Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0180, 1945-12-30.

Summary:

The establishment of a democratic police system is one of the most urgent questions, being popularly discussed in our country right new. In response to this popular demand, the evil features in our police system are gradually being wiped out, and it is clear that the authorities are trying to return to an auto-crime police, relinguishing altogether their former prominent position. For example, the Home Ministry is sending investigators to observe conditions in democratizing our police system, now in progress in all prefectures. Even here in ISHIKAWA-Ken, the HIROSAKA Police Station put up a notice of its public service regulations by way of establishing a basis for democracy.

At any rate, police control, which had been too strict, is gradually being adjusted. They (the police authorities) are attaching importance making the old police system change into a public service, and their attitude towards the public is being corrected though very slowly.

However, we cannot be satisfied with such superficial changes as that of dress. The democratization of our police system is not such an easy task as to be achieved by a mere change of dress. It calls for a more substantial conversion, and a fresh start in making sweeping changes of existing personnel, if possible. This will not be easy to accomplish, we can only doubt the present police authorities, who lack sufficient comprehension of it. For instance, we can see in the regulations put up at HIROSAKA Police Station that their attitude towards democracy is very superficial. There are many items there, all of which indicate nothing more than kindness and politeness.

The first item is as follows: "In dealing with public applications in Conversation, reception, and instruction, you should aim at kindness and politeness. Refrain from rough manners."

In place of these statements, the idea on how to be a democratic police force should be stressed. Of course, kindness is something which should be encouraged in our police force because it lacked woefully in kindness. Nevertheless, the factual knowledge by the police that it was not gentle with the public during the war is a prerequisite of the democratization of our police force.

The fundamental reason why a more kind attitude is demanded is in the fact that many remnants of feudalism still remain in our police system, The policemen existed to supervise the public. They existed

EDITORIAL SERIES: 180 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

not for the public, but for the existing Governments. Far from existing in common with the public, they assumed such rough attitudes as "Suspect everyone" in dealing with the public. Because of it, they needed prestige. To maintain prestige, they had no other means but threats or dictatorial acts.

It may be said that they were faithful to the law but not to the public people. However, it cannot be denied that these peaceful people were plagued by the police.

There may be a few among the present police who say with pride, "I am a friend of the public." Almost all of them are certainly under feudalistic hallucinations that they are Qualified to supervise the public.

The essential requisite for democratizing our police system is the consciousness and recognition of the principle that "the police should be for the public". When this principle is disregarded, there can be no talk of public service regulations. When the mental attitude of public servants reach their hearts, it can be said that the democratization of our police system has been almost accomplished. Kindness will then be generated among them. We wish to see them help mothers on the street and carry the children. We should like to see them going out to investigate occurrences, instead of having witnesses come to them. Only then the policemen, who are apparently feared but hated contempt behind their backs by the public, will win respect from the public and will become suitable instruments of a democratic nation.

Full Translation:

Premier SHIDKHARA said in his address at the Gubernatorial Conference that there will be no official interference in the forthcoming general election. The officials will, remain unconcerned spectators and "let sleeping dogs lie."

There is a limit to freedom in an election campaign. By some campaigns, the minimum of control necessary to maintain the equity of election will be considered interference, but the authorities should not be nervous at comments on interference. They should prevent vice and corruption for the purpose of constructing a democratic national organization. This is not interference for the support of a Government or a political party. If it is regarded as interference, then it must be considered as an inevitable consequence.

As financial laissez-faire brings about the predominance of the ZAIBATSU, a let-alone policy in elections strengthens the power of the so-called three BAN - the leather bag (KAWAKABAN), the poster (KAMBAN), and the constituency (JIBAN). The weight of a leather bag (symbolizing the candidate's money for his election expenses) has the most influence over the constituents in these days of inflation. In former times when all goods were low-priced, voters were bribed with a one yen note, a day's wages. A day's wage is presently high, but the meaning of obtaining a day's wage has not yet been swept away.

