Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0088, 1945-12-14.

Full Translation:

The history of defeated JAPAN which has been published by the Allied Forces, makes us marvel at how thoroughly and methodically it was prepared. If JAPAN's Army and Navy leaders had studied at least one-tenth as much about the state of affairs in AMERICA, the stupid war would not have taken place.

There are some sections of this history, however, of which we cannot approve. For example, it says that those candidates which the Government backed in 1933 met with utter defeat in the general election, clearly disclosing the indignation of the Japanese Nation over the Manchurian Incident.

In 1932 an election was held by the INUGAI Ministry, and among those candidates who were supported by the Government, 303 were elected. Thus they formed the largest Government party that we had seen since the establsihment of the Diet.

In 1933 at the time of SAITO's non-party Government, the Government party was not thoroughly defeated, because no election was held. To tell the truth, before and after the Manchurian Incident, the whole nation was indifferent to war, politics, and diplomacy, and the people were occupied with the serious depression facing them at that time.

It was the GUMATSU who aimed at a break between the people and politics. If the people had been conscious enough of the issues at stake in the general election to completely defeat the Government party because of the Manchurian Incident, the tragedy of war might have been checked. It was only from the last years of the CHINA Incident up to the World War, after they were forced to come face to face with military affairs, politics, and diplomacy that the Japanese people began to consider in earnest how serious the matter was. Taking advantage of this indifference, the GUMBATSU and the officials had established a perfect despotic system. It may well be said that the root of JAPAN's tragedy lay in her national unconsciousness.

As to the subject of a general election, a foreign problem seldom became the principal issue, and even if it did, the voters were not interested in it. In spite of the importance of such a subject as the settlement of the Manchurian Incident, emphasis was laid on the removal of the gold embargo and the depression in the general election of 1932. The people were interested in domestic problems.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 88 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

Now, the coming general election Seems a thing apart from domestic problems. It is a new starting-point to decide upon the international position of JAPAN in the future. In order not to repeat mistakes caused by militarism, the first consideration must be the awakening of the nation.

Full Translation:

Optimism which rests on mere wishful thinking and not on a scientific observation will result in a dreadful state of affairs. The result of this war furnishes the best example of that fact. However, we are afraid that such optimism is still prevalent among the Government and people. One talks easily of a dark prospect for the future, but thinks in his mind it may become somewhat better. Is there any one who can deny the prevalence of such lines of thinking?

Taking up the food problem, for instance, some say the crisis will be in February next year, and others say they will have the hardest time of it next May or June. Meanwhile they are all harboring absurd hopes that they may manage the difficulties somehow. If one recognizes the crisis in its reality, one must devote all one's efforts to tide it over. Are the government authorities ready to take sufficient measures to combat the crisis? The extreme shortage of coal products has brought about the suspension of transportation on a large scale, causing a panic not only among school boys but also among industrial circles. Yet some are optimistic with a vague hope that it will turn better by next January.

Could the lukewarm steps taken by the Government, at present, secure the minimum possible amount of coal necessary for general operations? Granting that the shortage of labor be fully covered, it would be premature to consider the necessary amount of coal as already secured. It is entirely idle to think lightly of this problem at a time when the authorities are still busy calling out coal miners.

The plan of the reparations has been clarified before the Nation's eyes. Fair as it may be, its influence over our national economy is deep and intense. Neverthless it could not be said that there is no one who is optimistic about it remembering the failure of its imposition on the German people after the First World War.

Further, as for the inflation problem there are those who think that the policy for returning to deflation recently decided on by the finance authorities would bring immediate results. As if deflation would come in a few days[illegible]Administrative plans based on such fancy will be to no avail.

In analyzing phenomena, social, economic or otherwise, if wishful thinking is involved and optimistic conclusions be deduced accordingly lukewarm steps will be taken. Such an attitude of mind causes unexpected confusion especially when things are not running their normal course as at present. Our economic foundation has been greatly undermined during the past eight years of war, especially during the half year before the war's end.

Disadvantageous conditions are easily seen all over the country. We require of the authorities the fullest cognizance of the current

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 88 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

situation, and advise them to analyze the reality coolly without underlyingin any wishful thinking and then make a scientific and drastic plan for the reconstruction of JAPAN.

Summary:

The seeking of war criminals has already entered into the field of education. In S[illegible]DAI a middle school director was forced to retire because he secretly continued the teaching of KENDO (TN: Japanese fencing). The Occupational Forces sentenced two directors of SHIOTAKA after discovering secret training with wooden guns and long spears, called NAGINATA. There facts have shaken the whole educational world. Surely we must hold the Education Ministry responsible for such acts. Minister of Education MAEDA has assured us that nationalism has already been repealed, but his failure to abolish all military education is not understandable.

The existing school system with military drill as a main educational factor can be found nowhere else in the world. This was not a reform but a great set back for the Japanese educational system. The National School System was an imitation of those in GERMANY and MANCHURIA. I was an art-destroying plan of the TOJO-militaristic and Manchurian sycophants and an intri[illegible]ue to lower the level of Japanese education.

For the revival of Democracy we must abolish the National School System and return to the Primary School System of old JAPAE. One must understand that the National School System is considered a war crime, especially when surveying the list of members of the Educational Consideration Society which has introduced the system. KONOYE, Tumimara; KIDO, Koichi: AOKI, Kazuo; UMEZU, Bijiro; YAMAMOTO, Isorohu; INO, Takaya; TOGO, Minorn; MINAMI. Hiroshi; ABE, Nabuyuhi; OKOCHI, Masaharn; SHIMOMURA, Hiro; and HASHIDA, Kunihiko have already been announced as war criminals by Allied Headquarters. However, there are others who may be called education criminals, and they are KAZAMI, Takao; SAKUDA Shoichi; YAMDA, Shira; YASUI, Eiji; and HAYASEI, Hakutaro.

Chief of the Education Bureau ARIMITSU received severe punishment for his text book on militarism discovered by the Americans. The MAEDA isn't to be placed on the war criminals list he had better promote more effectively education in democratic directions. Even on the radio, the program "JAPAN's Peace and Democracy" by KINOSHITA, Kazuo, who formerly advocated military science in Education, is being brodcast on the higher school hour. Can't we be made to feel the ardent desire of the Ministry of Education to democratize education? (Letter by UEDA, Shozahuro).

(Answer to "High-class Cigarettes")

I want to reply to the criticism about the "high class cigarette" appearing in this column in the 30 November issue. The productive ability has dropped because many factories have suffered air-raids, still one may observe a slight revival. We are intending to increase cigarette distribution from the present 90 per month up to 120 per month. Of course we are aware that 120 is not much for a smoker. Therefore we are planning a system of selling cigarettes. These cigarates, as it has been announced, are not yet fixed at ten yen per package. The price will be settled after completing all

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 88 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

arrangements. We will further make efforts to raise the amount of cigarettes to be distributed. In accomplishing this we have to consider that we must increase incomes and prevent inflation.

We regret that we were unable to distribute along with the NOZOMI tobacco the necessary cigarette paper. This will be remedied in the future. We will also try to reduce the width of the MINORI tobacco along with the increase of productive ability. (Letter from the tobacco section of the Monopoly Bureau).

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