Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0172, 1946-01-16.
Date16 January, 1946
translation numbersocial-0783
call numberDS801 .S84
Persistent Identifier
SOCIAL SERIES: 172
ITEM 1 Patriotic Literary Societies-Kochi Shimbun-8 January 1946. Translator: Ogawa, Tonoye.
Summary:
Our aim to reveal the war crimes of the JAPAN Literary Patriotic Association will
provide a basis for profound reflection upon
past militarism and the narrow-minded literary isolation policy. The trend of our
literary world, which has been connected
with the trends of the times, is shown, if we recall the period just before the outbreak
of the world war two.
- 1.The "Iron Society" (KUROGANE KAI): The predecessor of this group was the "Groliers Group" (KAGAYAKU BUTAI) under the leadership of Mrs. OKADA, Yachiye. This group disbanded in October 1942. Later when the KUROGANE KAI was organized by the writers who had been holding and authors' round table conference at the Naval Officers' Club every week under the leadership of the Naval Information Office, the former group was consolidated without the latter. This group consisted chiefly of writers, and its membership amounted to 1,000. The aim of this group was the furthering of interests in maritime affairs and the promotion of national interest in foreign affairs. At the inauguration ceremony of the association Mr. TSUMURA, Teshiyuhi, author of the "The Blockade of the South Seas" was awarded the first KUEOGAME KAI prize.
- 2.The Culture Deportment of the Imperial Rule Assistance Society; In November of the same year a new plan for supporting the Imperial Rule by poetry was proposed by the Culture Department of the Imperial Rule Assistance Society (YOEUSAN KAI). The groups of poets which joined this campaign were as follows: The Great JAPAN Poet's Association (OKI, Atuo, the President) (DAI NIPPON SHIJIN KYOKAI); The JAPAN Poets' Association (OSADA, Tsuneo, the President) (NIPPON SHIJIN KYOKAI); the JAPAN Young Poets' League (MATSUMOTO, Hampei, the President) (NIPPON SEINEN SHIJIN REMMEI); the All JAPAN Poetesses' Association (FUKAO, Sumako, the President) (ZEN NIPPON FUJIN SHIJIN KAI); the Great JAPAN National Poets' Assosiation (KAGOSHIMA, Toshizo, the President) (DAI NIPPON KAJIN KAI). Besides the representatives of the above mentioned groups, such poets as TAKAMURA, Kotaso; MIYOSHI, Setsuji; and TOKI, Temmaro; also supported this group. The group fostered the ideals of militarism through the radio, gramophone records and pamphlets.
- SOCIAL SERIES: 172 (Continued) ITEM 1 (Continued)
- 3.The Aviation Literary Association (KOKU BUNGAKU KAI): On 15 November of the same year, this association was organized to interest young men enlisting as Army and Navy fliers. The Aviation Superintendant was its counciller; the chairman was KIKUCHI, Kan; KITAMURA, Komatsu, was its secretary; and KIMURA, Sojuro was its leading member. The "Aviation Civilization" (KOKU BUNKA) the organ of the association was published by these authors. A book written by AKINAGA, Kaoru entitled "Men of Wing (TSUBASA NO HITUBITO), was awarded the first KOKU BUNKA prize.
- 4.The Literary men's Patriotic Conference (BUNGAKUSHA AIKOKU DAIKAI: The trends in our literary world have become more apparent since 8 December 1942, when the above mentioned conference was held. This conference was held at the YOKUSAN KAI office, and the meeting was attended by 350 representatives of various literary circles, under the chairmanship of KIKUCHI, Kan. At the meeting SASAKI, Nakutsuna, a veteran national poet stressed that poets must write patriotic pieces which will be imbedded in the nation's bossom for centuries. TOKI, Zemmaro; OZAKI, Kihachi; SATO, Hachiro; and TAKAMURA, Katare wrote poetry which emphasized the idea of smashing AMERICA and GREAT BRITAIN. After the meeting was adjourned, KIKUCHI, Kan; YOSHIKAWA, Eiji; NAKAMURA, Murao; NAKANO, Minoru; HIBINO, Shiro; TOGAWA, Sadao; and YOSHIYA, Nobuke visited the Army and Navy Ministries to present a letter of thanks.
- 5.The Literary Patriotic Association (BUNGAKU HOKOKU KAI): On 18 June, 1943, the JAPAN Literary Patriotic Association (NIPPON BUNGAKU HOKOKU KAI) was inaugurated as an outside body of the Information Bureau. This Association had 4,000 members including representatices from all branches of literature. The staff members were as follows: President TOKUTOMI, Iichiro; leading members - KIKUCHI, Kan; KUME, Masao; TOKAWA, Sadao; KOGA, Saburo; FUKUDA, Kiyoto; YOSHIYA, Nobuko; KUBOTA, Mantaro; YOSHISU, Shi; SHIOTA, Ryoher; OZAKI, Kihachi; and OKI, Atsuo. Among the officials of the Information Bureau, Mr. INOUE, Shiro, Chief of the third Section of the fifth Department, gave strong support to this association.