- 2 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 180 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

The sum of money allotted to the candidates of a party for their election expenses will not be much. If, however, the leather bag contains only banknotes amounting to twenty or thirty thousand yen, as in former days, the position of the candidate will be perilous. It will now cost some hundred thousand yen for an election campaign in the old style. It is a wonder that many of the candidates seem unworried about election expenses. One of the reasons may be that war-profiteers "invest" unsparingly in election campaigns, hoping to evade taxes. If so, a candidate can easily collect three to five hundred thousand yen. The resent aggravation of inflation may have been caused by these "investments".

On this account, strict control should be carried out, from the standpoint of democracy, against these leather bag candidates. The control of a corrupt election for the welfare of the people does not fall under the category of interference. It is the same as the duty of the police, and is more important than the latter. Those candidates are intriguing to exploit democracy. Their character in the forthcoming general election cannot be distinguished unless you have an unerring critical insight.

What will the result be if the constituents are tempted by "a day's wage" and vote for such candidates? It may be the result that for such a paltry sum of money maladministration is introduced, making savings accumulated with such toil by the farmers mere pieces of waste paper.

Full Translation:

Let us remember 18 February several years ago when national flags were fluttering at every door here in snow-covered TOKYO. It may be nonsense to say that this was only for the announcement of the fall of HONGKONG, but it did represent spontaneous national feeling. This might have only a morning decoration or a sign that the snow at the door had been swept away.

Two or three days ago, we commemorated the Anniversary of the death of the Emperor TAISHO. Not a single flag was seen hoisted on this national holiday, but many flags were being sold at souvenir shops for the Occupation Troops. The anniversary happened to fall on Christmas Day. We saw a green arch and an electric decoration hung on the Headquarters building of the Occupation Force, near HIBIYA, but only one or two poorly-decorated Christmas trees were seen at street shops still in the primary stages of reconstruction. We may well say that on that day the people did not show any concern either for the national holiday or for Christmas.

Christmas decorations need proper materials as well as pine decorations or a sacred paper rope. Under these circumstances it is almost impossible for us to make such decorations.

However, most people have flags, and displaying them does not necessiate further preparation. In short, they did not raise them, nor did they so much as want to raise them. We remember seeing some flags on the day of the Festival of the Autumnal Equinox, the first national holiday after the end of the War, but on the Harvest Festival day, 17 October, no flags were seen anywhere, and every vestige of festivity disappeared because the previous flag-raisers were too [illegible]ashful to do it again.

- 3 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 180 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

It is, of course, necessary to stop raising a flag on the eight day of every month, but why should we be so reserved as to deny national spirit by not hoisting flags voluntarily on national holidays? No article in the POTSDAM Declaration or in the terms of surrender on the MISSOURI stipulated the liquidation of JAPAN as a state. When there is a state, there are national holidays, and so we need not be afraid of celebrating them in front of the Occupation troops. It might have been deemed to be a demonstration or revolt if it had been held soon after the end of the war. However, the people now seem to lack power to the extent that they have no vigor to assert themselves. They are individually spiritless and do not show any national expression.

The hoisting of a flag is not important. It should neither he forced nor encouraged. However, if people do not hoist a flag simply because they are not nationally conscious, it creates the beginning of a nihilistic state of mind due to individual apathy in a nation at the threshold of rebirth, This is not so simple a phenomenon as to be carelessly overlooked. To our regret, we are very easily moved by orders, The nation is imbued with the principle of non-resistance, cultivated in the feudal days. They move only by guidance. Even the Government, which is so situated as to unify the national spirit and guide the people, is also desirous of being led.

What is the nation's destiny? What can we depend upon? The only foothold is in national unification. We have a tradition which has lasted for 2600 years.

Now, cheer up everyone and renew your spirits! The New Year is very close. If we should show any reservation in celebrating national holidays, why should we fear renewal of our spirits on New Year's day? Let us seize the opportunity for national unification, the resurrection and the rebirth of JAPAN in the color of flags fluttering at every door on New Year's Day.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 4 -