive it best to solve the food problems and others through the principles, platforms and policies of my party".

Mr. NOZAKA: "If we were living in peaceful days, it would be necessary to use prudence. However, we must overcome the difficulties of the people immediately whether or not the general election be carried out. Although your policy may differ from ours, the best method is one or the other. If yours is best, we will agree to yours. If ours is best, I want you to agree to ours. It is better to make the best one with co-operation if possible. This problem is not relative to the general election at all, so I believe it most necessary to set about solving the present problems immediately by organizing a joint committee or something like that apart from the election."

Mr. KATAYAMA: "The election is one of our best opportunities. If many communists are elected to the House, everyone will know the contents and methods of what you call a "loved" party and the platform will be improved. Of course, I feel keenly the necessity for the united democratic front to solve urgent problems, but I believe it necessary to give time for the conditions, methods and preparations."

Mr. ARAHATA: "It is necessary to organize a joint committes even for the general election. If both parties do not make arrangements for the election beforehand, they must contest in the same constituency and consequently may be separated. If Mr. KATAYAMA and everyone else wants to combine both parties at the time of the general election, I think the arrangements for the election are necessary."

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POLITICAL SERIES: 262 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

Mr. NOZAKA: "I agree with Mr. ARAHATA, but there are two months before the election. How are you to deal with the urgent problems during that period? It is too late after the election."

Hr. KATAYAMA: "The past political mud-flinging contests do not exist now. It is clear that fair play will be performed without a joint committee or arrangements. The Social Democratic Party respects fair play."

Mr. KOZAKA: "However, if the Communist and Social Democratic Parties be sat up in opposition, votes will be scattered. It is not advantageous to either party."

Extracts:

Owing to the resignation of Mr. KODAMA, Kenji, the President of the Central Liaison Office, who was liable under the purge directive, the Government appointed Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, Shigeru concurrently to that positon.

Premier SHIDEHARA, proceeded to the Imperial Palace to report privately to the Emperor at 16:00 on 31 January, and the ceremony of installation by His Majesty was held at 17:15 on the same day. As the successor to vice-president NISHIYAMA, Mr. KANO, Kuro, former manager of the LONDON branch of the YOKOHAMA Specie. Bank, was appointed on the same day. Appointed as President of the Central Liaision Office, Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, Shigeru Appointed as vice president of the Central Liaision Office—-Viscount KANO, Kuro.

Full Translation:

A Home Ministry ordinance regarding the qualification of candidates for the coming general election was promulgated on 30 January. According to it, an applicant must submit to a prefectural governor a copy of his personal history since 1 January, 1931 (which is the year when the Manchurian Incident broke out) and by this copy, he must make sure that he does not come under the categories of the recent MaCARTHUR directives which pureed militarists and war criminals from candidature.

Details must include: history of applicant's profession and military affairs since 1931; relations with the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, the I. R. A. Young men's Corps, the I. R. A. Political association and the Political Association of Great JAPAN: his connection with other social or militaristic organizations ; positions given the applicant by such organizations; and books and articles written and speaches delivered since 1931. Since these are the requirements of an applicant, optimistic war criminal candidates must be much surprised.

However, we are not allowed to take things easy because, although prchil ited from ruling themselves, they are sure to have their followers come forth instead of them. Moreover, it is very strange that war criminals still have the franchise although they have no qualifications for election Unless we deprive them of all their civil rights and evict them from all public positions, their activity does not come to an end. It is absurd that the Progressive, the Liberals and some others who come under the c[illegible]egories of the "purge" directive are still taking an active part in political circles.

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