Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0204, 1946-01-28.

Summary:

The new year Imperial ceremony for composing Japanese odes (TANKA) was performed on 22 January at the Imperial Palace under the esteemed patronage of the Emperor. The subject of the ode was "Snow on Pine Trees," which accorded with the present Japanese public situation. The ceremony was performed in the traditional manner.

Odes by the Emperor and princes and princesses of the Imperial Household were read aloud. The ode by the Emperor showed his intention to guide the Japanese in the reconstruction of JAPAN.

The ode by the Emperor runs to the effect that "Brave are the pine trees which do not change their color under the burden of the snow; I wish the people to be like this." (TN: The odes by the members of the Imperial Household and selected odes of the people are given but not translated.)

Summary:

Educational circles are in dismay through the abrupt change of circumstances. Educators must find their way by their own thoughts as well as by an interchange of opinions. The HOKKOKU MAINICHI plans to offer the opportunity for discussions to educational circles and is now preparing to hold a meeting for "Discussion of Democracy" on 27 January. The meeting will be attended by TSUZAWA, Sosei, Chief of the Education Section of the Prefecture; IIZUKA, Ginji, education inspector; TSUJIGUCHI, Hideji, another inspector; MURATA, Koiichiro, another inspector; ODA, Nobuzi, Chief of the School Section of KANAZAWA-Shi; SHDNO, principal of the Higher Normal School of KANAZAWA; ITO and ANDO, both professors of the Fourth High School; SHIMIZU, principal of the ISHIKAWA Normal School; GOTSUBO, principal of the ISHIKAWA Youth School; and other teachers in national and middle schools in the prefecture.

These teachers are expected to have a vigorous discussion on democratic education and on the reformation of the education system, treatment of teachers, and the reformation of school courses. The chairman will be KAMOI, Yu, chief editor of the HOKKAI MAINICHI. About thirty people of the union of KANAZAWA teachers want to speak at the meeting, which promises to be a success.

SOCIAL SERIES: 204 (Continued)

Summary:

Great hopes are placed by General MacARTHUR's Headquarters on the elevation of the Japanese women's social position, as a cornerstone in a democratic JAPAN. At a press interview held on 19 January, opinions were exchanged among the officers concerned on the women's role in the forthcoming general election, and the political awakening of women was urged.

The interview was attended by such representatives of General Headquarters as Commander SWOPE of the Military Government, Major GURTSU of the Public Health and Welfare Section, First Lieutenant TEJAMIN of the Civil Information and Education Section, and Second Lieutenant WEED of the Women's Army Corps.

After Miss WEED, who had previously contributed an article with suggestions on the same topic to our paper, had stated her opinion on the women's role in the forthcoming general election, a discussion was held under the chairmanship of Captain HENDERSON of the press subsection of the Civil Information and Education Section. The discussion was continued in a friendly atmosphere on such topics as women's suffrage, women's activities, etc. for more than an hour.

The gist of the speech made by Miss WEED is as follows:

"According to statistics, the number of female voters is exceeding that of male voters by 2,700,000. In FRANCE, women's suffrage has also just been granted for the first time, and in the general election which took place several weeks ago, 53 per cent of the voters were women, and 31 women delegates were elected. I am sure that if every Japanese woman recognizes the fact that the one vote cast by her has such a close relationship to the daily life of the people, she will be much interested in the election. And when all the Japanese women exercise their vote, they will be respected by ether democratic countries. "To realize this, it is necessary to explain first the relationship between the vote cast by a woman and her daily life to all classes of women in urban as well as rural districts. I believe that Japanese women have an adequate knowledge of such matters. Among those who visit our office, however, some women asked me whether or not the newly promulgated Labor Union Law is also applicable to women. In view of this fact, I hope that the women who are working for women's education would make the fact widely known among their women readers."

Summary:

The Consumers' Co-operative Department of the TOKYO Metropolitan Office is now drafting a memorandum to encourage the citizens to organize consumers' co-operatives for themselves and give guidance concerning their co-operation. Throughout TOKYO there has been organized, so far, only one union authorized by the Industrial Guild Law. There are also 500 other co-operatives, but they are all superficial and have no firm basis. The TOKYO Metropolitan Office is considering giving such privileges as direct dealing with the Central Market. What are the conditions the authorities recommend? They are as follows:

• 1.The leader: Ward masters or ward business headmen organize a union fully respecting the will of the consumers. The union to be organized is also under the management of the general distribution organ, so far handled by the town offices, and therefore it must have - 2 -

•   SOCIAL SERIES: 204 (Continued) ITEM 4 (Continued) close liaison with the ward office.
• 2.The sphere of a union: A union's jurisdiction is recommended to be equal to a single area of consumers, as the present town assembly or the Metropolitan office may indicate. In case there are two or three unions in the same town, the funds they could collect would be too small to keep their union for a long time. The shops which are authorized to handle the controlled articles can only be smoothly managed on the present unit of the distributional district.
• 3.The relation with retailers: One of the most difficult problems is how to absorb the retailers living in the district. One of the most suitable ways recommendable is to absorb vegetable or fish mongers, and others, into the personnel of the union end enable them to get commodities at cheaper prices. Any profits made on distribution are to be added to the union's fund in order the union may not be used for illicit business.
• 4.Durability: The union must have considerable durability. At any time in the future the existing town assemblies or neighborhood associations may be dissolved. This union will then become the center of mutual aid. Accordingly, more than half the residents of a town must actually assume membership in the union.
• 5.Political aspects: There are some political movements in the organization of unions, but this must be avoided. For this reason, the leaders who organize unions must be fair and responsible. The Metropolitan Office has thus far encouraged the organization of unions. Furthermore, consumers' federations on the present ward unit system are to be organized, gathering up all the unions in the same ward as they become strengthened or better managed.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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