Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0084, 1945-12-17.

Full Translation:

As a ste towards democratization, the subject of the amendment of the House of Peers Ordinance has been repeatedly taken up in the Upper House, as well as in the Lower, though the Government has not yet seen its way clear to take a definite stand. On 12 December CHARA, Naosbi, of the DOWA KAI stated in The House of Peers that the amendment was indispensable. This elicited a reply from Premier SHIDEHARA. who made public his intention to submit the amendment bill to the next Diet.

The following is Mr. THARA's statement; "The carrying into effect of the amendment of the Election Law necessitates a reform of the House of Peers". The present system needs overhauling with regard to the treatment of the nobility. This concerns the Imperial Nominees for life and the representatives of the bighest taxpayers. Prior to remodelling the set up thoroughly, the Constitution must be [illegible], but a provisinal and speedy change could be brought about by revising the House of Peers Ordinance. I think that the number of seated of the [illegible]bility should be irastically reduced, a term of tenure imposed on Imperial nominees, and the representatives of the highest taxpayers should be selected by the public election as representatives of districts or professional groups. The change of the [illegible]ellation of ''House of Peers" into "Political Council" was under coneideration. Does the Government intend to reform the Upper House set up, and if so, when?"

The Premier replied by [illegible]tating the Government's intention to revise the upper House ordinance. "This change, closely related to election law reform, is regarded by us as very important and should be made as soon as possible. For this reason I think it should be taken up before the question of constitutional reform. However, I cannot say just now whether or not the political situation will force us to tackle the constitution first, proceeding from that to upper house reform. As to details, I cannot say anything now but we will give due consideration to your valuable advice."

Full Translation:

The question has arisen among us as to when the Constitution Revision Bill will be submitted to the Diet. Mr. KATSUMOTO, Minister off state leader of the Government revisers, intended to introduce at the special Deit next February; only the bill amending the

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House of Peers law. After sweeping reforms were made in the peer age, he wanted to introduce the subject of revision of the constitution for discussion. However, as a constitutional revision has become urgent, the Government has decided to submit the revision bill at the beginning of the next session of the Diet.

At the plenary session of the House of Peers on 12 December, Premier SHIMEHARA answered to Mr. OHARA, "Though we intend to present a bill revising the House of Peers at the next Diet, we can not say definitely that it will be settled before the Constitutional revision."

This indicates the Government's desire to submit both bills at the next Diet.

Mr. MATSUMOTO said on the Afternoon of 12 December, "We desire to pass the House of Peers Law Revision Bill at the next special Diet, and the Constitution revision bill at the following session of the extraordinary Diet or at the regular Diet session. However, as circumstances change quickly from day to day it may be submitted at the beginning of the next Diet. I think Prime Minister SHIOEHARA feels the same way about this."

Summary:

On 12 December, after the departure for Manila of Lieutenant General HOMMA and two other Japanese officers who had been detained at SUGAMO Prison on the charge of war crimes, His Highness Prince NASHIMOTO entered the same prison. His Imperial Highness was the first of a large group to enter.

In the morning, at his Palace at AOYAMA, His Imperial Highness got up a little earlier than usual and took a cold bath. After simple breakfast with His Consort, MATSUDAIRA, President of the Bureau of Peerage and Heraldry, and Mr. MAKAMURA, Minister of the Central Liaison Office, called at the Palace. It was 0800 when His Imerial Highness and Mr. MAKAMURA, who accompanied him to his destination, left for SUGAMO by motor car.

Prince Nashimoto has spent quiet, calm days since he was ordered arrbeted by Allied. Supreme Headquarters. His attitude about his incarceration has been expressed as follows:

"The man who receives orders for imprisonment as suspected war criminals should obey those orders. Any action contrary to the order will be misunderstood by the public. Therefore, I will go as ordered, no matter where."

Soon after the arrival of His Imperial Highness at 'the Prison, Baron KIKUCHI, who is known as an opponent of the theory that the Emperor is an organ of the state, arrived there by motor car. After his arrival, Admiral TOYODA, former Chief of the Naval General Staff and Mr. TSUDA, former President of the KANEPO Company, arrived, followed by Marshal HATA: EURUNO, Inosuke, former director of DOMEI News Agency; KAWABE, Syofo, former Commander of the Japanese Forces in BURMA; [illegible], Kiyoshi, former Director of the MITSUBISHI Heavy Industry Company; and others. The Prison was so

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crowded by spectators and newsmen that the imprisonment locked more like a send-off for a Measure trip. In this manner, most of the suspect d war criminals who were named on 28 November by Allied Supreme Headquarters, entered prison on the morning of the appointed day.

