Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0014, 1945-11-15.

Summary:

Japanese history is full of myths. Its earliest period, especially, is made up of mythological elements. Yet, in Japan, scientific study has been prohibited as an offence to the Imperial family, SHIRAYANAGI SHUKCO, who has long been against official historians, says that nationalists, militarists and feudalists have insisted that the Japanese race originated in JAPAN, denying the anthropological fact that Japanese did come from the continent. Japanese history must now he completely rewritten from a scientific point of view, sweeping away its mythological irrational elements.

There was the miscalculations of Japanese annals before Emperor KIMMEI for example, 700 years being reckoned in spite of evidence that the period was much shorter. The scientific study of the annals of Japanese history and of the origin of Japanese has been prohibited by nationalists as a sort of profanity to the Emperor.

As an instance of this: A certain writer re-wrote into modern Japanese some years ago the KOJIKI and NIHON SHOKI, which are both histories of the Imperial family. He was tried and the court rendered the decision that it was an offense to the Imperial Family, even if concerned with matters of 1,000 years ago, in spite of the insistence to the contrary by the famous lawyer, Dr. HANAI, TAKUZO.

Summary:

Although peace is restored, all Japanese are having a hard time. Especially the 10,000,000 War-sufferers should have the deepest sympathy from us all. The Association for the Protection of War-sufferers is doing its best to relieve them. As for their houses the Association has asked the Reconstruction Bureau to start building barracks in the near future in spite of all difficulties of transportation or collecting material.

Clothing is to be requested from all the Neighborhood Associations all over JAPAN as well as from the Commerce and Industry Ministry. Sympathy should also be extended to those coming back from abroad and the Association, with the help of the Government, has made Preparations to give them proper accommodations.

SOCIAL SERIES: 14 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

Those war-sufferers and people coming from abroad who are in need of medical assistance are to he looked after by the Charity Hospital Association (SAISEI-KAI), or by Japan Medical Association.

The Association has established in some war-racked districts besides TOKYO, some clinical hospitals. With all the help from the Association and the firm, united efforts on the part of the sufferers, sympathy with them from those who escaped the war damage is most necessary.

Full translation:

Medical examination service as an Imperial gift to war sufferers, which was originally scheduled to close on 9 November, will be continued until the end of March next year, in accordance with the Imperial intention expressed to Mr. SHIGETA, Director of Welfare Department of the TOKYO Metropolitan Office. Department on November 8.

At present, the medical examination clinics operated by Imperial favor are being opened at 126 places including SHINJUKU, MITSUKOSHI etc., by 96 groups of physicians including four groups of court physicians despatched by the Imperial Household Department. Hereafter, there will be one clinic for each ward, court physicians's groups being reduced to two.

Full translation:

At 1730 on the 7th the Minister of Interior HORIKIRI who had just finished attending a meeting of police chiefs in the Ministry of Interior was assaulted by SASAKI MATSUO, (26), and MARUYAMA SHIGE, (20), who are engaged in relief work for war sufferers in the SHITAYA elementary school. But the bodyguard surrounded the two and efleeted their arrest before they could harm the Minister. The two had requested the Minister to visit the UENO War Sufferers (Vagrants). The Minister had promised to do so. later, as he was busy with the conference. The two seem to have assaulted the Minister because they were dissatisfied with his answer.

Extracts:

Four hundred and fifty vagrants, better termed raid-victims have been sent to the UENO Vagrant House (situated in SAMPO-KAIKAN, Basement of ASAKUSA HONGANJI Temple). This philanthropic enterprise was founded by a gentleman and six unemployed ex-soldiers. These benefactors were strongly affected by the sight of homeless people starving and even dying from hunger around the UENO Station. Their enthusiasm affected the Welfare Ministry and TOKYO-TO Authorities, and their desire to establish the shelter was realized. Beside giving aid to war-victims, they removed 74 bodies from the UENO Station premises. Half of the succored people are war orphans, and the remainder is a horde of men who have lost their jobs and homes by the war.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 14 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

They swarmed around the UENO Station seeking shelter. There they have been scarcely keeping body and soul together by begging from travelers for scraps of food. The number of these vagrants has shown an upward trend as many workers have been discharged from war industries. The homeless people of advanced years have been dying of hunger and malnutrition day by day. Among the vagrants, also began to appear the "Street Girls," Their numbers row are at least 60 or 70. Most of them are unemployed factory-girls.

The number of vagrants seen at UENO does not diminish although they are sent to the shelter daily. They will continue to increase until the fundamental problem is solved. The starving are seen not only at UENO Station, but throughout the country. The whole nation of JAPAN is anxiously awaiting relief by the Government, before it is too late.

Summary:

The Agricultural Minister MATSUMURA yesterday farmers met representatives of CHIBA in order to discuss with them this year's rice sales allotment. But the farmers were not satisfied with the government proposals. They pointed out that last year's sales allotment was much too severe. Some villages had to turn over their entire rice crop on promise that the government would return their rice rations to them. They pointed out further that the will to comply to government orders for this year's sales allotment amongst the farmers was very low. The Agricultural Minister said that the government did not intend to repeat last year's measures, but he said he could not promise that the farmers will be allowed to keep a stock of rice, if they computed it at an average daily consumption per capita of three GO.

