Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0210, 1946-01-26.

Summary:

Despite popular opposition, the Government will put into effect its authoritarian food control as one of the technical means by which to present famine. An emergency Imperial Ordinance has been drafted and is being submitted to the Cabinet meeting today. It will come into force as soon as possible after necessary procedures have been taken. This authoritarian control extends not only to staple foods, but also over perishable provisions.

The emergency Imperial Ordinance to be enacted reads as follows: "Staple food required to be sold to the Government, when not delivered by a given time, will be expropriated by the Government. Penal servitude not to exceed three years or a fine not to exceed 10,000 yen will be imposed upon offenders."

The Government is authorized by the articles of the Imperial Ordinance to issue the necessary directives concerning the distribution, assignment, use, consumption, custody, transfer in place, and price control of vegetables and fruits, marine products and other provisions (processed food).

The Government has declared that it will bring about compulsory food control in this way, in order to gain better results in rice delivery and, at the same time, stabilize national life.

Allied economic policy for JAPAN has been made public. The Government, therefore, must distribute the critical supply of routine necessities by fair means because it is responsible under the Allied directive.

The Government has adopted a system for greater production of staple food through which fertilizer, farming implements, cotton goods, etc., will be awarded to farmers in exchange for rice delivery. Severe punishment will be imposed, upon black-marketeering. Perishable foods will come into control again. The Government anticipates that this policy will stabilize national life in general.

Whether this authoritarian control will result in better rice delivery and in fair distribution of routine necessities is a moot question. If this policy should have unexpected results, the Government must bear the whole political burden. It will have a serious effect on the future of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet.

ECONOMIC SERIES: 210 (Continued)

Summary:

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has worked out a plan for coal distribution in February. According to the plan, the amount to be distributed is 1,491,000 metric tons, an increase of 105,000 metric tons as compared with January.

The distribution will be increased to principal industries as follows: 1. Ammonium Sulphate Industry - An increase of 15,000 metric tons. This is sufficient to work plants in full. 2. Railway Services - An increase of 60,000 metric tons. Traffic service will be more fully resumed. 3. Iron and Steel Industry - An increase of 15,000 metric tons. 4. Electric Power Plants - An increase of 15,000 metric tons. This will serve the plants in the KYUSHU District for electrification by steam power to cover a gap caused by dry weather.

These are the amounts to be guaranteed, and if the coal production is increased, more ration will preferably be made to those principal quarters.

The supply plan in February is as follows:

Amount of Supplies (Unit: thousand metric tons)

*The figure in parentheses shows the amount may be brought up from the January production.

Amount of Distribution (Unit: thousand, metric tons)

The recruitment of mine workers has been showing a favorable turn. In the first recruitment in November and December, more than 60,000 were secured beyond the goal, and in the second recruitment period of January to March 9,666 workers were secured by 12 January against the goal of 73,730 persons.

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 210 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

The result of recruitment during 1 to 12 January is as follows:

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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