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Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0189, 1946-01-16.
translation-number: political-0785
call-number: DS801 .S85
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER SECTION
PRESS TRANSLATIONS
No. 785 Date: 16 Jan 46
POLITICAL SERIES: 189
ITEM 1 The Reorganized Cabinet as Conservative As Ever: Fair Election Aimed At - Mainichi
Shimbun - l4 Jan 46. Translator: S. Hirata.
Full Translation:
Following the dismissal of officials belonging to IZAWA'S clique and of members of
the Progressive Party, some changes have been made in the Cabinet by the entry of
Mr. MITSUCHI,
Mr. SOEJIMA, (who apparently had MITSUCHI's recommendation), Mr. ABE, and a new chief
secretary of the Cabinet. However, there is no substantial change in its character
as a
conservative intermediary Cabinet. On the contrary, it seems to have strengthened
its conservative nature. The Cabinet avoided party men in the present reorganization,
lest it
should incur suspicion as the "general election Cabinet" in asking the assistance
of Political parties. The veteran statesman, Mr. MITSUCHI, will be influential in
the Cabinet as
vice-minister. Since both Prime Minister SHIDEHARA and Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, are
not well-versed in home administration, it is generally supposed that he will sway
the future
activities of the Cabinet.
In spite of the cutting criticism against Mr. SOEJI[illegible]A, Agriculture Minister, on the grounds that he is least qualified to solve the critical
food
situation, Mr. MITSUCHI is of the opinion that the closest co-operation of the Home
Minister and Agriculture Minister is of utmost importance to facilitate shipments
for farmers.
Judging from his point of view, we presume that he proposes to promote delivery by
co-operating with Mr. SOEJIMA. MATSUMURA, the former Agriculture minister, was also
of the
opinion that there is nothing wrong with the assumption of the post of Home Minister
and Agriculture Minister by one person. As a result of this mode of thinking, the
MITSUCHI and
SOEJIMA combination may be realized. But various political parties contest vehemently
that it is absolutely impossible for this conservative combination to carry through
resolute
measures in this national crisis. Moreover, there has been strong opposition to Mr.
SOEJIMA, from the very beginning, on the part of the business authorities in the Agriculture
and
Forestry Ministry. From their point of view, a serious crisis is anticipated within
the reorganized Cabinet due to the antagonistic relation with the said authorities
as regards
future agricultural policy. Thus the frailness of the Cabinet is already evident.
As one of the influential members, Mr. NARAHASHI, Wataru, who has been appointed Chief
Cabinet
Secretary in the present reorganization, will be as one of the men to decide the future
movements of the reorganized Cabinet when he works in co-operation with such officials
as
Director of the Cabinet Board of Legislation ISHIGURO and Deputy-Chief Secretary of
the Cabinet TAJIRI.
Thus far, we have predicted the future of the Cabinet chiefly from the standpoint
of its personnel relationships. As regards administration, how much can the Cabinet
accomplish in
the solution of difficulties in the national food situation and in the prevention
of inflation? But public opinion, which expressed its undisguised dissatisfaction
at the
reorganization, is, in this regard, too pessimistic.
POLITICAL SERIES: 189 (Continued)
ITEM 2 Intention Of Mr. NOZAKA. Sanzo - Asahi Shimbun - 15 Jan 46. Translator: S.
Kawasaki.
Full Translation:
In the car on the way to TOKYO, Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo asserted, "Let the communist Party
be loved by the masses! Let the party develop and grow familiar with the masses!"
He also made
this statement at the meeting welcoming NOZAKA and his party held at the Headquarters
of the Party. The fact that his methods are those beloved by the masses, is the Party
leaders'
criticism of his policy. The joint statement made by the Central Executive Committee
on 14 January and Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo, has demanded the removal of the Emperor System
from the
State. Namely, sovereignty lies with the people, to say nothing of sovereign rights,
the consultative rights and all the powerful political positions. Then, the problem
of the
maintenance or abolition of the Imperial line, must he decided by the nation along
democratic lines.
