Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0164, 1946-01-09.

Full Translation:

With leftist elements in the Social-Democrat Party drawing attention due to criticism voiced against the despotic and rightist inclinations of party leaders, the Communist Party published a call on 7 December for a united front with the Social-Democrat, Mr. TOKUDA, Chief of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, made the following remarks regarding political conditions:

"If the widely discussed coalition Cabinet of the Social-Democrat and Liberal Parties is realized, it means an exposure before the Nation of the real nature of the Social-Democrat headers who co-operate with the Liberals, spokesman of monopoly capital. The motive of their union is to direct the pending election to enhance their political power. It is evident they will resort to underhanded methods against opposition parties. With the nation facing a crisis they care for nothing but acquiring political power. If such a Cabinet comes into being it will be a great disastor for the Nation.

"In EUROPE, with the overthrow of Nazism and Fascism, popular front governments and unions of various parties, are being formed. In JAPAN the system, centering round the militaristic Emperor, corresponds to Nazism to such an extent that a real popular front can only be formed with the overthrow of that system as its objective. As a practical method for the popular front movement we are endeavoring to create a people's council from the bottom, by which all the institutions under the Emperor System must be destroyed to give way to entirely new ones; only then can a foundation for a popular front government be constructed. At the present stage only a government which has the capacity to open a way for the establishment of the People's Council can be called a people's government. If a popular front government can be established which opposes all the old influences under the Emperor System and works out the stabilization and advancement of living conditions, it can be tolerated for the time being even under the Emperor System. In such a case an inauguration ceremony will hardly be necessary. It will suffice for the Emperor to be notified of the names of the Cabinet members.

"The leaders of the Social-Democrat Party ignored repeated proposals for a common front. Recently they flatly refused to participate in united efforts to combat current problems, such as the food shortage. Their policy is plainly petit bourgeoistic and integrally related to their leaders being fascist militarists, who directly participated in the execution of the war. Actually, the rank and file of the Party, being highly dissatisfied with the bureaucratic and antidemocratic attitude of the present leaders who arbitrarily decided, without resorting to plebiscite, on the reactionary policy of retaining the Emperor System, refused a popular front with the Communist Party.

POLITICAL SERIES: 164 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

"In spite of the obvious fact that a merger of all democratic influences is urgently necessary for the emancipation of the masses, the leaders of the social-Democrat Party not only refuse to participate in a united front of democratic parties, but also seek to prolong the Emperor System which is reactionary and as such the enemy of democracy. This fact plainly demonstrates that the present guiding policy of the Social-Democrat Party is reactionary. Therefore, the rank and file of the Social-Democrat Party, if they really mean to devote themselves to the cause of democracy, should oppose the reactionary policy of their leaders and strengthen the nation-wide combination of progressive elements, fighting for the overthrow of the Emperor system, establishment of a people's republican government, common front with the Communist Party, and formation of industrial labor unions throughout the Country. It is the duty of those who aim at the emancipation of the Japanese people to go ahead courageously for the establishment of a people's republican government by assembling all democratic influences in JAPAN and forming a united front."

Full Translation:

The JAPAN Co-operative Party, upon learning of the whirlwind-like directives from General Headquarters, issued a statement on 7 December as follows: "There is no way for JAPAN except 'to regain within ourselves what we lost outside.' (This was a motto of once defeated DENMARK.) We should first manage domestic affairs such as the food problem and inflation rather than to fret about diplomacy. It should pave the way for peaceful reconstruction by upholding morality. Being a Very difficult task, it is expected to be fulfilled only by fresh political power based on realism and not by traditional forms of policy and economy. At this opportune moment, we hope to stand up courageously and establish political democracy as well as economic democracy. Hence, we take part in the work of reconstruction enthusiastically."

Summary:

In a gathering of women, with Mrs. MIYAMOTO and Mrs. HANI as leaders, the formation of a Democratic women's League ([illegible] [illegible]HU) was planned. The underlying ideas: JAPAN must, advance on the path of a world-wide, human morality. After the shackles of the gloomy past have been destroyed, JAPAN's women must learn to use their newly acquired rights. They must co-operate with the intention of helping build JAPAN by using their womanly skill and intelligence. For this purpose, women must mobilize their own strength and bring about a truly democratic women's league.

The immediate task is to edit a general women's magazine and to establish a scientific center for the promotion of culture among women. The League will, not have any political leanings. Members and leaders can belong to any party.

Full Translation:

As shown in another report, the President of the Liberal Party, Mr. HATOYAMA, clarified the fact that the coaliton between his part and the rightist- wing of the Social Democratic Party has been secretly undertaken. There is another circle in the Social democratic Party,

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POLITICAL SERIES: 164 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

however, which, being leftist, is eagerly discussing a popular front and the Emperor System; and naturally it will absolutely refuse to join hands with the Liberals. Even neutrals feel very cool about this problem of coalition, and many mysterious activities are supposed to be talking place in every element within the Social Democratic Party. Therefore, we can easily say that our future political circles will be dominated by two big fronts: one, under the Liberal and Social Democratic rightist wing, and the other, under a popular front of the Communist Party and the Social Democratic leftist wing.

Full Translation:

Former Chief of the OMUTA Internment Camp, Lieutenant YURI, Kei, who had been on trial at the YOKOHAMA War Crimes' Court since 27 December, was sentenced to death by hanging on 7 January. Regarding the execution, the date and time is to be determined by Deputy Commander of the 8th Army, Lieutenant General HALL, subject to approval by SCAP.

