Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0113, 1945-12-17.

Summary:

The term "malnutrition" has come into vogue lately, but few people seem to understand this technical term, which properly belongs to the medical profession.

When a friend of mine told me that I had put on a weight, I wondered whether it was a healthy symptom or not. I consulted a doctor and he explained that if I lived only on rations, I could not avoid lacking in vitamins, and asked me if I didn't drink too much water in order to satisfy my appetite. My apparent corpulence is, according to the doctor, due to kidney trouble, which I have developed through an unbalanced diet. He advised me to get medical treatment at once, lest my disease become chronic. I then understood the real cause of my stoutness quite clearly.

Here is another case: A child of a friend of mine was injured in an air raid. In spite his parents' efforts, his wound became worse. The doctor said that medical treatment, if not accompanied by a proper diet, would not avail, and added that malnutrition, from which the patient was suffering, made healing of the injury difficult.

There are no symptoms of which the: patient is conscious in the case of malnutrition, although it is prevalent today. Irresponsible doctors are apt to oversimplify the ailments of their patients, diagnosing all cases as malnutrition. Thus, they lead the ignorant mass of people into morbid fear and a frenzied rush to the black markets. The people will ruin not only their own economy but that of the State as well. Doctors should reassure them by giving them a clear idea of what proper nourishment is.

When we view JAPAN's present condition, we find many instances of malnutrition in various strata of society. The causes of JAPAN'S defeat may be traced also to a malnutrition due to a lack of natural resources and scientific development. Some of the administrative policies of the Government may again be regarded as instances of unbalanced nutrition. This malady must be eliminated somehow. It requires fundamental treatment instead of all patnic measures.

What is the fundamental treatment? It must be found through the united efforts of doctors, the people, and the Government. The symptoms of diseases due to malnutrition are seen everywhere. We must prevent these diseases by nourishing our power of resistance through self-reflection and research. We should not rely on others but upon ourselves.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 113 (Continued)

Summary:

Allied General Headquarters has ordered the Japanese Government to offer a plan for the reform of the system of farm Lands and other feudalistic restrictions by next March with a view toward establishing democracy in JAPAN. It is indispensable to civilize rural communities, where medieval feudalism is still dominant. Agriculture depends wholly upon land; consequently, the landlords have influence upon their tenant farmers comparable to that of the farmer feudal lords upon their people. This tendency is conspicuous especially in remote districts where the benefits of culture cannot be enjoyed. Many evil traditions still exist in such places.

The transfer of land alone is not sufficient to stabilize the farmers' lives. The adjustment of farm product prices, the lowering of taxes, the encouragement of farmer's associations, and many other things must be considered. Leaders for these reforms must appear from .among the farmers themselves. However, this is difficult, for the ambitious people abandoned their native villages and gathered in cities to become soldiers, officials, merchants, and manufacturers. Consequently, the people who are left behind consist of elder sons who must succeed to their families' estates, incompetent people who cannot support themselves in town, and poor farmers' children who could not get educations.

Now, all of JAPAN is starting anew. Many people who abandoned their native villages are returning there to become farmers. When such people live in rural districts, they will be surprised to find themselves so far from civilization, and will be inclined to devote themselves to the development, of their environment. Conventional restrictions, superstitions and many other old evils will be removed step by step. At the same time, we believe that existing useful system found there must be preserved and promoted, such as the mutual assistance system, and the household group system.

Civilization in JAPAN flourished only in urban life. The economic condition of the rural districts remained in a primitive state. They were the source of fedualism in this country. Therefore, their development is the prerequisite for the construction of a. new JAPAN. The Government must make great efforts to realize the purpose of this directive.

Summary:

It is revealed that the estimated amount of rice, as announced by the National Agricultural Association on 8 December, is 1,675,000 koku less than the 41,292,000 koku which the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry announced as the current year's estimated production, considering the damages caused by October's typhoon. In addition to the defeat, we experienced this great crop failure in 1945.

It seems to be quite natural that the Nation, which is on the verge of starvation, should demand a three go ration of rice. However, the Government's explanation that three go of rice per person a day

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EDITORIAL SEREIS: 113 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

cannot be had as long as this country is suffering from an absolute shortage of staple foods is understandable. But a man of political talent must produced something, even from nothing. It is difficult, though, to expect such political acumen or diplomatic skill from the SHIDEHARA Cabinet. The present Cabinet is non-partisan, separated from the people, and an interim cabinet which is to be relieved by democratic forces before long. Presumably, the Cabinet enjoys little confidence on the part of Allied Headquarters.

Recently, General Headquarters demanded JAPAN’s Cabinet to initiate more thorough-going amendments to the Farm Land Reform Bill which, it is feared, will remain tabled by the current session of the Diet. The Diet was further directed to present the programs concerning the agricultural co-operative association movement which aims at elevating the economic and cultural status of Japanese farmers. This indicates that the most important reform bill concerning agrarian workers, who are the core of the Nation as the Government itself loudly proclaims, is yet incomplete from the standpoint of Allied Headquarters.

Furthermore, consider how slowly deliberation has been progressing on the Labor Union Law Reform Bill, which is so fundamentally essential to the promotion of democracy in this land. Perhaps General MacARTHUR cannot assume a sympathetic attitude toward JAPAN under this state of affairs. Therefore, the only opportunity left to the Nation lies in the forthcoming general election, upon which the solution of the problem concerning three go rations of rice is dependent. If many democrats are elected in the forthcoming election and a democratic cabinet is formed, not only the Nation, but General MacARTHUR as well, will be sure to entertain a favorable attitude towards the new Cabinet. It is also certain that General MacARTHUR will become more sympathetic toward a Nation which has secured a new democratic Cabinet. One must remember that it is the forthcoming general election that decides whether or not three go rations of rice daily per person will be permitted.

Summary:

The bill for revising the election law which has been changed by the House of Representatives was sent to the House of Peers and, although the latter may make further amendments to the bill, it must be adopted in the current session of the Diet. There is no doubt that the revision of this law marks the beginning of the establishment of a new , democratic JAPAN. However, At seems to us that the masses have assumed an indifferent attitude toward it, as though they were unconscious of its importance. Therefore, the Government , during the coming general election, should adopt a. vigorous policy through which the masses can be guided while determing their choices for office.

What points deserves greatest importance in leading the electorate? In our opinion, voters must be taught which is preferable, the personality of a candidate or the policy advocated by him. We hope the latter is adopted as the main consideration for voters in the forthcoming general election. The personality of a candidate may be preferable when we enjoy a quiet period without any serious problems, and the administration of the Government does not have a decisive

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 113. (Continued)

ITEM: 4 (Continued)

influence upon the fate of the State and the happiness of the people. But, during an emergency, necessitating stern policies to tide over a. crisis, the mere dependence on the personalities of those in charge of the Government does not guarantee decisive action.

In this case only those who believe in stern policies applicable to the problems at hand can tide over the cirsis. Although he may be a. man of noble personality, if he lacks foresight and cannot discern the trends of militarism and ultra-nationalism which has forced the Nation to groan under its resent mieries, he is surely unable to surmount the difficulties - accompanying future problems; furthermore, he may put the state in a worse condition than before. Or, even though he be a man with foresight, so long as he is independent and has not political affiliations, he will be unable to implement his policies. Accordingly, the selection of an Individual candidate is important, but what is more important is discerning the, policies and the party to which the candidate belongs. Herein lies the necessity of political training and discernment on the part of the masses in the coming general election..

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