Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0182, 1946-01-14.

Full Translation:

The general trend of recent Diet discussions in relation to the Emperor System can be said to be completely reactionary.

Stateman HATAYAMA, Ichiro, who has driven the liberal professors out of universities, thereby corrupting their self-government, is minister of education concerned with the affairs of TOKYO University. Both KITA, Reikichi, and Count FUTARA are reactionaries supporting feudalistic absolutism in the name of the Emperor System and the national state. These Diet members all supporting the aggressive, anti-democratic war, and exhibit the same traits as those already arrested by SCAP as war criminals

Their motive in sanctioning the Emperor System and denouncing Communism is to maintain their present semi-feudalistic control. We must recognize the fact that the maintenance of the Emperor System and the national structure means the maintenance of a semi-feudalistic national system.

Minister of Justice IWATA, who previously insisted that constitutional reform was unnecessary, and also declared that the release of political criminals (anti-military and democratic supporters who had been arrested) was out of the question, has permitted the passage of the feudalistic Lese Majesty Law (an offense to a member of the Imperial family) which is a great obstacle to freedom of speech. Was he not the legal adviser of the MITSUI JAIBATSU? He shows no democratic tendencies at all and instead of executing the POTSDAM Declaration he strives to sabotage it. He must be driven out of the political scene.

Previous judicial decisions tell of the cruel punishment imposed for trifling violations of the Lese Majesty Law. For example, mere fragmentary statements against the Emperor System found in diaries were causes for punishment. Such evil laws, which prevent free discussion about the Emperor System, should be abolished inmediately.

The Emperor System, through various measure of educational propaganda, has been forced upon the people. It is the System whereby the greatness and glory of the Emperor have been constantly emphasized. It is only logical that the people accepted the Emperor System, thinking it the most gratifying. However, this does not mean that Japanese public opinion and racial characteristics should support the Emperor System forever.

The true nature of the Emperor System is debatable. Politically, it was the most convenient system to keep from people the true nature of the Government's anti-democratic, feudalistic, reactionary and agressive policy which was connected with the bureaucratic GUMBATSU, ZAIBATSU and parasitic landowners. Hence, supporters of the Emperor System are the protectors of the old influences as well as reactionives who prevent the establishment of democracy. The so-called protectors of the Emperor System and the national structure rose to power by agitating among the innocent people

POLITICAL SERIES: 182 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

to prevent the development of democracy. If the people sincerely desire to maintain the Emperor System, such dangerous political conspiracy and deception must be weeded out.

Hence, to effect the establishment of democracy propoganda advocating the maintenance of the Emperor System must be learned, and the true teachings of democracy will eventually bring freedom. In JAPAN, without prompt action, freedom of speech will not be established.

Summary:

Why did the decision for a "General Resignation" take a sudden turn at the last moment and end up as a 'reorganization'? The Nation should think hard on this point; in short, the feeling of defeat must pierce the Nations heart.

The truth of the Cabinet meeting of the 11th is as follows: After the recess of the morning session, the meeting was resumed with the reture of Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, who had been our since the morning to ascertain the opinion of the Supreme Commander. As all the ministers were determined on resignation, they silently awaited the Foreign Minister's utterance, and when he conveyed the Supreme Commander's opinion they felt as if they had been slapped in the face. Then those who were liable under the directive unanimously opened their mouths "we cannot worry the Premier any more for our sake, We shall retire at once." The situation tock a sudden turn and the Premier, who once had made up his mind for resignation en bloc, changed his intention to reorganization.

Circumstances being as they are, we must carry on with the reorganization for the time being, but it does not mean that the reorganization is the best plan for present JAPAN. Consquently, it is a great mistake for the political parties to rejoice or despair according to their respective interests, and still worse if they make use of this incident in the election campaigns.

Regarding the parties' attitude and the Cabinet ministers' views since the 4th, a person concerned with the Allied Supreme Command pointed out, "Both the Cabinet members and partymen utterly forget that they are a defeated nation and are being carried away by the event, judging things on a peacetime basis." Is it possible, then, for JAPAN to rise up again as a democratic country?

The people must severely censure themselves before censuring others. If, during the five months since the defeat, the intellectual classes, casting aside a hesitant attitude, had given up, and the public, throwing away irresolution and calculation, had awakened to democratic self-consciousness the present result would have had a different showing. Not even a democratic front has been formed in JAPAN to say nothing of a popular front. Thus the superb chance for our democratifation, as given by the directive, has passed unnoticed before our very eyes on account of the lethargy of the masses. The circumstances of the recent political change offer a stern lesson to the people in this respect.

Full Translation:

Mr. HIROSE, Hisatada, of TOKYO-To, appears to have rendered his resignation, The reason for his resignation may be that he was once the secretary-gener[illegible]of the Imperial Rule Political Assistance Association, and he is liable under MacARTHUR's directive.

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POLITICAL SERIES: 182 (Continued)

Full Translation:

Having decided to reorganize rather than resign en masse, the work of reconstructing the SHIDEHARA Cabinet has generally progressed smoothly. The installation ceremony by the Emperor is expected to take place on 13 January.

As soon as the reconstruction of the Cabinet was decided, on the basis of its reorganization completed on the 12th, the Government began to select its supplementary ministers. In the morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary TSUGITA and the various ministers concerned gathered at the private residence of Prime Minister SHIDEHARA in SETAGAYA-Ku; they consulted about the choice of supplementary Ministers and the selection of other personnel. In the afternoon the ministers who were affected by the SCAP directives were asked to visit the governmental residence of the Prime Minister. Chief Cabinet Secretary TSUGITA explained the Government's policy as regard its reorganization and asked for their approval.

The plans of the Government were as follows:

• (1) Home Minister HORIKIRI, Education Minister MAEDA, Agriculture and Forestry Minister MATSUMURA, Transportation Minister TANAKA, and Minister of State and Chief Cabinet Secretary TSUGITA are to retire from their posts
• (2) It was informally decided that Mr. MITSUCHI, Chuzo, Privy Councilor, is to be appointed Home Minister and Transportation Minister as an additional post.
• (3) It was informally decided that Mr. SOIJIMA Chibachi, is to be appointed Agriculture Minister; Mr. ABE, Yoshishige, Education Minister; and in accordance with the retirement of Mr. TSUGITA, Mr. NARAHASHI, Wataru, who is Chief of the Board of Legislation will be Chief Secretary of the Cabinet.

The Government is to ask for SCAP's approval of the Cabinet's reorganization. If the present personnel are formally decided upon, the investiture will occur in the presence of Justice Minister IWATA. The intention of SHIDEHARA's Cabinet, over which dark clouds seemed to hover ever since the issue of SCAP's directive, on 4 January, has become clearer. The general election will be conducted by this Cabinet at the most suitable time.

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