MAINICHI, however, pointed out that the success of this year's rice allotment will depend entirely on the question of how much the farmers will be allowed to keep. Other complaints made by the farmers representatives were that the control of river dikes was left to Home Ministry Officials who did not respect the farmer's interests. In consequence the rivers overflowed every year and damaged rice crops. Therefore, they argued the Agricultural Ministry should take charge of river control in so far as it concerned prevention of floods.

Other complaints were on the non-delivery or insufficient delivery of tools and manure. There was also a question raised as to whether the government would not effect a rice monopoly and guarantee rice ration according to age and occupation, but, the Agricultural Minister waived the question, saying the problem was too big and he could not decide it himself.

One farmer's representative declared, that the way to raise the farmers will to production is to give him his own land and suggested compulsory release of land by landowners. The Agricultural Minister replied that this question was under consideration at present. A doctor pointed out that some consumers had acquired, more rice than the peasants had themselves by bartering rice against clothing and daily necessities.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 14 (Continued)

Summary:

The plan to establish a broadcasting station is now on foot among students of the TOKYO Industrial Colleges (TOKYO KOGYO DAIGAKU). For the purpose of broadcasting chiefly for students all over the country, lectures of famous professors of the different universities and colleges, school news, students' opinions, sports' news and student concerts. The plan originated with several of the 3rd class students of the mechanical course of the College. It has been supported by many other students and is now steadily materializing under the guidance of Mr. OKOCHI, Assistant Professor of the electrical course.

To save expenses, a short wave broadcast will be adopted. The school will purchase two kilogram motors and broadcasting sets, originally intended for the military, from the Government.

Two students accompanied by Assistant Professor, IKEHARA called on the MacARTHUR Headquarters on October 24 and 25 and. applied for permission.

The exchange of communications by short waves with AMERICA being simple, this will probably be the first means used, but the students are hoping to open with a general broadcast. Although the students are very earnest, the realization of their hope in thought very difficult. However, Professor OKOCHI is rendering assistance.

Mr. IIDA, one of the sponsors said: "We cannot issue college newspapers owing to the want of paper, so we hope to express ourselves through broadcasting. As there may be many difficulties in the collection of materials, we are not sure if the plan will be realized while we are in college, but we will do our best to accomplish it with the cooperation of all cnncerned."

Full translation:

Children's gatherings will be held throughout the country, under the sponsorship of the Food Association (OYOSHOKURYO REMMEI), supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry Education, TOKYO Metropolitan Office, other District Offices, and the Japan Hut Food Association (NIPPON JUJITSU SHOKURYO KUMIAI), for the purpose of expressing thanks to children who have played, active parts in collecting acorn and other resources, and to promote the work of discovering new resources.

The central gathering in TOKYO will be held, at HIBIYA Public Hall from 10 to noon on 14 November. For the meeting one teacher and 5 students from each primary school will be Invited.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 14 (Continued)

Summary:

Many policies toward democratizing schools are materializing due to the efforts of the Education Ministry.

Militarists and Ultra-nationalists must be expelled from schools. The reappointment of liberals has already begun.

The establishment of Committees to investigate the qualifications of 400,000 teachers of the country is planned by the Education Ministry, prefectural governments, and universities.

Training schools will be opened for the purpose of orienting teachers to new Education methods. The administration of a school's affairs will be left completely to the discretion of the principal's of each school. As a result of the dissatisfaction evidenced in several recent school strikes, the minister of education is taking steps to remove principals of various government universities, high schools, technical schools, and normal schools by the middle of this month. This removal has significantly spurred the resignations of those who have reached the retirement age, making room for the promotion of young men. Approximately 40 principals will be removed, and later as the first step this change will extend to the principals of 200 government schools.

Summary:

A very interesting and rare incident is reported in today's YOMIURI HOCHI. Bundles of hundred yen bank-note broke open and fluttered about the streets. From one car-stop to another, Ұ 100 notes spread over the road covering nearly a distance of 2 blocks. As a result, indescribable confusion broke out, and traffic stopped for a while as the mad crowd rushed toward the scattered bills.

At about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 8th, a truck loaded with a wooden-boxes containing 2,000,000 sheets of newly minted Ұ 100 notes (Ұ 200,000,000 worth) reached a. point at No. 402, HONHASUNUMA, ITABASKI-KU, en route from the Relief Printing Process Co., Ltd. (TOPPAN INSATSU KABUSHIKI KAISHA), ITABASHI Plant, where the bills were printed, to the Bank of JAPAN to deliver the money, when suddenly one of the front wheels fell into a pit on the road. At that moment the ropes which fastened the load to the body of the car snapped due to the sudden shook. Consequently the load of boxes fell to the road and broke. The bank notes were blown all about. As a result the road was covered with bank-notes. A covetous crowd dashed to the scene to pick up the scattered money, causing great confusion and excitement. When a squad, of policemen arrived at the scene by truck, the bank-employees escorting the money were found, lying on the road unconscious. 2 of them were seriously injured, while other 3 were slightly wounded. The remaining money was gathered up by the policemen, with the assistance of 50 workmen despatched from the bank, and returned to the bank.

220,000 notes, or Ұ 22,000,000 was scattered in the streets. Of this amount, Ұ 1,547,300 is still missing.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 14 (Continued)

ITEM 10 (Continued)

With the cooperation of the Metropolitan Police, the bank has begun a thorough search for the missing money. However, it is expected the search will meet with extreme difficulty, because notes bearing the same serial numbers have already been issued, according to one of the bank officials.

The excitement lasted for about an hour, the YOMIURI HOCHI reports.

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