Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0019, 1945-11-11.

Summary:

We owe the preservation from war damage of KYOTO and NARA, Japanese art centers, to the efforts of Langton WARNER, president of the Eastern Art Section of the Art Museum attached to HARVARD university. WARNER an authority on Japanese art, studied for some years in JAPAN under OKAKRA, Tenshin, and is a good friend of Professor YASHIRO, Yukio, chairman of the International Art Research Institute. (KOKUSAI BIJUTSU KENKYU KAI).

Full Translation

Full Translation:

Meetings of about 4,000 inhabitants of NAKANO Word TOKYO, were held on 11 November at SIMMEI, YADO, and ARAIYAKUSHI primary schools for the purpose of discussing methods of securing the means of existence. A resolution was unanimously passed on the following items and presented by chiefs of the 72 Town Associations (CHOKAICHO) to the Premier's Residence, Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance and Welfare, as well as to the MacARTHUR Headquarters:

• 1.Continued distribution of at least three GO of staple foods per capita.
• 2.Application for the importation of scarce foodstuffs.
• 3.Maintenance of sufficient supplies of construction materials.

•   SOCIAL SERIES: 19[illegible](Continued) ITEM 3 (Continued)
• 4.Abolition of laws and regulations hampering rehabilitation.
• 5.Simplification of methods of drawing special savings.

ITEM [illegible]Cultural News - Mainichi Shimbun - 12 Nov 45. Translator Y. Akabane.

Full Translation:

A theatrical institute has been established at the insistence of Mr. HACHIDA, primarily for the purpose of improving technique in giving dramatic performances and to carry out the compilation of a history of dramatic performances. Students will be invited to attend meetings to be held this month in order to discover and foster actors of a new type The office is at NO. 121, 1 CHOME, MATSUBARA MACHI, SETAGAYA-KU.

An association called the "Soviet Association" has been established in order to promote knowledge of the SOVIET UNION by distributing Soviet Information publishing books, and presenting moving pictures. The temporary office is at No. 7, 1 CHOME, JIMBOCHO, KANDA-KU.

Summary:

The drawing of "Treasure Bonds" (TAKARA KUJI) will be held at 1020 today at MITSUKOSHI, NIEONBASHI. Regarding this, it has recently been revealed that falsified tickets are being used in order to obtain these prizes. Here is an example of the use of this new criminal technique: TERUA[illegible]I, Ogitani, a 33 year old Social No: 14 (2) draftsman had obtained a lottery ticket. This ticket won the 3rd prize of Ұ1,000 on 25 August 1944. OGITANI, however, not being satisfied with this "pittance", decided to change the number on the ticket so that it would win first prize, by using his professional skill.

We then attempted to draw, the Ұ10,000 prize at SHIROKIYA. [illegible]GOTANDA. There he was told that he must go to the Social No: 14 (3) Hipothetic Bank to receive the prize money. "When he attempted to do so, his forged ticket was discovered by a girl clerk and he was handed over to a detective. Prior to this, scores of winning tickets of 4th and 5th prizes, were discovered to have been forged. This fact led to the police to be on the lookout for forgeries, which in turn led to the apprehension of the criminal.

Full Translation:

At the 6th general meeting of YOMIURI employees on 10 November, chairman SUZUKI reported on last two days of negotiations with President SHORIKI on the counter proposal which the employees made to the President's proposal. The employees proposed, first of all, that President SHORIKI resign from his present post on the condition that he be allowed to hold the post of an adviser to the paper, and,

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ITEM 6 (Continued)

secondly, that he does not oppose the appointment of MUDAI, Mitsuo, Director of the JAPAN Newspaper Association, as the new YOMIURI President.

President SHORIKI agreed on the condition that the personnel question and all other questions concerning the organization of all posts above department manager be left to his discretion. President SHORIKI, according to Suzuki's interpretation, therefore apparently met the employees demands but in reality tried to secure a continuation of his dictatorship. As a result of this report, YOMIURI employees unanimously agreed to continue their struggle until their goal had been attained.

Summary:

The "Children's Foods" meeting will be held at HIBIYA Kall at 1000, 14 November under the joint auspices of the Adopted Fordstuff Research Federation (OYO SHOKURYO REMMEI) and the ASAHI SHIMBUN. One teacher and five children from all schools in the city will be invited to the occasion.

At the meeting a gift consisting of 50 MOMME of bread, 50 MOMME of sugar coated pills and 30 MOMME of toffees will be presented to each of the little guests. These sweet gifts are all made of acorns, which were collected by the children. Representatives of Education, Agriculture and Forestry Ministries, and TOKYO-TO, will also attend to deliver a message of gratitude to the little folks for the services they rendered during the war. There will also be entertainment, such as a ballet performed by Ishii BAKU'S Ballet Team, music, and some stunts.

Summary:

Many politician's lose in the problems confronting them, the wider perspective. Although the author does net agree in all respects with LASKI, he is of the opinion that the study of LASKI would give to Japanese petitions a wider perspective on World Politics, especially on the establishment of liberty. Katayama's present article on LASKI, is based on a bock by LASKI which appeared in October 1943 under the title, "Faith, Reason and Culture". The author writes that the book was published at a time when Allied victory had become certain. Two points in Laski's, book seem especially noteworthy KATAYAMA. One is that the sacrifices made by the common man in the present war must not be wasted. And the second is Laski's comparison and restudy of the Russian Revolution and Christianity. According to KATAYAMA, LASKI claims in his book that the Allies fought in this war for "liberty". Allied victory would,

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however, only create the basis by which to establish liberty. After the first World War, the Allies had the opportunity to establish liberty, but, with the noteworthy exception of SOVIET RUSSIA, they proved themselves incapable of this.