Further the question arises as to the Communist's Party's views on what will be the
Emperor's position in the social system, and whether or not they will wish to retain
the Emperor
after the removal of his sovereign rights from the organization of the state.
Concerning the above two points, the Joint statement says as follows: At the present
time when the present conditions of the Imperial Household and the Emperor's position
in
political circles is in such a state of uncertainty, nothing can be said. It should
be decided by the people on democratic lines.
It is noted with great interest that Mr. NOZAKA advocated "the democratic front".
That is what has been organized by the proletariat and the masses of the laborers.
However, after
the war, the menace of Fascism was checked owing to the fall of various invaded countries;
and at the same time, in the present condition of JAPAN in which the elements of
militarism are now being swept away, the proletariat and the masses organized by medium
and small commercial and industrial businessmen have been left. Therefore, all of
them are
included; and in order to tide over the national crisis and to discover a way of living
for the nation, we should proceed with the reconstruction of JAPAN. Such a movement
will be
properly called "The democratic front."
Finally, Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo intends to put the popular front up against the power
of the ancient regime, making use of all those who can be gathered in the greatest
numbers from the
various political parties and classes with a view to co-operating with various groups
and classes, the Communist Party now, comes under the great influence of Mr. NOZAKA,
in
support of this front.
ITEM 3 New Home Minister HITSUCHI's Ideas - Asahi Shimbun - 15 Jan 46. Translator:
F. Tachibana.
Full Translation:
Home Minister MITSUCHI attended his office for the first time at 1300 hours on l4
January. After he took over from former Minister HORIKIRI, he had an interview with
a group of
reporters and made a statement to the effect that he would change prefectural governors
quite soon so as to dismiss the officials who were affected by the Allied directive
and that
it would be difficult, because food conditions, to introduce to the Diet the reform
of the local administrative system chiefly through selection of prefectural governors
by
election.
The essential points of the new Home Minister's talk are as follows:
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POLITICAL SERIES: 189 (Continued)
ITEM 3 (Continued)
| "Reform in personnel. Although this problem requires my judgment based on the SCAP directives, I intead to go on open-handedly without doing anything to modify the demands of SCAP. I will treat this problem according to my principle that I will carry out the directive as faithfully as possible. However, as the contents of the Allied directives are vague, there are some people affected by them, apparently, but not always actually. Therefore, it is necessary to decide each specific case after careful investigation. I will soon change the prefectural governors and other officials who come under the directive. This must be carried out before the general election. Then I want to choose prefectural governors from among the public as best I can, but this may be very difficult. In changing prefectural governors I will not be a stickler for prefectural ranks and the year of graduation. For example, I will appoint a chief of the internal affairs department, if appropriate, to the governorship of the same prefecture. It is especially urgent to appoint the Chief of TOKYO Metropolis, so I will appoint him prior to the general shake-up. |
| "Fairness in the general election. I will execute the election so fairly that the people will be surprised. The election is concerned only with the people, not with the Home Ministry or prefectural governors. We will exercise control according to the penal provisions of the law as they are, and nothing more. We have only to control evils. The officials of the Home Ministry have nothing else to do during the election. |
| "Reform of local administrative system. It is impossible to make a prefecture a complete self-governing body, because however much it may be reformed there remain national affairs. So I want to reconsider whether it is better to make prefectural officials government officials or public officials. It will be bad if prefectural governors become dilatory because of the system of appointment by election. In the food problem, for example, the Home Ministry takes charge of 70 per cent of the business and the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry 30 Per cent. The prefectural governors are responsible for the supply and ration of rice. The food problem is serious this year. If the rice crop this year is not so good as the normal one, we shall face difficult conditions. So we must give consideration to this problem in appointing prefectural governors by election, and it may possibly be delayed. Therefore, it is difficult to introduce the local administrative reform chiefly through appointment of preffectural governors by election to the extraordinary Diet after the general election. However, it is urgently necessary to expand civil rights and revise election of members to the prefectural assembly. |
| "Measures for law and order. We must think over the police system too. It is not good that the people are controled and supervised by the police. I wish that the people govern themselves by helping each other and the police shall only assist them to do so. One way to ensure this may be the transferof superintendence of administrative police to cities, towns and villages. So as to strengthen police power I intend to raise the quality of police." |
ITEM 4 Appointment of the Two Directors of The Cabinet - Asahi Shimbun - 15 Jan 46.
