Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0462, 1946-02-19.
Date19 February, 1946
translation numbereditorial-1421
call numberDS801 .S82
Persistent Identifier
EDITORIAL SERIES: 462
ITEM 1 Basis of the unemployment measures - Provincial Newspaper-Kumamoto Nichinichi (KUMAMOTO) - 7 Feb 46. Translator: B. Ishibashi.
Full Translation:
The number of unemployed throughout our country is estimated to be more than 5,000,000
and with each passing day this figure
is becoming larger and larger because of the demobilization of soldiers and repatriation
of our countrymen from abroad. Such a
heavy burden, as the unemployed, which is imposed upon our nation, is a matter of
too serious significance to be overlooked by
us as a mere unavoidable phenomenon resulting from the defeat. Accordingly, the Government
seems to be interested to some
degree in this question as well as that of food shortage and inflation. However, the
real state of things, which shows an
increase, in the number of the unemployed, testifies better than anything to the fact
that the Government lacks the ability to
deal with even this problem.
The unemployment problem can never be solved by Government desk plans. Its solution
must be sought definitely in actual
industrial activities. Though the relief measures for the unemployed, such as reclamation
work and public works, are commonly
put into effect on such occasions, it is very doubtful as to the success of such relief
measures taken up by the Government
neglecting the real state of things when the whole structure of our industry is depressed
and dull. Such being the case, it is
time for the Government to reconsider the fact that the fundamental requisite for
the solution of the unemployment problem is
to have industrial rehabilitation put on the right road.
It is a glaring fact that our industry throughout the country was ruined seriously
by the wax. And it is also true that the
remaining industrial equipment was seized by the Allied Powers as the object of reparations.
In addition, the factors of
production, such as materials and resources are to a great extent restricted. Hence,
it cannot be expected that industrial
rehabilitation will easily be achieved. However, it is already about half a year since
the end of the war. If the Government
had had a sharp and strong political sense, it would not have allowed our industry
to remain indefinitely in a state of utter
inactivity and atrophy.
We are not unwilling to admit the fact that sabotage of the industrial capitalists
and the financial capitalists, who have
close connection with the former, is hampering the rehabilitation in no small measure.
However, when the Government
reconsiders the causes of such sabotage on the part of these capitalists, it may recall
not a few points. Nevertheless, it is
very doubtful if the Government has fully reflected on the situation.
EDITORIAL SERIES: 462 (Continued)
ITEM 1 (Continued)
Our industry cannot be carried on without some connection with political influences,
as during the war. Of course, it is to be
welcomed that the existing control system for the industry and economy has been created
to make them free, but at the present
time when all the productive elements and the industrial instruments are extremely
restricted, their full activity cannot be
expected, unless they are organically interrelated with one another by planning and
control.
In this situation, prices which should be a basic standard for industrial activities
are in disorder and confusion. The
sabotage of the industrial capitalists can be regarded as a natural consequence. In
other words, sabotage in administration on
the part of the Government resulted in that of the capitalists. This will inevitably
develop into a vicious circle by which
the whole of industry in our country will be led to an entirely apathetic state, which
in turn will increase the number of
unemployed. Then, an increase in number of unemployed will result in the further deterioration
of industry. Thus, the vicious
circle will be repeated ad infinitum. When these facts are neglected, however strong
the Government measures for the
unemployment problem may be, they will be met daily with situations in which the unemployed
will increase all the more.
ITEM 2 The Coming General Election and Its Two Characteristic Points - Provincial Newspaper-Shinano Mainichi Shimbun (NAGANO) - 16 Feb 46. Translator: I. Imai.
Summary:
The forthcoming General election is a fine opportunity for JAPAN to manifest her
national power and cultural character to the
world. Accordingly, it is a welcomed phenomenon that the Nation's interest in the
election is gradually increasing. One of the
foremost characteristics of the present election is that 95 per cent of the candidates
are new faces as a result of the
prohibitive order against the candidacy of the old timers in conformity with SCAP'S
purge directive, However, new men are not
always good and we are afraid of inferiority in their qualities.
