Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0123, 1945-12-26.

Summary:

As an aftermath of the termination of war a new kind of social problem has arisen recently in NAGASAKI-Ken. The problem concerns the physical condition of young women who have been discharged from war industries. These women had worked hard for victory. What they got, however, in return for their devoted labor, was fatigue which has often developed into consumption.

Counter-measures have been under contemplation by the prefectural authorities, who have finally summoned the personnel concerned, on 15 December, to the prefectural office. A conference was held there to discuss measures for tuberculosis prevention among the young women. The conference was attended by the President of the Medical Association in the prefecture, heads of town and village assemblies, heads of all health offices, and principals of all the secondary girls' schools. At the conference it was decided to call public attention to this matter and to strengthen the planned measures which have been taken by the prefectural authorities on the following points: (l) guidance and enforcement of tuberculosis prevention (medical examination of the discharged and the families of the sick and medical guidance in the patients' homes), and (2) enforcement of medical examination for workwomen, and (3) labor control for workwomen. In this connection the co-operation of the parties concerned is requested.

Summary:

A new reaction caused by atomic energy namely a case of leukemia, has recently been disclosed by Professor MASUO, Tomiichi, of Professor SAWADA's Clinic of Internal Medicine of KYUSHU Imperial University. He recently visited the former OMURA Naval Hospital to investigate the atomic bomb victims of NAGASAKI

SOCIAL SERIES: 123 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

According to the professor, a male patient who had been affected by the atomic bomb and had been treated in the KYUSHU Imperial University Hospital had been given permission to leave the hospital on account of complete recovery. The convalescent, however, re-entered the hospital with the complaint of an ache in the throat. The patient died in the middle of last November.

An observation of the patient's condition revealed to the astonishment of the professor, that there was an unconceivable increase of leucocytes, to 40,000, 50,000, or even to 100,000, in some cases. Generally, a patient affected by atomic energy usually shows an enormous decrease of leucocytes of four to five hundred in one cubic millimeter of blood, instead of the normal amount of 6,000.

It was also peculiar that hypertrophies of liver, spleen and lymphatic glands in various parts were observed. These facts however, pharmacologically are quite reasonable. Because, when a toxin acts on an organism, it stimulates it if the applied dose is small, while a toxin restricts the action of an organism if a large dose is applied. In other words, the rays radiated from the atomic bomb are a kind of toxin. If the position of an individual when the explosion of an atomic bomb took place was some distance away, and the radiated rays were weak or the bone-marrow of the victim was considerably strong, the toxin might act as a stimulant, causing a tremendous increase of leucocytes.

Cases of direct injury caused by the atomic bomb have already disappeared. On the other hand leukemics which may be considered an indirect injury, must be considered as a new menace. Nevertheless, there is also some remedy for this disease. Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and animal proteins, especially fish, is absolutely necessary. Especially cuttlefish are considerably effective. Hence, there is no need to fear leukemia too much, but it is necessary to be careful to some extent.

Summary:

A young men's rally was held on the 15 December under the auspices of the HOKKOKU MAINICHI on the subject of reconstructing JAPAN and prizes were given for the best speeches. The following is a summary of the five best speeches:

First Prize, MAEDA, Shinichi: The Japanese people are now interested in one subject to the exclusion of all others - food. The Government has announced measures for increasing food production, but, matters are still going from bad to worse. If the present trend is allowed to continue, JAPAN will suffer an absolute collapse. Japanese youth must, therefore, lead a reform to encourage all the people to renew their efforts to reconstruct JAPAN through co-operative efforts in food production.

Second Prize - SHIMIZU, Zotoo: As regards the punishment of the war guilty and the democratization of JAPAN, the abolition of the Emperor System has been demanded by some. The hour calls for action on the part of Japanese youth, otherwise the very life of JAPAN is endangered.

- 2 -

SOCIAL SERIES: 123 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

The Emperor System has been upheld by the blood and tears and the deep belief of our ancestors. Those who would destroy this national legacy destroy the fountain of the people's political will which has its foundation in this belief. Therefore, this uprooting spirit must he fought.

Third Prize TAKEMATSU, Mikio: Freedom of the press has led to partly irresponsible diatribes. It is extremely regretable that this has also led to lese majesty against the Emperor. The Emperor and the Japanese people cannot be separated. This relation does not oppose democracy in any way. In fact, it is the one condition for the fulfillment of the POTSDAM Declaration.

Fourth Prize - NARATA, Hisashi: Uneasiness and confusion prevail all over JAPAN, so that the question is asked more and more, for what purposed do we live? Though it is said to offer democracy, it is to be regretted that many youth do not even show interest. The necessity of the hour is therefore education and enlightment.

Summary:

Human society demands progress. Japanes society has progressed in the past, with the Emperor as its center, and it must advance in the future. But, as the result of continued Japanese military victories since the MEIJI Restoration in the Sino-Japanese and the Russo-Japanese Wars, in the Boxer Rebellion, in the first World War, and in the Manchurian Incident, JAPAN unfortunately became divided internally. She had a Cabinet which called itself a Government, but the real Government was the GUMBATSU, for without the agreement of the GUMBATSU no cabinet could be organized. This GUMBATSU spread its military net on an ever wider scale until it overreached in the alliance with Germany. Then the net broke - this was at the time of the TOJO Cabinet. At the time of the Russo-Japanese War, Field Marshall OKIYAMA decided, even before any battles were fought, not to advance beyond MUKDEN. This was because he was aware of JAPAN's limited power. TOJO was not that careful, and in the end the Emperor was forced to shoulder the entire responsibility and command the fighting to cease. Some of the military tried, however, to revoke the Imperial Command in a frustrated revolt, among whome TOJO's son-in-law and Baron [illegible]. Part of the Japanese Military Police [illegible]orps tried to assist this revolt by putting up posters, urging the Nation to continue the war, and thus disobeying the Imperial Command of the Emperor.

The Japanese Army, which was supposed to be loyal to the Emperor, became disloyal. Only a unified people can defend a country, but the GUMBATSU had disolved the Japanese labor, farmer and citizens' co-operative unions. How could JAPAN, under such circumstances, expect to win the war?

JAPAN has been defeated. If the Japanese people wish to ever rise again, they must unite, listen to reason and not think only of individual gains through black marketing.

- 3 -

SOCIAL SERIES: 123 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

The Japanese Communists want to do away with the Emperor. They seem to forget that they owe their lives to the Emperor. If the Emperor, had not stopped the war, they would most probably have been exterminated in prison by an atomic bomb. KAGAWA, Toyohiko, states that he was repeatedly fined, put in prison, and questioned by the Japanese Police because he assisted the Japanese labor movement, but he always maintained that the Japanese Emperor is JAPAN'S Treasure.

The Japanese reactionaries, however, outwardly maintained that they supported the Emperor, while they actually indulged in dissipation and brutalities. The Japanese people can uphold their Emperor and their way of life, if they want to, by forming co-operative labors and farmer unions. Co-operative unions will function if the poor man offers his share of work and the rich man his capital.

General MacARTHUR's Headquarters has listened to my earnest request and gives permission for the importation of food. If the Japanese people work hard to produce food they will have more food than the Germans. The whole Prefecture of AOMORI has formed a co-operative union, FUKUSHIMA. Province and the city of KOBE are now on the way toward forming a co-operative union. If the Japanese people follow the example of SWEDEN and DENMARK, participate in a national co-operative union and establish a peaceful country, JAPAN will ultimately be able to become a member of the United Nations and the Japanese people will thereby also fulfill the command of their Emperor as loyal subjects.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

- 4 -