Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0191, 1946-01-02.

Extracts:

With the participation of THE SOVIET UNION, the Tri-power Foreign Ministers have agreed to establish the Far Fastern Commission, which will have its headquarters in WAHINGTON, and the Four-Power Control Council for JAPAN, which will have its headquarters in TOKYO. It was also announced that General MacARTHUR will remain as Supreme Allied Commander.

It remains to be seen what kind of effect will be achieved in the control of JAPAN with participation of the SOVIET UNION in the Big Three Conference. At any rate it illustrates the complete harmony among the Allied Powers. The Japanese, however, need not be much concerned over this subject. The subject which the Japanese must be concerned with is that of its own domestic affairs.

In MOSCOW, Secretary of State BYRN S, Foreign Minister BEVIN, and Foreign Commissar MOLOTOV inspected a documentary film entitled "The War Against JAPAN" after the dinner party given by premier STALIN. This film showed that the SOVIET UNION had planned an extended war against JAPAN, entailing enormous expenses. The SOVIET UNION had, quite a while ago, grasped the military weaknesses of JAPAN.

In those days when JAPAN invaded MANCHURIA, VARUGA* pointed out that there was an indication of collapse in the governing class of JAPAN, and he argued that there was friction between the army and the government, antagonism between the army and the navy, quarrels in financial circles and the capitalists classes about the munitions industry, and opposition of landowners to manufacturers. This was discernible when JAPAN discussed abolition of the gold-standard. As a consequence, it was reasoned, political leaders would be assassinated and the danger of a fascist revolution or abolition of the sham parliamentarianism would be the order of the day.

He stated moreover also that it was because of her economic social and military weakness, that JAPAN undertook aggression as the first step to an imperialistic state. He perceived the real power of JAPAN despite her false show of power and vain pride.

The memoirs of Prince KONOYE disclosed inside information on the upper classes in JAPAN up to the outbreak of war. It is, excluding his self-defense, a complete historical explanation of JAPAN's gross mistake, due to the opposition and class consciousness of the leading classes.

The clan rivalry between the SATSUMA and NAGATO families and the antagonism between the army and the navy were most severe in the [illegible]IJI era. Nevertheless the GENRO (TN The elder statesmen.) whose influence was great, were intensely conscious of their responsibility for construction of a new JAPAN, to which they devoted their efforts, riskin their lives. In emergencies, they settled all important matters.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 191 (Continued)

Full Translation:

I. While reading the reports of regugees from KOREA published in the newspapers, you notice that discrimination towards Koreans still exists as it existed during the time of imperialism, and that Japanese are still being mistreated and assaulted. Such reports will only cause antagonism between the two nations, and relations will never be settled. Why have matters gone so far that the Koreans must assault and abuse Japanese? There is no way to find out but to ask the militarists, plutocrats, and bureaucrats who ruled over KOREA for 36 years, You, the refugees from KOREA are innocent and, therefore, you must demand from these cliques your rights. The old generation has been already replaced by a new one. Therefore, cast aside your consciousness of privilege and we Koreans will throw away our senseless antipathy towards you. Let us break down the barrier and advance along the road of mutual understanding between JAPAN and KOREA. (TEIHAKU).

II.

No Abusive Connotation.

To the Chinese, whoso letter appeared in the 25 December edition: I quite sympathize with your feelings but wish to inform that the word "SHINA" which we Japanese use as the name of your country, does not in the least contain insulting meanings such as "Deuce of East Asia". It is the same as "CHINA" or "Chinese" used in English. Perhaps the words "Yankee" or "Jap" contain an abusive meaning but not the word "SHINA". Just as some European countries call us "JAPAN", "JABON", or "YAPAN", to suit their own tongues, or as you call AMERICA" KEI-KUO" (beautiful country), or ENGLAND "IN-KUO" or JAPAN "[illegible]R-PEN", the Japanese call your country "SHINA". However, if this way of saying CHINA offends you, we will try to avoid it in the future.

(.T.O.)

Full Translation:

A tea-box containing three bags of rice was addressed to the private secretary of the transportation minister. He stated, however, that it did not concern him. Anyhow, it is an undeniable fact that the sender enjoyed himself by using. the name of an official who is high up in the working, of the railway to send rice, which is not to be bartered or transported by mail.

To run for office one must have money and lots of rice and other food-stuffs for canvassers, clerks, and chauffeurs. The difficulty in arranging such things will be the same cither for a secretary or a minister. Even if election day is postponed, it cannot be delayed till the delivery of rice has ended and the prohibition of transporting rice withdrawn.

Several, candidates may have to imitate the tea-box accident or have other people carry the rice after changing the container. Such cases as that of the private secretary have already been revealed several times before.

The fixed amount for election expenses is about 5000 Yen, but current

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 191 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

rumors indicate that in most cases it will roach a total of 100,000 or oven 500,000 Yen. This would not only be contrary to the Election Laws, but transportation of the rice will also violate the Food Control Laws. The result of an investigation would reveal the fact that only a few will be elected without committing any crime, Notwithstanding the candidates enjoy prosperity by saying the longer the election day is postponed the more newcomers - will appear. The question is how all the candidates from the right ring wing Progressive Party to the left wing Communist Party can manage this problem and be victorious.

We do not demand an investigation from the government. We demand rapid political stops in setting the day for the corning election.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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