Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0042, 1945-12-01.

Full Translation:

It is recognized by every one that the SHIDEHARA Cabinet, which is a transitional one, cannot be strong from any viewpoint and is lacking in force. This has been most distinctly demonstrated by the Premier's administrative speach at the beginning of the 89 Extraordinary Session of the Diet.

It has been a common evil, in all past cabinets, for the Premier's administrative address before the Diet to consist of a simple statement of each departments polices. Premier SHIDEHARA'S address was too unimpressive in view of the present unprecedented situation.

The comparitive honesty of the Premier is manifested in the following two points of his speech. The first is the statement that "the ultimate power that controls the minds of men and regulates internal and external affairs of all countries must be neither the sword nor the gun, but virtue." And the second is his request that the Nation should "not be downhearted or bewildered but should march forward bravely toward the construction of a new JAPAN." Since these passages in his speech are based on the hard bitter facts, which a defeated nation cannot avoid, that "we do not possess the power to uphold and carry out our policies which we ourselves believe to be just and equitable," these are very impressive to us in spite of its general simplicity. In his bitterness as Premier of a defeated country, he is resorting to a universal sense of justice in human society. Thinking of his state of mind breaks the hearts of the entire nation. For all that, we should like the Premier to have broader and deeper views.

In the first place, the Premier is relying on a universal sense of justice only from the standpoint of JAPAN and complaining that "under abnormal postwar conditions of all countries in the world, this sense of justice is not yet in full play". Of course we cannot deny this fact, but the Premier should realize that all countries have experienced the bitter and deep experiences of worldwide calamities which a modern war brings both the victors and the defeated. This bitter experience is the very cause of all international efforts to eliminate war. The real content of universal justice is to make efforts for the elimination of war.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 42 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

In the second place, we must discuss who is holding this sense of justice. As to this question, we want to give a very concrete reply to the Premier. It is the masses in every country, whether it be a victor or not, who are sincerely desirous of the elimination of war and are cooperating for that object. This is shown by the efforts to combine the labor unions of all countries into one international union. Moreover, we want to cite General EISENHOWER'S statement in the Lower House of the UNITED STATES, to the effect that the SOVIET UNION is always keeping the views of the masses in mind, and so the relations between AMERICA and the SOVIET UNION will become better.

Since the Premier feels sorry for the loss of power to uphold justice, does he not recognize that power is the substance of diplomacy at present and in the future? Such a man as the Premier, who cannot understand the real feeling of the masses, can never know where the sense of justice is rested. Be what it may, the beliefs which are worthy of the Premier are only the two passages mentioned above. The other parts are only a technical arrangement of political platforms. Since it is only an arrangement of policies, we cannot feel the slightest zeal for its practice. Moreover, we cannot agree with his expression "the revival and growth of a democratic tendency". Can we be satisfied with the revival and growth of a democratic "tendency"? What we are aiming at is not merely a "tendency". This expression exposes the obscure and indefinite character of the present Cabinet which is not supported by the people at large.

The SHIDEHARA Cabinet is too heavily loaded for its weak character. Before it disposes of one load, another load is put on its shoulder. Giving the names of the loads in its charge is not enough to warrant national confidence in the Cabinet. The Premier expected that the "Whole Nation", united as one man, should exhibit the most vigorous constructive spirit. However, his speech, which was unimpressive, will not encourage the people.

Full Translation:

I cannot help feeling pity in hearing that many poor children who have lost their parents and relatives through the air attacks have been received in a certain asylum. I want to bring up such children as my own. Can't my desire be permitted?

As I am making a decent living as a farmer. I am sure that the orphans would not be hungry if they were brought up as my own children.

Full Translation:

Quite a number of children have become orphans, losing their parents and near relatives through war misfortunes. Of course I know that the metropolitan authorities receive them in asylums and bring them up under the care of asylum personnel.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 42 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

In spite of that, these children are feeling extreme loneliness caused by the death of their parents. At this time of food famine, I don't think the asylums have sufficient food for them. How will they be able to get along with their clothing distribution? Under such critical conditions their lives are threatened with more difficulties. For that reason, I want them to be given as soon as possible to parents who will bring them up.

Here in TOKYO are many who want to bring them up as their own children. There are less than 500 war orphans who would be soon taken in to be brought up.

Some may be so selfish as to want only the orphans' inheritance, but such persons could be found by investigation. If it we doubtful, it would be well that the authorities take charge of their inheritance until they have grown up. It has been said that the authorities do not want the orphans to be sent away on the grounds that they established the asylums with difficulty or on grounds of anxiety about the inheritance. They mistake the means for the end. Should the orphans not be taken into warn homes as soon as possible so that they may surmount their difficulties? If they can't be adopted, they will be brought up by trustees. Anyhow, I want them to create parents quickly.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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