Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0051, 1945-12-01.

Full Translation:

News that Government engineers are starting preparatory investigations to construct an undersea tunnel below the NARUTO Straits is encouraging to residents of TOKUSHIMA prefecture. It may be recalled that when Mr. N[illegible]MURA, former member of the House of Representatives, insisted on a bridge over the NARUTO Straits, the public considered it a daydream, and would not listen to him. After the outbreak of war, all interest in the project was lost. The aim of the bridge-building plan proposed by Mr. NAKAMURA and his followers was to improve transportation and develop industries.

In order to relieve growing congestion along the SANYO line, it was necessary to construct a new railroad line connecting the HANSHIN district (OSAKA and KOBE districts). SEIKOKU and KYUSHU. In this connection, authorities were nearly ready to open a new navigation line connecting WAKAYAMA and TOKUSHIMA, and a cert in society was bending its efforts toward constructing a line running lengthwise through SHIKOKU Island, connecting AWA, IKEDA, and KAWANOYE. During the war all these plans were suspended or interrupted.

With a view to reconstructing a peaceful JAPAN, they intend to make a huge national park around the NARUTO Channel, covering the vast area of TOKUSHIMA, WAKAYAMA, AKASHI, and KOBE. Now that the fortified zones of MARUTO and YURA have ceased to exist, we are given the opportunity to see the sights of the picturesque KII Channel and to enjoy a southern atmosphere. Not only from the standpoint of sighseeing, but also in order to develop peaceful industries, our authorities recognize the necessity of constructing an under-sea tunnel connecting JAPAN proper and SHIKOKU.

In the present investigation, Railway Parliamentary Vice-Minister ARAI and his staff were accompanied by a chief of the SHIKOKU Railway Section and a railway engineer, both of whom took important parts in the construction of the KWANIMON tunnel. Judged by this fact alone, the present investigative staff seems to be proceeding with this work with vigor. Based upon results of the investigations up to this date, success in the work is practically assured. Efforts are being made to estimate necessary expenses for scientific investigation.

SOCIAL SERIES: 51

ITEM 1 (Continued)

As far as civil engineering is concerned, the Railway Ministery engineers are boasting of their high shill in having constructed the TANKA and KWANMON tunnels. Moreonet, AWAJISHIMA island, lying between HONSHU and SHIKOKU, is surely an advantage as an intermediate point. The biggest difficulty in tunneling is in striking a weak stratum; this often results in a considerable increase in expenditure. A submarine tunnel costs about ten times more than a ground tunnel, and the latter is said to cost 500,000 yen per kilometer. In view of the fact that the proposed plan for constructing a tunnel below the CHOSEN Channel will be abolished, the NARUTO tunnel is all the more likely to become a reality. Our efforts to construct the NARUTO tunnel for sightseeing and for improving transportation should be regarded by the Allied Armies with favor. We expect SCAP to approve of this plan without hesitation, for the Americans know the advantages of fine railroads, such as the one running below the Hudson River, far better than any other nation. To carry out this plan we must build a big dam near the upper reaches of the YOSHIHO and NAKA rivers and utilize hydroelectric power.

Full Translation:

News films will soon be shown to the public as the first step of the American film exhibit in JAPAN. Six different news films, named "United News" have been completed and are scheduled to be distributed by Mr Michael M. BASU* who assumed his post at the Allied Civil Information-Education Bureau and is now seeking a suitable office in which "Central Film Exchange", the film distribution organ will be set up.

Chaplin's "Gold Rush" and two or three other dramatic films have already been arranged for. If the number of dramatic films reaches 10 or more, they are to be distributed through such a film distribution organization. Therefore, they will doubtless he shown to the public by the middle of December.

Full Translation:

On the sixth day after the abolition of Government control selling, the Central Market received 72 tons of perishable foods, including 67 tons of fish and five tons of shellfish, while the SENJIU Market received eight tons of those foods. Generally speaking, the high prices are similar to those of yesterday but some fo[illegible]are sold at prices much lower than those of the first day when the bid method was taken up. It is now expected that the supply of such perishable foods will be increased in the future. Therefore, the prices may fall to some degree, but the changes will be held around these limits.

Complaints are heard among some people who have not received any foods by distribution since abolition of Government control selling, but as retailers are bound to distribute those perishable foods evenly, it is thought that every household will received something once or more a week. To be sure, distribution once a week is now under way,

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SOCIAL SERIES: 51

ITEM 3 (Continued)

but a delay in distribution may sometimes occur as a result of the scarcity of the days produce, or high prices of fish which might be sold freely by retailers who thought them unsuitable for general household cooking.

The prices on 26 November were as follows: ODAWARA Cuttle-fish, 25.80 to 25.30 yen, OSHIMA. Cuttle-fish, 29.30 to 24.00 yen, OSHIMA Mackerel, 44.55 yen, WANNAI Sardine, 25.05 to 24.65 yen, SANRIKU Sardine, 24.20 yen, Carbicula, 1.73 yen, and Tapes Philippinarum, 3.25 yen.

Summary:

Question: Which political parties are most popular in the provinces?

ENDO: It depends on individual views and situations. Most provincial people expect much from the newly organized social parties.

SHINOYAMA: It is doubtful if there is much expected in the provinces from the social parties but these parties are certainly more active in their policies toward the current problems of food and land.

NOZUE: A s a whole, provincial People are not yet as interested in politics as they are in the food problem. HOKURIKU people say, "one pyo (TN. as a measurement, one bale.) of rice rather than one pyo (TN one vote) in an election."

ENDO: Farmers are conservative and do not advocate radical changes.

Question: Aren't there any notable new politicians?

NARITA: In OSAKA the old leaders are still running political activities. There seem to be no new influence.

NOZUE; Voices demand the expulsion of the people formerly connected with JAPAN Politic Society or with the Imperial Rule Assistance Association to make room for new men.

Question: How about the communists?

ENDO: Although their policies may be theoretically correct, they are too far-fetched, and many say they will not have general support. Farmers will not agree, at least, with their abolition of the Emperor system.

SAWADA: City people are paying much attention to the activities of the communists but there is not much response in the provinces; but the discussions by MUROBUSHI, Takanobu, MAKINO, Ryozo, TOKUTA, Kyuichi, KIYOSE, Ichiro, on the Emperor System are becoming topics for fireside talks. They were shocking to the country people.

NOZUE: Old Japanese communists were wrong in terrifying the people. Mr. SANO, Gaku, says, "Many admit the abolition of the Emperor system is theoretically correct, but they are against it from a sentimental point of view. One should not confuse patriotism with the Emperor system. Criticism from a democratic view point must be made."

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SOCIAL SERIES: 51

ITEM 4 (Continued)

Question: Are there any provincial parties as contrasted with central parties?

NOZUE: As a special case in TOYAMA Prefecture, a new party called the Agricultural Foundation Party was formed. It is under the guidance of the JAPAN Agricultural Society.

Question: How about woman suffrage?

NARITA: Many voices say that political education for women is necessary.

SAWADA: Although Japanese women's political education may he lacking, having women go to the polls is real practical political education, as many provincial leaders say. To denounce such measures is wrong.

Question: What are the women's actions in connection with the election?

NOZUE: In KANAZAWA City, they organized the ISHIKAWA Prefecture Womens Association. The leaders of the association are KOMAI Shizuko, and YONEYAMA, Hisako, who are going in for women's political education. In TOYAMA, a lady called HIRAOKA, Hatsue wants to introduce her household movement into politics. The rumor that ICHIKAWA, Fusae, and YAMAZAKI, Michiko will be candidates is not certain. On the whole, women's political activities are not very noteworthy.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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