Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0106, 1945-12-26.

Summary:

In the past two months, the worst crisis in coal production was in November, but some hopes for increased production were aroused recently. However, the Government has been notified several times on the subject by General Headquarters. Production figures in recent times are as follows:

Scheduled figures in the future are as follows:

However, the December 1945 output will be spread around pretty thinly as can be seen from distribution figures for the month:

Whether we can tide over this economic crisis facing us with the above quantities is a serious question. The decrease in coal production is caused entirely by the indiscriminate digging during the war, and is affected directly by returning home of special miners.

Replenishing of miners will reach about 80 per cent for the scheduled plan of 60,000 miners by the end of this year. However, the problem depends upon stability and ability of mining laborers. Because of lack of experience and dearth of food, statistics indicate that coal mining is to fall to 2.7 metric tons per man - month compared with l4.8 tons in 1940, 10.8 tons in 1943, even though the first half-year of 1945, indicated a figure of 6.6 tons. By, the employment of seasonal miners, the output of coal in the winter period used to increase annually, but this year, on account of various difficulties we are faced with a coal shortage. Under the present situation, an increase in coal production is very necessary.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 106 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

Bureaucratic policies for handling the coal shortage are already exhausted. Moreover the coal crisis has advanced to such a point that it can not be solved peacemeal.

ITEM 2 Reconversion of Former Munitions Plants in Various Prefectures - Difficulties Encountered - Nippon Sangyo Keizai - 24 Dec 45. Translator: R. Shibata.

Summary:

The Provincial Commerce and Industry Section (CHIHO SHOKO SHORIBU) in KYUSHU held a conference regarding the reconversion of the munitions factories. According to reports brought up at the meeting, KYUSHU presents a number of problems on the subject:

• 1.There is a shortage of materials, and, paradoxically, less material is held by more efficient factories.
• 2.Materials at hand are often limited to a few kinds, or considerable per cent of such material is useless,
• 3.It is impossible at present, to mutual exchange between the factori[illegible]of materials that each might have and not be able to use.
• 4.There is no prospect of getting additional material in the future after consuming materials at hand.
• 5.Some of the producers are sabotaging or retarding production, in[illegible]of the prospect of rises in the price of materials especially of steel or because of the present low legal price which often does not pay ever the cost of production.

The immediate solution of these troubles is highly desired for the reconstruction of industries.

Next, we state below the general conditions in various other prefecture.

In FUKUOKA-Ken, the factories that have got into shape in the matter of conversion and are operating the equivalent of 582 factories. The agricultural implement factories amount to 150, household utensils factories 60, bicycle, light cars factories 200, and factories repairing railway cars and ships, 60. One hundred and thirty, companies and 160 factories have already submitted applications to the Allied Powers regarding conversion into peace-time goods production, 7 factories, of which have been given permits. The total number of the factories smaller than these amounts to 800. Every factories on the average is operating at about 30 per cent capacity.

In SAGA-Ken, the factories that are operating rather normally are only those producing earthenware, coal machines, wooden ships, or agriculture implements. Only 6,000 laborers, out of 30,000 who worked in the munitions factories during the war are now estimated to be working. Only 60 factories made applications to the Allied Powers for the production of peace-time goods, and 3 have obtained permission.

KUMAMOTO-Ken, the production of wooden-tools and fertilizer is taking a favorable course for the reconstruction. Especially the MIZUMATA factory of the NIPPON Nitrogen Fertilizer Company is now producing more than 100 tons a day. Carbide and cement factories are also being restored. However, in the machine industry, only 7 factories have begun

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 106 (Continued)

to work out of 50 that intend to begin.

In OITA-Ken, factories now in operation number 20 producing wooden implements, light making agricultural tools, five producing engines and bicycles, and four making household furniture. It is worth noticing that there are considerable numbers of applications for new establishment of factories. Scrap aluminium is highly demanded by producers in this Prefecture. Also, 16 machine factories have made applications to the Allied Powers for reconversion.

In MIYAKI-Ken, many factories collapsed in the typhoon which attacked this district most severely in September and most of them are still suffering from this damage. They are troubled with a shortage of building materials rather than of reconversion materials. Only four factories petitioned the Allied Power for permission to reconvert. In this Prefecture, there are 18 factories of the machine industry, 20 making wooden implements, 13 in the ship-building and 2 in the chemical industry.

In KAGOSHIMA-Ken, out of 50 factories of war-time prohibited goods production, 24 are already permitted to reconvert by the Allied Forces, Those factories are now engaged in the production of agricultural implements and articles of daily use, or in the repairing of fishing boats. But they are also troubled with the lack of coal and subsidiary materials.

Full Translation:

In accordance with the Allied directive to the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, a Silk Industry Research Organization (SANSH-GYO SHIFGI-KAI), is to be established and a bill on the subject was submitted to Headquarters for further study. The bill is as follows:

• I.An official organization for the silk industry under the temporary name of Silk Industry Research Organization is to be established.
• II.The functions to be fulfilled by the said organization will be:
• A.Take charge of silk yarn techniques
• B.Supervise the conditioning and classification of raw silk.
• C.Advise exporters in deciding quality and gauge of silk.
• D.Make investigations of over seas-demand for silk and distribute reports on foreign markets.
• E.In addition, it will investigate important factors leading to the improvement and development of the raw silk industry.
• III.The organ will consist of a president and 30 committees.
• IV.Election of the president and committees: The Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry will be the president of the organization. The committees will be appointed by the Minister from among officials of departments concerned, raw-silk traders and exports. Each group will have the following numbers; - 3 -

•   ECONOMIC SERIES: 106 (Continued) ITEM 3 (Continued)
• A.- Government officials —-6 (Head of the Raw Silk Bureau of the ministry, the head of Raw Silk Research Institute, heads of Raw Silk Inspection Institutes in KOBE and YOXOHAMA, the head of the Fextile Bureau of Commerce and Industry and a bureau head from the Finance Ministry.
• B.- Silk traders —- 20.
• C.- Experts —- 4. Committees coming from traders will be composed of sericulturists, silk-worm egg handlers, raw silk dealers, and exporters and are appointed by the silk industry. Research work for specials problems will he made by temporary committees or committees of expected.
• V.The organization will operate at Government expense.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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