Press translations [Japan]. Economic Series 0240, 1946-02-01.

Full Translation:

KINKI District:

• (A).SHIGA-Ken - In the districts north and east of Lake BIWA, the sowing was delayed about ten days owing to rainy weather. But on the whole, 97 per cent of the area allotted for cultivation was sown by the end of December. In fact, as compared with last year, it is estimated that about 1,000 chobu (2,450 acres) more has been seeded. As this prefecture is a rice-producing place, the distribution of fertilizer for wheat growing was very scarce. Farmers mostly used a vegetable manure and animal waste. Labor could not be said to be sufficient to finish sowing in a short time. However growth of the wheat has progressed satisfactorily. No damage has been done by insects or disease. In the districts north of the Lake, the wheat is apt to be damaged by frost and snow. Farmers are doing their utmost to procure a good wheat crop so that they may make up for the poor rice crop. If it continues to be as warm as at present, the wheat crop may be unexpectedly abundant.
• (B).KYOTO-Fu - The sowing was conducted satisfactorily in thee early period. It is reported that the sowing of 83 per cent of the allotted area of 21,000 chobu (51,450 acres) has been finished. It seems the actual figures exceed the reported percentage. Farmers have had no distribution of fertilizer, although they are to receive two kan of ammonium sulphate per tan for the wheat cultivation. They did the best they could with barnyard manure or other home-made manure. The wheat is growing favorably. There has been no damage done by insects, birds, or disease, although there has been some damage by frost in certain districts. Farmers are very eager about the cultivation of wheat in order to make up for the bad rice crop. Moreover, the weather is so favorable that an abundant crop i s anticipated.
• (C).OSAKA-Fu - The sowing of l5, 6l5 chobu, the whole area of land allotted for wheat cultivation, was finished a little earlier than usual. Compared to the previous year, this shows an increase of 3,215 chobu (Chemical fertilizer is very scarce). Farmers were obliged to use fertilizer which had been distributed for addititional dressing of rice. Nevertheless, barnyard manure was considerably abundant. Besides, labor is sufficient. Growth of the wheat is progressing favorably and abundant crop is anticipated, as the weather is favorable and farmers are set upon obtaining a large crop.
• (D).HYOGO-Ken - Sowing was conducted favorably in proper season. Almost the whole area of 59,600 chobu (146,020 acres), which was allotted for cultivation, has bean completely sown. Since farmers were favored with sufficient labor and materials, and there

•   ECONOMIC SERIES: 240 (Continued) ITEM 1 (Continued) has been no damage done by insects and disease, growth of the wheat is progressing favorably. This year, ordinary methods were mainly applied in sowing. The transplantation was applied only on 14 chobu. Both types of wheat are growing well. An abundant crop is anticipated, if things continue as they are.
• (E).NARA-Ken - The area planned for cultivation of wheat was19,000 odd chobu. About 96 per cent of the sowing has been finished, which is 2,500 chobu more than the previous year. Chemical fertilizer was distributed in amounts of only one kan of ammonium sulphate per tan. To make up for a shortage of chemical fertilizer, encouragement was given for production and processing of barnyard manure. The Wheat has grown, so well that there are indications of even too much growth. There has been no damage by insects, disease, frost or snow. Besides, farmers are doing their best to increase the production. It is considered certain that the crop will be abundant if the weather continues to be favorable.
• (F).WAKAYAMA-Ken - Sowing was conducted favorably, with a considerable increase in area over last year. Sowing in 95 per cent of the planned area has been finished. Farmers are favored with labor and materials and the wheat has not suffered from damage by insects, disease or cold. Growth is progressing favorably, but it is undeniable that farmers are handicapped by a shortage of fertilizer. The distribution was only one kan of ammonium sulphate per tan. In order to cover the shortage of fertilizer, the prefectural authorities are endeavoring to induce farmers to increase the production of barnyard manure and to employ other available methods of making fertilizer. Meanwhile, the farmers zeal to increase production is remarkable. It is expected that sowing of the remaining area of allotted land will be completed in the near future. She weather has been comparatively favorable, though in some district it has rained very heavily. At any rate, it is considered certain that the wheat crop will be normal.

CHUGOKU District - A good wheat harvest is anticipated because sowing was done in proper season and the farmers have been favored with good weather. At present, the growth is progressing favorably. A large croe would certainly result if fertilizer were supplied. Farmers are short of both chemical and home-made manure. They have not yet been given any fertilizer, although the allotment was supposed to be 20 or 30 per cent of the previous year. Barnyard manure, too, was not produced in the quantity desired because of confused conditions after the termination of the war. However, in order to cover a shortage of fertilizer with labor, it is intended to carry out thoroughgoing management, taking advantage of abundant labor brought on by demobilization. Materials are also short. But this does not matter very much. Growing conditions are generally favorable in each district. At present, there is no damage by insect or disease. Farmers intend to produce a larger crop, although their desire is being checked by a shortage of fertilizer. An abundant crop is anticipated if the weather remains favorable.

Summary:

Since his appointment as Minister of Finance, SHIBUSAWA has been intending to reform the present budget system. In preparation of this move, SHIBUSATA ordered the Accountant's Bureau (SHUKEI KYOKU) to make a study of budget systems in foreign countries. Mean

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ECONOMIC SERIES: 240 (Continued)

ITEM2 (Continued)

while, aiming at the establishment of a new budget system, and a unification of budget with policy, he has been conducting a detailed investigation of the actual situation.

The chief points in the minister's new budget system are; (1) Separating personal expenditures and expenditures for materials in the budget from other expenditures necessary for government activities; (2) Clarification of budgetary payments and change in planning; (3) Guidance and direction of budgetary expenses by financial authorities.

The first item above shows the weakness of the present budget system of JAPAN. The expenditures necessary for enacting policies have been so complicated that they were often taken for expenditures for personnel and materials. Consequently, the actual object of policy has not been clearly revealed, and it was difficult to ascertain how much actual expenses were. The second item is very important for the prevention of inflation and for the control of monetary circulation. In the present system, just any organ of the Government cannot make a composite supervision of budgetary expenditures. On account of this difficulty, the Bank of JAPAN is not in a situation to assume responsibility for controlling finances. Many troubles in the settlement of price problems are also due to the unlimited payment of the Governmental budget. It will be important to readjust this point, and the enactment of supervision by the financial authorities over the payment budget is also necessary. In short, the chief points which are considered by SHIBUSAYWA are to attain maximum results by means ox conscious operation of national finance and to take steps toward a retrenchment policy, thereby preventing financial confusion. This step has been desired by financial circles for many years.

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