Another noticeable characteristic is that there are so many independent and non-affiliated
candidates among them (30 per cent
of the total), it is not quite clear yet what causes their appearance. Of course,
we do not say that they are always
undependable. However, we think that democracy is, alter all, parliamentary politics
and parliamentary politics leads to party
politics. Therefore, the formation of ton many minor political parties and the independent
or non-affiliated candidates merely
contribute to the creation of political chaos. To develop and foster truly, ideal
political parties must be the responsibility
of the new politicians.
ITEM 3 I) The Utter Degradation of Morality. II) The Judgments on MRO-BUSHI. - Mainichi Shimbun - 17 Feb 46. Translator: T. Unayama.
(1) The Utter Degradation of Morality.
Prices are soaring; morality is declining. We can especially see the utter degradation
of morality in to inconstancy and lack
of conscience of the opportunists who have suddenly changed their course from militarism
or imperialism to democracy or
pacifism, and are now taking the leadership in the New JAPAN. So far as we allow these
opportunists to prevail without
expelling them, the real reconstruction of JAPAN cannot be expected. I will cite a
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EDITORIAL SERIES: 462 (Continued)
ITEM 3 (Continued)
passage from "The Window on a Winter Day" by NAGAI, Kafu, and I call upon the masses
of the people to read it
meditatively:
"It seems that the present leaders are the same devils who had been tricking us up
to yesterday, for the sake of the victory
which never could be won and who led us into the jaws of death. They have now come
to us having changed their outer garments
only. The voices of those persons who are calling aloud, busily engaging themselves
for the sake of War yesterday and for the
benefit of Peace today, are only voices to call together their associates to monopolize
the gifts of Peace. The sentiment of
those persons who change their arguments and actions day after day, is also part of
the latent sentiment of war time JAPAN."
(From ISHIDA, Takio)
(II) The judgments on MUROBUSHI.
- a.It is a glaring fact that the recent speeches and conduct of Mr. MUROBUSHI, Takanobu are the objects of stern criticism. Against the criticism, he has said much in explanation, but his defense is entirely unconvincing. He has stated that he was threatened fatally or that his writing was banned, as if he were a sufferer but I cannot understand the purport at all. He probably refers emphatically to the comical fact that he was threatened by the men of SUZUKI, Kurazo in the Information Bureau. That crazy Major SUZUKI, bullied even the ultra-Shintoist YASUDA, Yojuro, I hear, therefore, Mr. MUROBUSHI's explanation does not at all declaim that he is an anti-fascist, As it is undeniable that NAKANO, Seigo was a fascist even though he was made to commit suicide by TOJO, Mr. MUROBUSHI's demonstration is a gross error. In his having made such an error, he has betrayed his mistake. In regard to his admiration for the Emperor System in his work "The Lectures on the New System," he said that it was a tactic to prevent the enemy's aggression by malting a reverse use of their weapon. What a piece of impudence! Whether he was a chauvinist or not, will be clarified by examining his writings appearing in the issues of the NIPPON-HYORON (The Japanese Review). After all such a shameless person as he always evades the issue craftily, if we attack him by exposing his words. To conquer this sort of man, there in no means other than to raise the moral understanding of society in general. The most deplorable matter in the revival of New JAPAN is not the reaction that is plain to everybody, but is rather the overflowing of democratic publishers who are lacking in reflection and sincerity. This is not the case of just MUROBUSHI, but of all cultured men. It cannot be said that we never made any mistakes at all in the unprecedentedly anomalous state of things in these days. We must obviate all the mistakes with good grace, and at the same time we should be careful to protect our own firm beliefs. (From SUGIYALA, Keisuke)
- b.Mr. MUROBUSHI called himself a pioneer of the democratic movement in JAPAN, but I think he is a pioneer of the opportunists as well as the turncoats. For example, the contents of his work "A Cream on the pacific Ocean" are mere flattery to the militarists. To this conclusion, what sort of explanation has he? (From KUJIRA)
- c.Mr. MUROBUSHI, you said that you used the enemy's weapon reversely by means of your argument in which you praised the Emperor System. If so, apart from our judgment on the subject, on the anti-Emperor democracy which you are now advocating, too, you will say, if the social condition changes, that it is the enemy's weapon. This can be presupposed logically. Don't make fools of us! (From YAMAMOTO, Kazuo)
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EDITORIAL SERIES: 462 (Continued)
ITEM 4 (a) Special Education for Geniuses (b) Abolish qualifications for Examination (c) Survey of Letters during One Week - Tokyo Shimbun- 18 Feb 46. Translator: I. Hotta.