Translator: S. Kawasaki.
Full Translation:
As a result of the reshuffle of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet, the appointments. if Mr. NARAHASHI,
Wataru as Chief Cabinet Secretary and Mr. ISHIGURO, Takeshige as Director of the Board
of
Legislation, have been decided on at the Cabinot meeting held on 13 January.
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POLITICAL SERIES: 189 (Continued)
ITEM 5 Successor to Vice Minister of Education - Asahi Shimbun - 15 Jan 46. Translator:
S. Kawasaki.
Full Translation:
The rise in status of the present Chief of the Scientific Educational Board of the
Education Ministry, YAMAZAKI, Kyosuke makes him a suitable person for successor to
former
vice-Minister OMURA, Seichi.
ITEM 6 Government Office Democratization Promotion Mass Meeting - Asahi Shimbun -
l4 Jan 46. Translator: S. Kawasaki.
Full Translation:
The staff association of the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry will hold a mass meeting
for the advance of democracy in government offices, at the Central Agriculture Building
on
15 January. Participating will be representatives of various ministries, the Departments
of Railways and Communication, the TOKYO Metropolitan Office, and the Agricultural
Society.
ITEM 7 Reorganization of SHIDEHARA Cabinet - Tokyo Shimbun - l4 Jan 46. Translator:
S. Kawasaki.
Extracts:
From the initial receipt of the directive purging militarists to the decision for
reorganizing the SHIDEHARA Cabinet, there were three steps: 1. SHIDEHARA; YOSHIDA;
and TSUGITA
supported the argument and laid the ground work for cabinet reorganization; 2. Directors
of the Board of Legislation NARAHASHI sharply differed with SHIDEHARA and TSUGITA
on the
question requiring an Imperial mandate to form new ministries, and it was generally
believed the Cabinet would re[illegible]on blac; and, 3. At an urgent cabinet
meeting held on 11 January, Agriculture Minister MATSUMURA held forth persistently
for reorganization, and as a result, a number of ministers refused to come to an agreement.
Seeking SHIDEHARA1s opinion, MATSUMURA and Minister without Portfolio TSUGITA called
on SHIDEHARA who was bedridden at his home in SETAGAYA, and after stating their views,
learned
that SHIDEHARA would proceed with reorganization, after due deliberation.
Foriegn Minister YOSHIDA is secret manipulations are discernible in these proceedings,
having given rise to doubts both within and without the cabinet. His position in the
cabinet
was rapidly becoming untenable.
Reorganization, supported by the bureaucrats SHIDEHARA; YOSHIDA; and TSUGITA, was
temporarily thwarted by the opposition of liberal Party members such as NARAHASHI.
As a result,
the Premiers' opinion was solicited, and became the deciding factor in favor of resignation
en bloc. But soon, MATSUMURA, arguing from the Progressive Party standpoint, supported
reorganization, and his views prevailed. This clearly demonstrates the incompetence
of bureaucrats, and proves that ministers belonging to political parties are, in reality,
partisan.
On the other hand, since Foreign Minister YOSHIDA did not visit SCAP Headquarters,
NARAHASHI did, to determine from Political Advisor ACHESON what intentions were, and
to ask
co-operation. By doing so, NARAHASHI strengthened his position in the Cabinet.
TSUGITA has already submitted his resignation in compliance with the purge directive.
YOSHIDA, however, displayed by his deceit the bankruptcy and political inaptitude
of the
SHIDEHARA Cabinet.
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POLITICAL SERIES: 189 (Continued)
ITEM 7 (Continued)
It is obvious that bureaucratic prestige is on the wane, and that the power and influence
of political parties has developed.
DISTRIBUTION "X"
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