Summary:

Following are the names of persons who have entered SUGAMO Prison up to 12 December, and also those whose enterance has been postponed because of illness or because of absence from JAPAN

(1) Barsons who entered on 10 December:

Mr. OKA[illegible], Nagashige

Mr. ISHIHARA, Koichiro

(2) Persons who entered on 11 December: Mr. OKURA, Kunikike Mr. SASAKAWA, Riyoichi Mr. A[illegible]Do, Kisaburo Mr. SHINTO, Kazuma Mr. IKEZAKI, Tadataka (3) Persons who entered on 12 December: Mr. FURUNO, Inosuke Mr. GOKO, Kiyoshi Mr. GOTO, Fumio Mr. [illegible], Shundoku Mr. HOSHINO, Naoki Mr. IDA, Pannan Mr. KAWARE, Shozu Mr. KOBAYASHI, Junichiro Mr. KOBAYASHI, Seizo Mr. OKAWA, Shumer Mr. AMO, Eiji Mr. ASKI, Kazuo Mr. OTA, Masatuka Mr. KATSUZAKA, Hiromasa Mr. OTA, Kozo Mr. MUDAGUCHI, Renya Mr. SHIOTEN, Nobutaka Mr. TOYODA, Soimu Mr. TSUDA, Shingo Prince NASHIMOTC Mr. ARIMA Rainei Mr. NISHIO, Joshizu Mr. KIKUCHI, Jakeo Mr. KINOSHITA, Arichi MR. NAGAKOTO, Tsuguo Mr. ISHIDA, Otogore Mr. ONC, Koichi Mr. SHOPIKI, Matsutarc Mr. TAKAHASHI, Sankichi

(4). Persons who are requesting postponement because of illness: Mr. FUJI ARA, Ginjiro Mr HIROTA, Koki Mr. HIRANUMA, Kiichiro

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Mr. HONDA, Kumataro Mr. AYUICAWA, Gisuke Mr. KODAMA, Fujio Mr. MIZUNO, Rentaro Mr. TADA, Shun MR. SHIOHO, Suihiko Mr. SAKURAI, Hyogoro Mr. TOKUTOMI, Soho Mr. NAKAJIMA, Chikuhei Mr. SHIMOMURA, Hiroshi Mr. IKADA, Seihin Mr. YOKOYAMA., Yiei

(5) Persons who will be delayed in entering the prison because they are abroad: Mr. NAICAMURA, Akito Mr. SHIN, Hikosaburo Mr. KAMISUNA, Masashichi Mr. NOMI, Toshiro Mr. SATO, Kenryo Mr. TAKACHI, Shigeto Mr. TANI, Masayaki Mr. ATOMIYA, Jun

Extracts:

Minister-Without-Portfolio MATSUMOTO made the following recommendation to the succeeding cabinet: "My private opinion is that the recommendation of the next Premier to the Throne should be made by the retiring Premier, since the latter is, from the legal point of view, responsible for giving advice to the Emperor until, the actual formation of the succeeding cabinet. Through the cabinet formed by the loader of the opposing party, the objective of the popular will is achieved. But, in the case of the formation of a coalition cabinet, the matter becomes a little more complicated. It is not always necessary that the constitution contain a stipulation by which the nomination of the succeeding premier is carried out. I do not expect that the no[illegible]defunct system of the Lord Keeper of Privy Seal will reappear.

"It has happened in the past that the privy council, which is responsible solely to the Emperor, acquired so much power in governmental affairs that it could help overthrow the Cabinet. In the future, the authority of the Council should be strictly limited that of an advisory organ in order to check the recurrence of a similar situation.

"According to the stipulation of the Constitution, a Diet session lasts for three months, which is elearly too short. The present sti[illegible]ullation should be revised to lengthen the term. If necessary, the creation of a continuous session is not too objectionable. Incidentally, I think it undesirable that such matters the nomination of committees and the payment of reserve funds be decided by the Government, as is done now.

"Some reduction in the power of the House of Peers is desirable. At present, the House of Representatives holds the right to prior consideration of the budget, while the House of Peers enjoys the

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authority to amend the bill which the former passes. This privilege on the part of the latter should be abolished. In addition the present system of Imperial nomination should be abolished, giving place to some suitable organ of nomination."

Full Translation:

At the Labor Union Law committee meeting in the House of Representatives on 12 December, MASAKI [illegible], Social Democrat made the following interpellations: 1. What are the actual contents of the regulation which the government will specifically make in order to provide for union activities by government officials 2. Can members of unions use funds in disputes or political affairs originally set aside for union members mutual aid and welfare? 3. What is the definition of law and order as written in the bill?

TAKAHASHI, chief of the Labor and Politics Bureau of the Welfare Ministry, replied to these questions as follows: 1. "The government is making preparations to issue special orders to provide for disputes among government officials, and the main points of which are as follows: (a) Disputes of government officials will be submitted to mediation, (b) The government can issue orders stopping disputes. Thus, under the proposed regulations, disputes may not become political wrongles. 2. "The Union can decide to appropriate the above-mentioned special funds for polities and desputes. 3. Law and order means public security and the preservation of economic, social and national life. Such words or actions as tend to create confusion are against law and order. Whether or not disputes in question are rightful is not dedided on by the government arbitrarily, but by a labor committee".

Revision of Mediation Law Planned: At the Labor Union Law Committee, mesting in the House of Representatives on 12 December, Welfare Minister ASHIDA, in reply to the interpellation by MASAKI, Kiyoshi, Communist, made it clear that the government is making preparations for the revision of the Labor Disputes Mediation Law. Answer is as follows:

1. "As to public enterprises, actual mediations shall be written into law. 2. "Mediation will be expanded and increased. 3. "Measures should be taken to prohibit or stop disputes."

MASAKI then interpellated the government on the reactionary tendency shown by capitalists who, after forming f union patronized by the government such as the former Industrial Batriohe Association proceed to make labor agreements with this union. To this the Welfare Minister replied that the government cannot handle such matters using force, but that this type situation will not be completely disregarded.

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