Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0287, 1946-01-23.

Full Translation:

We learn that all the prefectural governors and the leading figures in the Home Ministry are likely to retire, following the purge of those prefectural governors who held presidential posts of the local office of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association. Of course, some prefectural governors may not come under the purge directive. But, strictly speaking, out of 28 prefectural governors who were appointed to their present post after the war, that is, after the dissolution of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, 19 newly appointed governors did not hold any additional post as local head of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association. Except for four who had not been officials until appointment, all the rest were leaders as councillors of the office of the Prefectural Governor- General or Vice Prefectural Governor-General. Accordingly, they are the same as Local Presidents of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association in that they directly led and drove the people into war, even if they do not, too defenitely, come under the purge directive. It is because of their own recognition of this fact that governors are going to volunteer to retire in succession, before the new Home Minister, MITSUCHI,-makes a purge of the prefectural governors. This may be a happy trend for reborn JAPAN.

As we often emphasized in this column, the first step from a defeated JAPAN to a democratized JAPAN must be taken with a thorough investigation of war responsibility, annihilation of jingoism, and with a change of the people's attitude through new leaders. We should change the leaders by expelling those guilty of jingoism, deception, and warmongering, and appoint those who practice frankness, justice and peace. Supposing that the democratization of JAPAN Terminates only in an outward disguise for the deception of the Allied Nations. A democratic JAPAN would never be realized, and it is most likely that as soon as the Occupation Troops withdrew, militarism, and an obstinate, god-ridden JAPAN would be revived.

Almost all the people are learning by bitter experience what a great sacrifice the mistake, committed by militarism, has forced upon them. Hence, the fatherland is determined never to taste the bitter cup of fate again, and to achieve the state of peace, morality, and wisdom that the people are now thirsting for. They will never allow those responsible for the war to assume leadership again. In this regard, it is an excellent thing, for the reconstruction of JAPAN, that all the prefectural governors are tending to resign voluntarily.

SCAP has ordered the dissolution of the military clique and is checking up on war guilt, as the fundamental measure against jingoism. Next, SCAP has pounced upon the bosses, both of the financial clique and the bureaucrats. They are directing the dissolution of the ZAIBATSU, which sought private profits and plotted together with the military clique. But some of the people are convinced that the purge of war criminals has been

EDITORIAL SERIES: 287 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

finished. Also, some people think that a democratic JAPAN will never he achieved merely by this purge. Also necessary is the rapid retirement of those leaders and supervisors who spurred the people on and were at the heck and call of the war criminals.

Now they are gradually being ordered to withdraw from public positions, and this tendency is even spreading as far as to include non - official leaders of the people. Co-operation to carry out the war was obsolute, for the people, before the Imperial Rescript of the declaration of the war. But the responsibility of driving the people into the war, by deceiving and blindfolding tham, do not, perhaps, enter the Emperor's mind, nor can it be omitted from a judgment of the people's will. In this regard, the resignation of prefectural governors, and leading figures in the Home Ministry, has an important significance as a mile-stone in the construction of a democratic JAPAN.

Even if the retirement of all the prefectural governors is postponed for some time, the appointment of governors, by the public election system, will be inevitably realized. Home Minister MITSUCHI is said to be considering the appointment of non - official persons, the shifting of leading officers of every ministry to local posts, and the promotion of the deputy-governors of prefectures, et cetera, as emergency measures. But, all of them will be forced to resign, sooner or later, by the current trend of democracy, which grows on its own strength. One thing we must understand is, that, even if all the bureaucrats in the Home Ministry are faced with a crisis of annihilation, it is a phenomenon as trifling as a bubble when compared with the great task of constructing a democratic JAPAN. Let those retire who should.

Full Translation:

To stave off the food crisis, the control of staple foods in the hands of the people is being advocated. It not only has been advocated but has already been carried into practice in some districts, and the trend is rapidly spreading. The people must adopt this measure in order to support themselves, whether or not the joint popular front is organized between the Social-Democratic Party and the Communist Party in TOKYO. The control of staple foods by autonomous groups results in distrust of the Government by the people. If this trend were to spread all over the country, Government officials would be unable to remain in office. They, therefore, had to devise a measure against this. Hence, the plan of compulsory purchase of staple foods was mapped out. It is also reported that the authorities are now considering the thorough control of false census, the revision of irrational rationing by the abolition of additional distribution to students, and the punishment of illegal transport of foods. However, these are matters of course and are not worthy of discussion. The urgent problem is, after all, the compulsory purchase of staple foods. If the Government carries out this measure, the system of rice delivery must be rational, and every farmer's quota must be just and impartial.

If the quota is unjust, and strict punishment is meted out to the farmer who cannot fulfill his quota or obey the compulsory purchase order, it will indicate a tyrannical Government. Furthermore, as long as stern responsibility and strict punishment are not provided for officials who neglect distribution, to the farmers, of commodities necessary for the delivery of rice, it is a one-sided policy. As for production, no one yields to promises regarding the possible exertion of efforts. Therefore, a compulsory measure is unavoidable, but it must be impartial to all persons concerned.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 287 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

It is rather doubtful whether the present officials, who have already lost authority and confidence, can accomplish the purpose. Their idea of making up for their lack of ability by originating strict measures is extremely anachronistic.

Full Translation;

Although the refund of special savings was granted after a month of indecision to the Bank of JAPAN in December, I was told that the refund is still prohibited by SCAP. According to a recent issue of a newspaper a refund up to 8,000 yen was permitted. However, when I went to the bank, I was refused twice, on the grounds that the instructions had not yet been received from the Government. When will it be permitted? I cannot help resenting the half measures of the authorities concerned.

Reply by the Ministry of finance - In the following cases, refunds are permitted to meet costs of living by a bachelor or a person with one dependent, up to 300 yen; to those who have more than two persons to support, up to 500 yen: for buying vital commodities, clothing, and furniture, up to 1,000 yen; for building, repairs, or the purchase of a, house, up to 5,000 yen; for taxes, only on the condition that the term of payment is mature, and that the person can produce a tax collection notice as proof; for paying a debt, only when evidence that the depositor lacks the sum to pay, and then the sum will be delivered to the creditor.

Concerning the funds of the manufacturing industries for civil consumption, definite decisions were not yet made whether or not to accept applications. As the bank authorities wee preparing written oaths concerning lack of funds, together with written applications for permission to withdraw money, many bank employees did not know what to do. However, as they are now accepting applications, please go to your bank and inform them of your circumstances. Special savings include funds for adjusting business, funds for compulsory evacuation, war-sufferers' insurance money, etc. (Original Savings Section in Savings Bureau)

Can we not receive the distribution of tobacco, not by thirties or forties, but by the gross in a monthly distribution? As they distribute it at several different times, we cannot guess how much is the fixed quantity per month, and we are likely to feel ourselves deceived. Moveover, the quantity of MINORI, cut tobacco distributed very often recently, varies considerably. In addition, the price is not printed on the paper. We wish to know the right quantity of it.

Reply by the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau - Although we are trying our best to supply tobacco in lump sums to the consumers, in some parts the quantity is not enough to allow us to put this into practice. Nevertheless, the date of distribution must be decided fairly. For want of wrapping paper, cut tobacco is distributed in ordinary paper, yet the name ought to be stamped on the paper. The quantity is fixed at 30 grams: eight momme. A change in quantity never occurs.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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