Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0200, 1946-01-24.

Full Translation:

Due to the coal shortage and the decrease in the supply of chemicals, production of pulp in the third quarter of the 1945 fiscal year showed a gradual decline. Production was 80 per cent of the scheduled in October, 55 per cent in November and 60 per cent in December. Taking into consideration the present salt and coal situation the scheduled production of pulp for the fourth quarter was fixed at 40 per cent for rayon and 50 per cent for paper.

The details on the actual production figures of pulp in the third quarter are 1,000 tons for rayon and 45,700 tons for paper, which is 13 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively, of the production schedule of 7,400 tons and 64,800 tons. The production schedule for the fourth quarter is 3,000 tens for rayon (1,000 tons a month) and 27,000 tons for paper (9,000 tons a month). However, considering the present coal situation, the production of only 600 tons of pulp for rayon manufacture seems possible (i.e., 20 per cent of the schedule.) This would have an important bearing upon the rayon industry.

On the other hand, since coal does not have such a great effect on the production of pulp for paper manufacture, the schedule in the case seems attainable.

The comparative table between the schedule and production of pulp in October and November of 1945 is ns follows:

October

November

In December, the scheduled figure was approximately equal to that for November, but production figures were rather lower compared with November.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 200 (Continued)

Full Translation:

The drafts for the regulations relative to the enforcement of the Farm Land adjustment Law (NOCHI CHOSEI HO), to be put into effect by Imperial Ordenance, and the rules thereof, to be provided by ministerial order, will be submitted to the Cabinet for discussion at the meeting to be held on the 22 January. The Farm Land Adjustment Law was approved by the 89th Diet session. The 15th Article of the regulation draft contains, among other items, that tenant rent will be paid in cash as of 1 April. Legal efforts to introduce peasant proprietors will begin as of 1 March.

The members of the Farm Land Committees (NOCHI I-INKAI) of [illegible]uni[illegible]polites will be chosen by vote during March, according to the revised rules, and list of elector's names will be completed before 10 March. The election of members of the Farm Land Committees in the cities, prefectures, and other larger administrative divisions, will be carried cut as soon as the chairmen of the municipal Farm Land Committees are elected.

Full Translation:

In order to eliminate misunderstanding now prevailing among the general public about the Government plan for coercive measures to force food delivery from farmers, the Government published on 22 January a declaration explaining the real aim of the Government in taking such a step in the form of a talk by the Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Chief Cabinet Secretary's Talk: "The current food situation is more than serious. The Government has been and is making every effort to overcome it. As for food importation for which permission has been granted in principle by the Allied Headquarters, the Government is now making all arrangements to materialize it at the earliest possible date. But at this juncture, it is absolutely necessary to get rice delivery from farmers completed and to secure an equal distribution of food. No aid can be expected unless the Government and the people have done everything possible for the difficulties. To our great regret, rice deliveries up to the present have shown utterly unsatisfactory results. It may be partly due to the poor rice crop and delay in making arrangements for the deliveries. It is evident, however, that a considerable amount has been hoarded or slipped out of legal channels by some people for gaining unlawful profits while some other people are hunting for rice stocks on black market for their own selfish interests. Moreover, there are some people who urge a three go ration on one hand and insist, on the other hand, that rice delivery should be left to the farmer's option. If the situation continues unchecked grave consequences will surely come before long.

"Under the circumstances, the Government has decided on coercive measures for food control on behalf of the people. It goes without saying that the present food crisis can not be overcome without the brotherhood spirit of the people who are new confronting the situation. So, the Government expects farmers to co-operate wholeheartedly promoting rice delivery and at the same time will carry out every necessary measure with a firm decision. The Government intends to resort to coercive measures not indiscriminately, but against vicious actions hampering the food deliveries. Punishment will be meted out for all malignant people hindering the rightful distribution of food regardless of whether they are farmers, traders or consumers.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 200 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

"To sum up, the Government wants to change the unjust state of things in which honest people always undergo a loss. Agricultural necessities will be supplied surely and promptly. For example, fertilizer supply will be secured by way of a preferential distribution of coal to the fertilizer industry. Textiles will also be supplied preferentialy to farming people".

Summary:

With the impending farm land reform and the possible food crisis, a movement for the democratization of farm villages is now gaining ground among farmers throughout the country under the leadership of both the Communists and the Social Democratics. Up to now, there have been two organizations such as the Farmers' Committee (HOMIN IINKAI) set up by the Communists and the Japan Farmers' Association (NIPPON NOMINKUMIAI) by the Social Democratic Party to carry out the movement according to their own policies. However, in view of the recent tendency to present a common front for economic democratization, it is up to them to reorganize these two associations into a single on to attain their common purpose.

In a situation like this, Messrs, KURADA, [illegible]and FUJITA of the National Agricultural Association (ZENKOKU NAGYO KUMIAI) made, on 22 January, some pertinent suggestions regarding an immediate merger of these two farmers' associations into the so-called Farmers Union, and at the same time expressed their intentions to spare no efforts to give full support to the movement at second meeting for the organization of the Japanese Farmers Association.

Their suggestions included: (1) To struggle for eradicating the large landownership and reducing the tenant rent; (2) To take effective measures in regard to the delivery system; (3) To struggle against the red-tape agrarian associations; (4) To struggle against the feudalistic control system; (5) To promote increased production of farm products (for instance, to secure materials necessary for farming equipment and to establish the co-operative associations among farmers).

They insist, at the same time, that the Farmers' Union should be a permanent one and should not consist of tenants alone, but of all classes of farmers so as to produce considerable good through the movement. As a result of these suggestions, keen attention is being directed toward the future of this movement as well as the future policy the Social Democratic Party mil adopt toward the suggested merger.

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