Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0202, 1946-01-27.

Full Translation:

As a step towards the realization of woman suffrage, the authorities of KYOTO have decided to hold a mother's class in every primary school in the city until the general election in March in order to arouse the women's political consciousness. They take the view that it is urgently necessary at the present time to educate women as citizens. For the purpose of deciding the necessary expenditure of the new plan and other proposals, a meeting of the City Council is to be held in the first members room in the City Assembly-hall at l400 on the 22nd. They will also examine the supplementary budget of the revenue and expenditure of the city for the 1945 fiscal year.

Out of the total amount of 318,672 yen in the supplementary budget, the sum necessary for all ward offices is estimated at 63,778 yen, expenditure for sweeping the city roads at 90,000 yen, expenditure for the mother's class at 10,000 yon, smallpox prevention at 54,739 yen, isolation hospitals at 4l,963 yen, and the general election at 58,192 yen.

Summary:

While the prosecuting authorities have begun to investigate the recent case of concealed commodities found in an ex-army arsenal in ITABASHIKu, being distributed to the residents of the district by themselves, without the authorities approval, a new discussion has arisen about this manner of disposing of concealed goods.

The Communist Party insists on the administration by the people as a measure to alleviate the critical food situation. According to Mr. KUROXI, Shigenori of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the disposal of the concealed goods in the arseral was not illegal. If a method prevails whereby only those who are in the know can get the goods, as in this case, rice riots may take place in every district throughout the country. As this will only cause the people more confusion and erisis, the Communist Party has decided on a compromise with the Government in order to prevent the tendency toward rioting from spreading further.

Accordingly, in the ITABASHI area on 23 January about 4,000 people formed four food administration Committees, one each in ITABASHI, OJI, TAKINOGAKA, and TOSHIMA. These committees are composed of five representatives from each neighborhood group association. The delegates of the Committee are expected to meet with Premier SHIDEHARA at the earliest opportunity to get his approval for the people's administration of scarce commodities in view of the Government's irresponsibility in dealing with the critical food situation. The Communist Party intends to assist the movement in its nation-wide development.

SOCIAL SERIES: 202 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

However, the present problem of national starvation in JAPAN cannot be solved merely by such a movement but by the political power of a democratic government which is the true representative of the masses. In order to establish such a government, the Communist Party intends to form a united democratic front with the Democratic Party and other democratic parties, he concluded.

Full Translation:

An extraordinary general meeting of the JAPAN Publishing Society was held on 24 January at HIKO KAIKAN, SHIRA-Ku, to discuss various proposals relative to the purge of publishing companies. It was attended by more than 600 members from different parts of the Country. Active deliberations took place, and particularly strong opinions demanding appropriate measures to be taken regarding the allotment of paper were expressed by many. It was decided to submit to the authorities concerned a resolution demanding revision of the fundamental principle of paper allotment. The pending question for the pursuit of war criminals in publication circles was entrusted to a committee for investigation.

Summary:

Another group of seven men who were illegally selling bad whiskey containing methyl alcohol were arrested on Monday by the. Metropolitan Police Board. The gang has been bootlegging approximately six koku seven to of illegal whiskey up to 25 December under the leadership of TANAKA, Seisaku, aged 44, Director of the NISSHIN Mining Co., Ltd., 23 HONGO-Dori 3-Chome, NAKANO-Ku, and KO, Eiki, aged 27, of the same address.

The illicit whiskey was bottled in beer bottles and labeled under the name of "Ideal Whiskey" or "Sakura Spirits" showing the authorized price of 7.50 yen. The gang was selling such whiskey at the black market price of 80 to 120 yen a bottle, and all the money earned from the bootlegging was spent on pleasure.

Full Translation:

Recently, a large quantity of imitation whiskey has appeared at many restaurants and public bars. The Peace Section of the Metropolitan Police Board made investigations secretly in co-operation with the Military Police and finally arrested a group of criminals on 23 January.

The criminals were a broker, TAKADA, Eiichi, aged 27, of 3-12, TOGODORI, NAKANO-Ku; HIRAKAWA, Tetsuji, aged 28, of 2-172, UMABASHI, SUGINAMI-Ku; NOBUKAWA, Seiko, aged 28, of 4031, IKUNO-Machi, KITANO-Ku, OSAKA-Shi TOKUYAHA, Masao, aged 25, of the same place; and TAKAYAMA, Atsusawa, aged 37, of 1-121, MATSUGI-Machi, SUGINAMI-Ku.

The group obtained about 700,000 kan of alcohol and sugar from a certain place and manufactured an imitation "Ideal Whisky". They established their headquarters at the licensed quarters of ARAI, NAKANO-Ku and they used geisha girls to sell the whisky which they tried to make on a largescale. Their business was well-organized.

On 23 January, two men entered the house of TEMMEI, Kichi, of 260, UNOKI, OMORI-Ku and said, "We are detectives. A certain bank was robbed of 150,000 yen and we want to examine the numbers of your notes." Consequently, the family handed over twenty 200 yen notes. Taking advantage of an unguarded moment, they ran away with the notes.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 202 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

On 24 January, two men entered the house of OTSUBO, Genkichi, of 4-1, 244, ITABASHI, ITABASHI-Ku, saying, "We are from the police station. We came here for the purpose of investigating your motor." Then, they threatened the family with a short sword and stole 1,200 yen.

Summary:

Two burglars broke into the home of OTSUBO, Iwao, a resident of ITABASHI-Cho, 4-Chome, ITABASHI-Ku, yesterday, pretending to be police officers, and robbed him of 1,200 yen at the point of a dagger.

Seventy-two articles, including 30 Government Railway worker's uniforms (winter issue) estimated in value at approximately 18,300 yen, stored in the storehouse on the second floor of the SHIMBASHI Section Office SHIODOME, SHIMBASHI, SHIBA-Ku, were stolen between 18 and 21 January.

The ATAGO Police Station which has been investigating this case, yesterday arrested HATAKEYAMA, Hideo, aged 33, an habitual criminal, one of the thieves. Yesterday, at about 2200, a thief broke into a storehouse on the raid-devastated ground of the homestead of Mr. NAKAGAWA, Shigeharu, Member of Parliament, who lives at No.l6 KONNO-Cho, SHIBUYA-Ku. A description of the stolen goods is unknown at present because the owner is out of town.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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