- 6.The Greater East ASIA Literary men's Conference (DAI TOA BUNGAKUSHA DAI): Under the auspices of the abovementioned BUNGAKU HOKOKU KAI, conferences were held twice. The conferences were attended by reactionary authors of JAPAN, MANCHURIA, INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA, and the southern nations, under the platform of enhancing Asiatic civilization throughout the world. At the conference "The One Hundred Patriotic National Poems" (AIKOKU HYAKUNIN ISSHU) and "The National Mottoes" (KOKUMIN ZAYUNO MEI) were selected. This conference committed a serious blunder in driving our nation into hostility by playing the role of the cat's paw of the militalistic clique and the bureaucrats.
ITEM 2 Round Table Conference on Education (Part II) - Mainichi Shimbun - 14 Jan 46. Translator: Y. Akabane.
Summary:
Party Politics and Education
KATAYAWA: Even if new political parties come to power educational liberation and
the accomplishment of real education free
from totalitarianism must be realized, so that there may arise no question in JAPAN
of liberating education from the
interference of party politics.
TANAKA: In parliamentary politics, one minister who places special stress on education
may, in some cases be replaced by
another, not so enthusiastic or entirely lacking in understanding. Such changes should
be avoided. Frequent changes in the
presidents of universities through the influence of party politics must likewise be
avoided, although such occurrences are
comparatively rare, as antonomy is recognized so far as the university system is concerned.
In secondary and primary
education, we cannot guarantee that the old vices of party politics will not revive.
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SOCIAL SERIES: 172 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
in the future.
KATAYAMA: There were many such vices in the old days of party politics at the time
of SEIYUKAI and MINSEITO. (TN: Politicians
Party and Democratic Party). Particularly when police politics were very active, even
policemen were changed with cabinet
changes to strengthen the influence of the party than in power, However, political
parties will not survive in the future
unless they act in conformity with their respective policies, which will Necessarily
differ according to their respective
ideologies. So, in my party, the educational policy will be made public and we shall
do the best to carry out such a
policy.
This is also the case with questions other than education. Accordingly, I think it
is unavoidable that educational principles,
together with educational authorities, including teachers, should change with cabinet
changes if the above principles of
political guidance are adhered to. If a socialist party is in power, the principles
of a socialistic education will be adopted
and if a plutocratic party is in power, the principles of a capitalistic education
will make their appearance. This, however,
does not constitute an argument, against party politics, which is quite a different
question.
TANAKA: That is the question. If educators who take a certain view of life and the
world should retire when a political party
with different views comes into power, they must be replaced by ether educators. Take
the example of law courts. All courts
are now occupied almost entirely by judges with capitalistic leanings. Can we think
of their changing or retirement masse if
the socialists or the communists come to power? On the contrary, we consider judges
or the judicial system as being neutral,
of the judges stand point, in that they maintain social order and are charged with
the carrying out of justice.
Similar considerations may be applied to education. At least educators supply leaders
required by the civilized and democratic
state, with a common view of life and the world. Such leaders may later join either
the progressive, socialist or any other
party. But if fundamental education, forming the basis of social life, or, in other
words, objective culture, compatible ,with
any view of life and the world, or common to any political party, is given at school,
it would not be necessary to change the
teachers.
KATAYAMA: I think so to a certain extent. As you said just now, if an education which
teaches the truth or an educational
system free from temporary expediencies is firmly established, I have no objection
to educators remaining in office to
accomplish bravely the inherent mission of education. If such honest and true educators
are in the majority, their replacement
is mot of course necessary. However, in present day JAPAN, education has been too
distorted to suit temporary expedients, so
it would be impossible, for instance, for the socialists party when it is in power,
to realize its educational principles
without reforming all the schools. If such a reform reaches an adequate level, the
ideas of Mr. TANAKA may well be
maintained.
YAGI: I think it necessary to bring up good individuals who are at the same tine
good nationals. School is generally thought
to be the place where scholars are fostered and truth is studied. I think, therefore,
that school education can not mold a
good man. The pursuit of truth and the advanced study of science are apt to be considered
as the sole aim of school education.
The pursuit of good and virtue and beauty must be emphasized more than before. More
attention must be paid to mental uplift in
schools.
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SOCIAL SERIES: 172 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
TANAKA: I referred to the search for truth. This of course includes all truth, good
and beauty. The most important of these is
good, viz: morality. Moral principles may be learned but this doesnot necessarily
mean the development of personality or the
healthy development of individuality. The authorities are by no means placing too
much stress on natural scientific truth
alone. The development of personality is considered most important. A developed personality
is the basis of good citizenship.
