Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0220, 1946-01-24.

Full Translation:

A roundtable talk was held on 18 January under the auspices of the SENDAI Municipality's Culture Encouragement Section. Professors SHIMMYO, HIROHAMA, NAKAGAWA, and YANASE, of the Northeastern Imperial University, Mr. SATO, Chairman of the City Assembly, Mrs. KIYOSHI, Susukida, and our director and president, Mr. ICHIRIKI, were present at the meeting, which was opened in the chamber of the City Assembly.

Serious discussion took place about the problems of the political education of the citizens and about the future forms and aspects of democracy. Warm discussions ensued regarding the Emperor system and the maintenance of the national independence of our Country. Frank opinions were also expressed about on historical survey of democracy in JAPAN and the electorate's mental preparation for the forthcoming general elections It was decided that the city authorities would plan practical measures. The meeting closed at 6 P.M.

In SHIOGAMA City it was unanimously decided that all of the 53 town-assembly heads and their staffs would resign by 10 January in order to make a new start. Forty-two town assemblies have already chosen new men, and the rosters of the recommended persons were presented to the City, but the remaining 11 towns are still hanging back and are now being censured by the public.

The progressive boys and girls in the town of ISHINOMAKI recently formed the ISHINOMAKI Reading Society. This was done with the assistance of Mr. YOSHIDA, head of the ISHINOMAKI Library, in order to encourage reading and to accelerate the establishment of a democratic Nation through culture.

Summary:

An extraordinary session of the HIROSAKI municipal assembly was called at 1330 on 20 January to choose a new mayor. It was attended by a full committee of 34 persons.

At the meeting, Mr. NOMURA proposed Mr. IWABUCHI, Tsutomu, while Mr. KASHIWA proposed Mr. KUDO, Tosao, as successors. It was decided to hold the election by a single secret ballot. After the ballot was opened, Mr. IWABUCHI had gained 17 votes, while Mr. KUDO obtained 16 votes. Thus, Mr. IWABUCHI has succeeded as mayor.

POLITICAL SERIES: 220 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

Mr. IWABUCHI, the new mayor of HIROSAKI City, is 59 years old. He comes from the city and graduated from the financial department of KEIO University. At present, he holds a high position in the TSUGARU Railway Company.

Full Translation:

The word "Communist" has become a household word. We hear it frequently in the news radio press and magazines. It can be considered that the word exerts great influences especially upon the younger generation, but how many of them have read the "Declaration of the Communist Party", and have grasped, the real spirit of the Party?

So it is in the case of the problem of the Emperor System. How many are discussing the Emperor System with second hand information? We have touched a great deal on the subject of the absolutism of the Emperor. However, what a frivolous attitude it would be to claim the simple overthrow of the Emperor System without studying the essence or history of the system.

The youth is the most important class in the new JAPAN and their ideas or actions decide the fate of the country. So they must be discreet as regards frivolous behavior or rote learning. The youth must consider more seriously and make solutions of various problems based on the strength of their convictions. What is more, we must impress it on their mind that ideas without conviction are only vacant knowledge.

Accordingly youth must determine to struggle to the last with a gallant fighting spirit. They can only demonstrate their full powers if they have clear consciences. The youth of the new JAPAN must use greater prudence in the future.

Summary:

It was informally decided that former governor of NIIGATA-KEN, YASUI, Seiichiro, would fill the vacancy created by Welfare Vice-Minister KAMEYAMA, Koichi, who has tendered his resignation in accordance with SCAP purge order. YASUI, Seichiro, from OKAYAMA-Ken is 56 years old; he was long a member of the Home and Oversea Affairs Ministry. After serving as governor of NIIGATA-Ken became director of the Bureau of Safety and director of the Electricity Bureau in TOKYO.

Full Translation:

After its reorganization, the present Cabinet established an Administrative Readjustment Council and launched a program of administrative readjustment. The Cabinet already has decided upon the main points of a revision in the employment of public officials and a plan for reducing number of persons in many of the offices. In this regard various offices are expected to devise concrete drafts to submit to the Cabinet by the end of January and to enforce them by the end of March.

The Government has strengthened its resolution to carry out administrative readjustment as a first step. At the Cabinet meeting held on 22 January, Chief Secretary of the Cabinet NARAHASHI spoke on this point,

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POLITICAL SERIES: 220 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

and said the following "Concerning the practice of administrative adjustment which was decided upon at the Cabinet meeting, I hear that among the authorities of some offices there is some desire to postpone administrative readjustments, but the Government does not intend to delay. It intends to practice administrative readjustment as expected."

Various ministers conferred on the readjustments. Therefore, various offices will immediately submit concrete proposals for the reduction of personnel in the Cabinet. A definite plan has already been completed. It is scheduled to be introduced to the Cabinet for approval.

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