Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0208, 1946-01-06.

Summary:

The duty of the chiefs of provincial governments is very important during these times, since politics are so transitory at present. The chiefs are in close touch with the lives of the Nation, and accordingly their every action affects the people very much. For example, the results of rice-delivery by the farmers differs very much in each province. The reason for this is reported to be closely related to the quality of personnel in the provincial organizations. Premier SHIDEHARA stated at the prefectural chiefs' meeting on 27 December, "I appreciate your efforts deeply, for all of you are administrating important provincial governments under these extraordinary circumstances."

The duties of the chiefs of prefectural governments, as stated by SHIDEHARA, are very important. They must carry out a "live" administration suited to each province. The chief aim of this prefectural chiefs' meeting was to consult on matters pertaining to the coming general election. However, it seems that they discussed, also, various institutions planned for "constructing a new JAPAN which has a high level of civilization, "as suggested by the Premier, and also mentioned the food problem which is most urgent at present.

How will the chiefs of the prefectures put into practice their unique administrations after returning to their posts? This remains to be seen in the future. At any rate, they must make an extraordinary effort to accomplish everything. The realization of an impartial election is, of course, their most important duty at present. At the same time, measures to be taken to prevent the people from renouncing their right to vote will be the key to the realization of a "live" administration.

Summary:

The current trend of affairs may be said to be paving the way for a peaceful world. The reported success of the conference of the foreign ministers of the three Big Powers and the expected favorable results in the coming negotiations between CHUNGKING and YENAN are eloquent proof of this fact. Affairs

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in CHINA and INDIA have grave bearing on the peace of the East.

The Japanese people, too, are at heart a peace-loving nation, as is seen from numerous incidents in Japanese history. Peace has been the guiding principle of the Japanese people for 2,600 years. Only a small group stood between the Throne and the people, obstructing the way of free expression of peaceful sentiments, thus misleading the Japanese people into the abyss of war. This fact can easily be seen from the Emperor's Rescripts and likewise in the memorandum of late Prince KONOE. In the latter, which describes how devotedly the better statesmen of JAPAN were striving for the restoration of peace in EUROPE for the purpose of maintaining peace in the orient, this was revealed. Nevertheless the actual course of events proved, to our great regret, to be the reverse. A part from calling for the punishment of those responsible for this calamity, we shall only point out the lack of democratic spirit in our state affairs, especially in diplomatic matters which were quite detached from the people at large.

As is easily seen the consequences of the forthcoming general election will bring about a fundamental change in the politics of our Country. In addition JAPAN without armaments will have to make her mission the maintenance of peace in the world. At this point every country of the world, victorious and vanquished alike, as President TRUMAN remarked in his Christmas message, should strive for the cause of maintaining the peace of the world. This new year will be and shall be the year that this ideal is to be realized.

Full Translation:

The epoch-making task which the Japanese people should undertake for the drastic reform of democratizing JAPAN touches every branch and phase of our social life. A directive issued at the end of last year by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces clearly indicated that nearly all the directives necessary for democratizing JAPAN had been issued, and it remains for the Japanese people to construct what they desire.

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor declared in the Imperial Rescript, proclaimed on New Year's Day, that His Majesty was not divine and that he would march along the road towards democracy with the people, and with them would force a way through the mass of difficulties that surround them. The way was thus indicated to the Japanese people, and the point at which a start could be made was also indicated. Since it is the masses who will march along this road, orderly and concise methods will be preferable to disorder and confusion. For the grand march of the Japanese race, perfectly disciplined ranks are required to be ready to ascend steep hills and face stormy weather, the general public must be guided by principles based on rationalism, and intelligence.

As things are in a preparatory stage at present, the ranks are not in perfect order, and the masses are not fully equipped. There is even some indication of chaos. Lack of leadership in

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the ruling class is an established fact. Among other things, the general public requires that speedy measures for the democratization of every organization be put at the head of the list. Above all, in view of the vital importance of the coming general election, a burning question is the establishment of a democratic structure and organization in every political party. The corruption of political parties in the past, especially in the TAISHO period, is a fact well known to the public. This corruption seemed chiefly to be due to the fact that a few leaders had established a semi-feudalistic influence over their parties. This was reinforced by sharing the profits gained by the collusion of military and financial interests.