The court sat at 0900 on 7 January, the 8th day of the public trial. Judges stated that they would resume the trial without testimony because of the absence of witnesses, Captain TOKASHIKI and the manager of the MITSUI Coal Mine, Mr. HAY[illegible]SHI, whoso summons had been previously arranged. Prosecutors Major DAVIDO[illegible]and Captain KAUFMANN argued on the poor accomadations and ill treatment at the [illegible]TA Internment Camp, and argued keenly that Chief YURI's responsibility was worthy of death. In reply to the claim of the advocates' group that JAPAN had not ratified the GENEVA Convention, they maintained that Foreign Minister YOSHIDA had lately reported the fact through the Central Liason Office that JAPAN admitted the same treaty. Then the advocate, Major [illegible]ONS, pleaded for him, saying, "Please make allowances in view of the fact that the accused confessed his treatment in the death of war prisoner HARD," but [illegible]jor DAVIDOW firmly demanded the death penalty on the ground that such illegal acts must be punished without mercy.

The court then went into recess at noon and discussed behind closed doors the final decision regarding YUTI. At 1520 the court was reopened and Chief Judge TREACHER delivered judgment. The Martial Law Committee, decided that for the crime, Item 1 (for having bayoneted HARD to death), he was guilty; Item 2 (for having neglected the sanitary and medical equipment of the Internment Camp), guilty; Item 3, A (for having mistreated PAVLOKOS, causing his death), guilty; and Item 3, B (for having mistreated ROMELO), not guilty. By the votes of two-thirds of the present committeemen, YURI was sentenced to death by hanging. With head hung down and an abstracted expression on his face, YURI was handcuffed by the Military Police and bowed himself low out of the court.

The next public trial is to be held after the end of that of FURUSHIMA by the first committee.

Extracts:

The Government still remains in a state of apathy, with the passing of four days since thy issuance of the Allied directive ordering the exile of the leaders of aggressive policy from public service and the dissolution of 27 reactionary organizations. The Premier is reportedly going to stick to the post, while studying measures to be taken to comply with the directive. The Government, on the other hand, is

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POLITICAL SERIES: 164 (Continued)

ITEM 6 (Continued)

going to make a decision on the extent or persons to be removed, which will require a period of two to three months, it is estimated.

Meanwhile, there is a remour regarding the existence of a split of opinion among the Cabinet members toward the attitude to be taken. One section of opinion, headed by TSUGITA, Chief Secretary of the Cabinet, is reportedly of the opinion that, with the Diet being dissolved and the delicate problem of food requisition at hand, political change should be avoided as far as possible, while the others, represented by NARAHASHI, Chief of the Legislation Bureau, insist on the resignation en masse of the Cabinet, claiming the raison d'etre of the present Government is lost.

TSUGITA, spokesman of the Government, made an announcement yesterday, expressing the governmental intention to wait a few days more to see what happens. This attitude will undoubtedly be received with bitter criticism, placing the Government in a complete dilemma.

Anyway, the execution of concrete measures is not to be expected until the visit of Foreign Minister YOSHIDA to SCAP for interpretation of the directives. The illness of the Premier on the other hand, is expected to be cured by the 10th of the month, and till then everything calling for his decision has been put aside. The realization of the cabinet re construction, however, is deemed to be very difficult owing to the aggravation of the political situation.

Full Translation:

The public trial of war criminal FURUSHISA was resumed at 0900 on 7 January, the eighth day of the trial. Lieutenant Colonel OTAKE, Michiji, former chief of the NAGOYA Internment Camp, testified that he strictly confined FURUSHIKA to his house on the grounds that noncommissioned officers of both the FUNATSU and KAKIOKA Internment Camps took private action against the war prisoners. Next, Mr. TASHIRO, Hisao, Chief of the MITSUI Mine, made a statement about the conditions at the time of his inspection of the KAMIOKA Internment Camp, and, as an intimate friend of, 25 years' standing, said, "All the citizens of FUNATSU and, I, myself, recognize his sense of responsibility, fairness, and kindness. I am sure that he is an excellent gentleman who deserves to be elected as the head of FUNATSU." Meanwhile, FURUHIMA was wiping away his tears with his handkerchief.

The court adjourned at noon and was reopened at 1300. According to the advocate's request, the hearing of witnesses was resumed, and KOBAYASHI, Masatoshi, KOBAYASHI, Tokushiro, KANEKO, Masao, SHIHO, Zenzo, TOKUNAGA, Sanzo, and those who belonged to the KAMIOKA Mine, testified chiefly to the fact that this Internment Camp asked for assistance from the Nine in the form of medicines, food and clothing. The court was closes at 1600.

Extracts:

It is reported that the Premier intends to remain in office until the forthcoming election, even at the cost of the partial reconstruction of his Cabinet. It has become customary, since the formation of the present Cabinet, that the president of the Privy Council and chairmen of both Houses be responsible for the recommendation of the succeeding premier. At present, SUZUKI, president of the Privy Council is disqualified, being included among the objectionable persons stipulated

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POLITICAL SERIES: 164 (Continued)

ITEM 8 (Continued)

in the last Allied directive, while the chairman of the House of Representatives is non-existent, owing to its dissolution. Thus, there remains only TOKUGAWA, who is considered quite a stranger to the political situation of the country.

The responsibility of the Premier, therefore, in recommending his successor to the Throne has been greatly heightened, while the fact is that, with the coming election close at hand, the selection of a person of suitable qualification for the premiership at present is deemed very difficult. The Government, therefore, has decided to remain in power, if speical exemption is granted for the Cabinet members held objectionable by the Allied Powers, or, in case the exemption is refused, to reorganize the Cabinet, asking for the retirement of the unsatisfactory members. Another course of action may be to tender resignations to the Emperor, if both the above-mentioned steps fail.

With the situation going from bad to worse, however, it is expected that the Government will have to make its final decision at the earliest possible time, after consultation with General Headquarters of the Allied Powers.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

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