Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0261, 1946-01-17.

Full Translation:

Mr. HANI accused me of being a war supporter in his talk which was printed in YOMIURI-HOCHI on 7 January. In my reply to you I want to make clear my stand.

From the year 1921 to the out break of the CHINA incident I endeavoured to develop Japanese history with a possible scientific basis, and owing to this I found myself in difficulty for a long time. The general public has recognized this fact, I think. After the outbreak of the CHINA incident, I was mainly engaged in the editing of material for Japanese history, and with this data as the basis of my argument, I warned that the incident should be solved as soon as possible. Due to this warning, however, I was strongly attacked by the right wing elements.

Ths following is a section from the introduction to my work, "The Leaders in Japanese Capitalistic History", which was published in October, 1939 by the IWANAMI bookshop.

"If the pressure of military affairs and politics causes our economy to drop beyond safe limitations, the function of the military and politicians will also fall into a dilemma before long. I earnestly desire the present leaders land the people to consider accurately and wisely this limit so that they do not let our national power evaporate".

Anticipating the danger of the nation's ruin in the near future, I again advised, under a camouflage in this introduction, that the war be ended without delay. I commented much with the same purpose of warning in various guises. My collection of these comments is included the book, "The Historical Review of the Establishment of Japanese National Defence", which was published in January 1942 and which you cited. Although there is some disguise, this book was also written scientifically in substance. When the war against AMERICA and ENGLAND broke out, I though that JAPAN would be ruined before long and that the war should be ended as soon as possible. I always talked to my intimate friends on this problem. My scientific background forced me to forcast the miserable defeat of JAPAN.

However, under the abnormal circumstances of that time, I had no courage and no way to openly declare that we must stop the war. Therefore, I often explained my opinions to certain high officials who agreed with me. Moreover, taking into consideration the extent of the divine war view, in my effort to contribute & little to a self-examination of the military and the people in a scientific war discussion, I wrote "Discussions on the Total National War" in August 1942. Due to the circumstances at that time, I had to be even more devious in this work, but again the scientific consideration became the key note of my writing. The right wing, however, saw through my intentions in spite of the camouflage, and consequently, I was compelled to retire from the university in August 1944 under pressure of the educational authorities

EDITORIAL SERIES: 261 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

and the right wing elements.

To conclude, you are free to impeach me, but your method is [illegible]absurd, as if it were a medieval inquisition. This is natural [illegible]you have been in prison for a long time, I think. However, a demo trial, is one that is impartial, kind, careful, calm, and bright, li[illegible]General YAMASHITA's trial by the Allied Nations. I beg of you to us [illegible]this manner from new on. (TSUCHIYA, Takao)

Full Translation:

The mission of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet as an intermediate Cabinet and how that Cabinet exhibits its characteristics has been made clear in speech of Chief Secretary of the Cabinet NARAFASHI. There must alway be a cabinet in existence. However incompetent a cabinet may be, it better than none at all. However, the question is whether we ought or recognize the reason for the existence of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet or no [illegible]. To tell the truth, it is a question of whether a better cabinet than this can be formed or not. It is unfair to speak of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet as the worst intermediate cabinet we have ever had, but were [illegible]gret that we must give a negative answer to the question of whether the Cabinet will justify the people's trust in them as an aid to the establishment of a new JAPAN.

Then, you may ask what is wrong with the Cabinet? Considering that t[illegible]new state ministers are respectable men, people may have, some doubts about this question. Indeed, it is natural. It is inevitable for th[illegible]intermediate Cabinet that the choice of its ministers is confined to narrow limits, because very few are beyond suspicion of war-guilt. We are disappointed in the personnel of the new Ministers. Needless to say, it is impossible to tell how difficult the selection of personnel for an intermediate cabinet is. However, we think that the Prime Minister himself realizes the random selection which has been made. An old man forgotten by the world and now, as it were, a human fossil, has received a portfolio, and an ex-bureaucrat has entered th[illegible]Cabinet. Accordingly the choice of popular persons merely makes peop[illegible]feel the irreponsibility of Prime Minister SHIDEHARA in personnel administration.

Apart from the new ministers' fitness for their positions, the Cabine[illegible]is lacking in any fixed principle. That is characteristic of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet of which the worst fault is the lack of consciouene[illegible]of its temporary existence, for the Prime Minister insists that the existence of his Cabinet is not temporary. So far, it is all the SHIDEHARA Cabinet can do to reorganize itself. The Cabinet could hav[illegible]carried the selection of Ministers to the people, however. That is the true mission of the Cabinet, which makes for a democratic Government.

When the OKUMA and ITAGAKI Cabinet, the first party Cabinet in JAPAN'[illegible]history, was organized, Baron SONODA, Yasukat, Chief of the Metropoli[illegible]Police Board, stated in his farewell address that all the ministers t[illegible]active parts in the political affairs of the country, but were men of[illegible]loose morals in private life; and that among them were some who obtain[illegible]money by false pretenses or did not pay rent. Mr. OSAKI, Yukio was [illegible]of these ministers. It may well be said that the SHIDEHARA Cabinet,[illegible]wedded to the "minister class," cannot do anything either.

Full Translation:

Mr. NOZAKA said at his welcome meeting sponsored by the Communist Party. "To my surprise, Communists today are quite different from t[illegible]

- 2 -

EDITORIAL SERIES: 261 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

but now there are elderly people, young men, and women."

His speech should not be mistaken as a mere first impression. The [illegible]existence of elderly people means that the Party itself, having surv[illegible]many bitter experiences in the past 20 years, has grown up. This is clear in the policy of the Party announced after the defeat.

It is especially worthy of notice that Mr. NOZAKA has become a great elderly leader during 16 years of bitter experiences. This is evident in his advising the Party to create such an impression that the people, rather than fleeing upon hearing the name "Communist", will learn to love and respect them. The Party is neither a propaganda association nor an illegal entity, but a party capable of taking the helm in State affairs.

He says, "The Communist Party should always be with the masses. The Party should neither force its policies on the masses, nor be regarded as dangerous by them."

This is a remark worthy of deep consideration. In a public statement, the Party separated the Emperor System from the Imperial family. This may be regarded as a materialization of NOZAKA's stand for the liquidation of formalism.

How much hesitation is there after the publication of the party statement for participating with the Communists? People entertaining doubts must have got rid of them, and the anticipated popular front will surely be established. A united front is very much like a love affair since it is achieved through mutual trust and love. To realize unity we should not speak ill of others, but should forget the past.

Mr. NOZAKA said modestly, "We Communists recognize the ability of our party, but it is difficult to surmount national crises by our efforts alone."

As long as he maintains such a modest attitude, we firmly believe that a democratic front will surely be realized. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we must achieve it with sincerity.

Full Translation:

Recently, I asked an American soldier, "What are your plans after returning home?" He replied, "Besides enjoying my married life, I want to study hard for about a year in the university from which I graduated. I've forgotten everything during my military career. Discharged veterans in AMERICA receive Government assistance of $90 a month toward school expenses."

In JAPAN, the universities are rehiring banished professors. Democracy in universities should not be limited to this act; the university system should be made available to the public. Universities should give an opportunity to those who went to continued studying for a year after graduation, even though many years have passed since graduation.

This is a problem concerning not only the universities but the whole educational system. We urge Mr. ABE, the new Minister of Education, to exert himself toward fundamental reforms in the education system. He should encourage the publication of cultural material, even though the Home Ministry and the Commerce and Industry Ministry interfere by restricting management and materials.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 3 -