According to the ideals of the Russian revolution, liberty can be attained only by the establishment of a socialistic democracy. In the present war, the belief in this ideal by the Russian people was manifested in the Battle of STALINGRAD. LASKI then compares the Russian revolution with Christianity and prophesies that the time could come when all the countries of the world would have to accept the basic ideals of the Russian revolution in much the same way that the Romans first presented Christianity and then adopted it. LASKI then continues with the statement that liberal economy does not attain liberty or democracy for the common people. On the contrary, it enriches a minority and impoverishes the majority. LASKI, therefore, doubts that the present war will be a victory over such a profiteer society for any of the allied countries, except SOVIET-RUSSIA.

LASKI continues that victory over the Axis powers is a necessary step, toward the reform to socialist society from profiteer society, but the issue is not yet decided. Between the SOVIET-UNION and other countries, (STALIN and CHUACHILL for example), LASKI fears there are serious differences of opinion. However, these differences have been overcome to some extent through the victory of the English Labor Party and the formation of an English Labor Cabinet.

Summary:

The articles is concerned with an investigation of public opinion which is now being made by MAINICHI, with a view poward arousing public opinion as the foundation of democracy for new JAPAN. At the outset, the nation's opinion regarding "Manner of public election of Prefectural Governors" was sought and this time, a question concerning "Continuation or abolition of the system of Neighborhood Associations" will be considered.

Although no expression of the Government's intention has yet been made in this matter, it is said that it has been studied already by the Allied authorities. However, we can not continue to remain silent in regards to such a matter directly connected with our own daily living.

The part the system of neighborhood associations played during the war was very important. They did their best in all aspects of national life, such as, in air raid activities, distribution of living necessities, purchase of debentures and savings, and in accomplishing their duty as intermediaries between the Government and people.

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However, the end of the war has now made air raid precautions unnecessary, and gradually the distribution of the necessities of daily life is said to be returning to the old system. Although the spirit of mutual assistance is the basis of democratic life, it is doubtful whether or not the neighbourhood associations in their present form can conform to the new life of a reconstructed JAPAN.

Therefore, we want to hear the nation's honest voices as to the continuation or abolition of the system of neighborhood associations, and in case of continuation, what nature and function will be given them. The voices representing the nation's opinions will be speedily made public.

Summary:

It is a matter of regret that the freedom of the press has led to a discussion for or against the abolishment of the Emperor's role of co-operation in democratizing our country. The Emperor is deeply concerned with the materialization of democracy and is accepting wholeheartedly the policy directed by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces relating to the control or JAPAN. His Majesty is expending every effort in conducting the state affairs of the construction of new JAPAN, and it is said that he is earnestly encouraging government authorities to promptly and faithfully, carry out the articles of the POTSDAM Declaration. In accordance with the Emperor's will, the revision of the Constitution is now being carried on by the official charged with this responsibility. And, as regares important national policies, the Emperor always demands minute explanations from the Minister concerned and sometimes asks questions before giving his decision.

When an audience is requested of the Emperor by foreigner, it is granted, even though the time of which it is held cay be inconvenient to the Emperor. His Majesty especially interests in newspaper representing public opinions, and has ordered that all such newspapers be brought to him as quickly as possible.

A matter of deep concern to the Emperor is the welfare of the people. As is seen in the Imperial Proclamation which ended the war, the Emperor is "always with the nation" and praying for the welfare of the people. The earnest encouragement of social, educational, and industrial enterprises; the donation of relief funds in cases of need; and the careful hearing of the problems of prefecturall governors are all expressions of the Emperor's desire to care for the nation.

He is giving careful consideration to the problems of demobilized officers and men as well as civilians returning from abroad and war sufferers in order to facilitate the issuance of instructions to authorities for appropriate measures. He is now living in a small temporary palace, and at the time of the fish famine, he is said to have had raw fish only once in every ten days much the same as everyone

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else. If the application recently tendered for the importation of foodstuffs is permitted by the Allied Headquarters, he as offerred to use his jewels and objects of art in part payment for them.

In line with the democratization of Japan, steps have been taken to simplify as far as possible police control over the route of the recent journey of the Emperor to KANSAI (Western JAPAN). At the time of His Majesty's informal visit to General MacARTHUR on 27 September, no control of traffic was made.

It is the firm belief of the Emperor that the welfare of all the peoples of the world should be looked after in the attainment of world peace. We can readily see his love for peace at the outbreak and termination of the Greater EAST ASIA War, when he stated, "I do not mind dying but what I cannot bear is to see my people fall in war." When the decision to end the war was made by the Emperor, all the officials present shed tears, crying loudly inspite of the Emperor's presence. The following is part of a statement made by the Emperor at the opening of the 88th Diet: "My one great desire is to contribute to the peace of the world by making JAPAN itself a peaceful nations"

Summary:

The Emperor had given sometime ago one million KOKU of timber from the Imperial Forestries for the construction of hones for war sufferers. Of this quantity 427,000 KOKU of lumber were ready for immediate delivery, but due to the negligence of the Welfare Ministry, instructions to the governors of the different provinces to take over their respective quantities were only sent out on 2 November and reached the respective provincial departments only on 10 November. These provincial departments declared that they have neither transportation facilities nor saw mills, so the lumber which was so graciously given by the Emperor to house war sufferers from the approaching cold, will not be in time for this year anyway.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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