Full Translation:
I
I advocate that special education for geniuses should also be adopted with the democratization
of' education. Once the
SEIJOGAKU[illegible]N (In Name of a school.) adopted the most liberal educational method.
In fact, it proved that there is no need to change the standard of education according
to ages. In order to get close to the
ideal of education, we must develop our ability to the end of our lives. Learning
is infinite, while life is short. It is
indeed good that the five-year system for high schools and the three-years system
for higher schools will be adopted
again.
However, I wish that some epoch-making educational system would be put into practice.
It is a problem common to all schools,
from an elementary school to a university. Apart from a definite plan, the age requirements
for admission into an elementary
school should be elastic.
Children born before 1 April are admitted to an elementary school at seven years
of age and those who were born after 1 April
are to enter when eight years old. I think, however, there is no need for such a distinction.
A child of my friend was not
allowed to enter school because he was born only one day late. This is a mere example,
but locking upon such a fact, I cannot
help thinking that it is indeed deplorable for our country that educational conditions
are still as tiny were, (Letter from
KOBAYASHI)
II
Abolish the qualifications for entrance examinations of a university, now the day
of the entrance examination of universities
is drawing near. Abolish qualifications for the examination so that all those who
have superior ability may be able to take
the examination. It has been decided that among the 75th - term students of the Naval
Academy, those who entered after they
finished the fourth year of middle schools were not qualified for taking the examination
of universities. Why are they not
qualified? On the other hand, those who entered the academy after graduating from
their middle schools were allowed to take
the examination.
Those who passed the examinations of the Naval Academy after they finished their
fourth year course are the brightest ones.
They also fire those with the highest ability in naval circles. They are the youths
who devoted their superior ability to the
navy wishing to save JAPAN from defeat. Accordingly they are different from professional
editors and sailors. If we can say
that the general public were deceived by the Government, they, too, were deceived.
Why are they not qualified for the
examination though they have the same ability as those who finished the whole course
of a middle school? I wish the new
minister of Education to reflect upon this. (Letter from a lover of learning)
III
The number of letters sent to this column from the 11 February to the 17 February
numbered 102. They were chiefly on daily
life. Five letters opposed the rise of railway fares, while there was one letter which
said that it is natural for the
authorities to raise railway fares and communication expenses to maintain the
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EDITORIAL SERIES: 462 (Continued)
ITEM 4 (Continued)
equilibrium with prices of other commodities. There were 11 letters which dealt with
the housing problem. Four of them
complained of unfair increases of rent. Three letters were written by the owners of
houses and demanded the cancellation of
the rent control law. There were many letters complaining that some schools are obliged
to suspend their class-room work
because of the difficulties of getting lodgings for students and the food shortage.
Nine letters were on the problems of right-soil collection. They censured the metropolitan
authorities for their
irresponsibility since the end of the war. They also prove how the dwellers are troubled
with this problem. We received three
letters, proposing that rice for additional distribution should be included in the
ordinary distribution of rice. These
letters complained that it is not possible to get the fixed quantity of rice because
of some unfair conducts.
It is remarkable that one letter requested the authorities to control the sale of
staple foods at the street market more
strictly. Two complained of the actual conditions of a co-operative society. They
tell us that the prices of commodities sold
at the society are unexpectedly high. Other letters treated the difficulties of taking
a bath, darkness of the streets, demand
for light in the trains and requests from war-sufferers and demobilized people.
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