The fundamental object of humanity does not only exist on a moral plane which is purely
subjective but lies chiefly in the
objective moral to which all humanity should conform. Without this, science and technique
would be meaningless and of no
use.
YAGI: Militaristic restraint, the influence of political parties and other outside
influences are said to be responsible for
the decay of JAPAN's educational circlea. Even if all such influences are removed,
I regret to have to say that the ultimate
cause of their decay is dormant within themselves. For example, the prevailing ides
that knowledge alone should be given in
schools is the cause of education being dull and moribund. To avoid this, a new educational
system must be established, and
the existing normal school educationa system, revised accordingly. At present education
gives the impression, of being as
formal as was militaristic education.
ITEM 3 Imperial Family Securities-Asahi Shimbun-14 January 1946. Translator: Kita awa Tarao.
Full Translation:
Property belonging to the Imperial Family estimated at 1,590,000,000 yen including
land, forests and securities will be
disposed of and the family will be deprived of its character as ZAIBATSU or tremendous
landowners. Regulations for the Bank of
JAPAN will be revised in such a way that stockholders of the bank will be limited
to either government or financial
institutions, and private stock owners, will thus be eliminated. Stocks of the bank
possessed by the Imperial Household
amounting to 208 thousand shares representing 20,800,000 yen as well as stocks of
other corporations will be pasted with in
some way. Cash and readily marketable securities belonging to the Household are estimated
at 336,159,000 yen and in 1942
included 138 million yen of national bonds, 26 million yen of prefectural debentures,
87 million yen of stocks, representing
29 companies below, 58 million yen of debentures and cash amounting to 24 million
yen.
Apart from stocks of companies assets of which nave been frozen By a General Headquarters
directive, stocks especially those
of banks of special function owned by the Imperial Household are tremendous. The methods
to be followed in eliminating the
Imperial Families from the list of share holders, are first, selling then on the open
market, and second disposing of them by
sale to one of the governmental institutions or to a special organization. Steps to
be taken for the purpose are being studied
by the Finance Ministry and the Department of the Imperial Household.
The list of stocks owned by he Imperial Household is as follows:
Stocks of | Number of stocks | Yen |
The Bank of JAPAN (NIPPON GINKO) | 208,000 | 20,800,000 |
The YOKOHAMA Special Bank (YOKOHAMA SHOKIN GINKO) 209,318 | 21,500,000 | |
The Industrial Bank of JAPAN (NIPPON KOGYO GINKO) | 45,459 | 1,420,000 |
The Bank of Formoss (Taiwan Ginko) | 30,264 | 1,891,000 |
The Oriental Development Company (TOYO TAKUSHOKU KAISHA) | 50,000 | 1,875,000 |
The Imperial Bank (TEIKOKU GINKO) | 29,110 | 1,280,000 |
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SOCIAL SERIES: 172 (Continued)
ITEM 3 (Continued)
The HOKKAIDO Development Bank (HOKKAIDO TAKUSHOKU GINKO) | 153.976 | 6,700,000 |
The JAPAN Mail Steamshin Company (NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA) | 161,100 | 8,210,000 |
The Oji Paper-Mill Company (OJI SEISHI KAISHA) | 60,608 | 13,582,000 |
The South Manchurian Railway Company (MINAMI-MINSHU TETSUDO KAISHA) | 34,375 | 3,290,000 |
The FORMOSA Sugar Refining Company (TAIWAN SEITO KAISHA) | 39,600 | 1,980,000 |
The KANTO Electric Current Distributing Company (KANIO HAIDEN) | 34,759 1,737,000 |
ITEM 4 Unsold Fish Startling Sight at Yesterday's Market-Tokyo Shimbun-13 January 1946. Translator: Hiroshi Sato.
Full Translation:
What happened in the central market on the 11th was quite an incomprehensible thing
to the citizens of TOKYO. There were
sardines priced at 24 yen per kamme and flat-fish at 11 yen. These fish were heaped
up unsold though they were priced at half
the black market price. This was the result of a boycott by retailers who have a violent
dislike for low priced fish. These
fish remained there growing stale. Such is the trouble caused by the defective official
price control system of the
present.
That day the usual amount of fish totalling about 11 tons including 700 kamme of
fresh sardines caught at 8080 and 4000 kamme
of shark and fiat fish was brought to the market. As usual the official price was
fixed at the meeting of the price committee
composed of representatives of consumer, producer retailers' union, and controlling
corporation, and the fish was assigned to
their branches respectively. But these branches accepted only a very small portion
and had gone away leaving the remaining
2,000 kamme of fish untouched.
At the end of last year and the beginning of this month, dealers of these branches
used to go directly to the fishing centers
and bought a large amount of fish of which they have not yet fully disposed. This
is why these dealers could not touch this
newly arrived cheaper fish which was sent to be consumed in the kitchens of TOKYO
citizens.
DISTRIBUTION "X"
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