Scandalous activities were common in these groups. During an election, they were too intent on the question of nominations and on the canvassing of their constituencies, while as Members of the Diet they acted only in line with vested interests, entirely disregarding their obligations to their constituents or the principles that their parties once proclaimed. Even their positions in the Diet were puverted for profit making motives. A great number of Representatives elected by the people were unquestioning followers of the big leaders and had no more principles of their own than robots. Thus the people were not truly represented, and the expression of their will was obstructed. Repetition of this evil must be carefully avoided.

Every party should now begin this task of reform before insisting on the establishment of democracy in JAPAN. The reform of the political parties should be carried out in such a way that the will of the people would be truly reflected in the platform speeches, policies, and moves of the party. Not only the Progressive and Liberal Parties, whose emphemistic names are nothing more than rewritten labels covering a feudalistic contents, but also the Social-Democratic Party, which was created in conformity with the democratic trend of the times by the members of the Diet, cannot avoid being out of touch with the general public if it neglects to make its organization democratic. It would then find that it would be unable to function as a political party. Among the requisites for reform, priority should be given the publication of detailed accounts of the financial state of each party and of the decisions made as to its policies on the basis of national thought and the will of the people. Experience shows that it is natural to clarify of the economics of a party in order to regain its credit. Decisions on policy should be reached by the rational consideration of the will of the public so that a substantial program may be carried out.

In addition to the abolition of party bosses, new, constructive ideas should likewise be considered. It should be borne in mind that, although it is the democratic way to decide by the majority, the opinions of the minority should not be ignored, As is natural in a transitional stage, the political situation at present is marked by the existence of three parties, different in character. One is conservative, one takes the opposite view, that is, communist; the third takes a middle course between the other two, laying its emphasis on social policies. However, all these parties, in order to function efficiently as political groups, need to make their organizations democratic without further delay.

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Full Translation:

Feudalistic thoughts and customs have spread their inveterate influences into every nook and corner of the narrow and small islands of JAPAN. Perhaps it's beyond our realization, that this influence has pervaded, the land, and there may be present many disguised feudalistic influences.

The extreme servility to absolute arrogance, which is the prototype of servile morals, was evident in the Japanese Army. This morality, although there are some differences in degree, is common to all classes of the people. It is evident in the periodity of the masses to the pretty officials or policemen; the subordinate officials to senior officials; the students to teachers; daughters-in-law to mothers-in-law, et cetera.

When we consider the atrocities committed by the Japanese soldiers in NANKING and the PHILIPPINES, we can conclude that it is a self-evident truth that a servile morality, which does not include personal equality, is not accompanied with true respect and affection. The minds of Japanese who have been under the influence of such feudalistic thought would inevitably become closely related with the powerful. This is the reason that so many people are reluctant to change their opinions.

Such servility in spirit by the Japanese has been cultivated by education in loyalty and patriotism; by the education in HAKKO-ICHIU; by education, for the sake of education which is absent of any content.

To make JAPAN'S defeat worthy of positive consideration, the inversion of moral value must be undertaken as the first step in the new direction of education. That is to say, in national education in the future, efforts must be exerted toward a cultivation of the rebellious spirit which despises a sophisticated acceptance of ideas and emphasizes the upbringing of a daring mind. This builds a foundation for action and speech on one's innermost convictions.

However, such a revolution in education cannot be expected to originate from the officials of the department of Education. The Department of Education was a nest of feudalistic thought and was called the Bureau of Education in the War Ministry. The role of the great educator who will really revive Japanese thinking must be expected to rise from the conscience and courage of journalists.

HAYAKAWA, Tatsuo

Many crimes have been recently reported in the papers. I don't think there is anything more absurd than an affair where one Japanese kills or wounds another in order to rob him. If your mind is weak, you are unmerged in vice and despair. Don't you think it is a courageous attitude to work honestly in the bright sun and to live as long as you can?

The Japanese should have a vigorous-enough mind to live righteously, however painful the actuality with which he is confronted. It was a foolish war, but were you not one of the

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Japanese who fought at the risk of his life or acted so bravely as to challenge B-29's with buckets? I hope you pluck up your courage and live cheerfully and vigourously!

(From MURAYAMA, Yasuko)

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