Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0135, 1945-12-30.

Summary:

Mrs. KAMIJIKA, Ichiko, writer of the article, lives at present in NAGANO. She moved there two years ago with her two daughters, but she has now been recalled to TOKYO to participate in the formation of the new democratic Japanese Women's Association. In TOKYO she met the American lady officer, Lt. WEED, of GHQ, who intends to lead the democratic movement of the Japanese Women.

In the meantime the Japanese Women's Association, formed by the state during the war, has been dissolved, and Lt. WEED complained to Mrs. KAMIJIKA that every time a group of Japanese ladies are formed, they disappear again. Mrs. KAHIJIKA then continues that it is true that up till now the only successful Japanese Women's association was formed by command of the Japanese Government during the war, and this association in no way served the Japanese worsens' interests.

Right after the first World War some able Japanese women did attempt to form a union to get womens suffrage, but it lacked organization and there fore collapsed. Mrs. KAMIJIKA was compelled to inform Lt. WEED of the average low intellectual level of Japanese Women, their lack of progressive thought and interest, and their unwillingness to serve a common cause outside their families. However, this will have to change if JAPAN is to be reconstructed.

Mrs. KAMIJIKA told Lt. WEED that the present mortality rate among infants in JAPAN is twice as high as last year and three times as high as the year before last. This is to be attributed to malnutrition Lt. WEED replied that American women in a like instance would hold meetings: storm Government offices, and obtain the necessary milk for their children and food for themselves, Mrs. KAMIJIKA was very much impressed for this showed the difference between American and Japanese Women. Japanese women showed themselves incapable of organizing public support for the lives of their children, but had served as submissive tools of the GUMBATSU. Japanese Women must adopt a new attitude. They should liberate themselves from the all-exclusive family system and sense of abnegation.

Women's suffrage will be a good means to teach them this. At the end of the first World War, the Russian Women were in the same submerged, position, but they stand today equal to the men. If the Japanese women I wish to save their infants and solve the food problem for themselves, they must learn to fight for their interests. They will have to learn from the examples of the Americans and Soviet Women to do this.

SOCIAL SERIES: 135 (Continued)

Summary,

The armed burglary cases which are now rampant in the streets of TOKYO become more frequent every day. The unprecedented vicious character of these crimes committed at pistol point have already passed beyond the control of the Metropolitan Police Forces. The only hope of Tokyoites is to rely upon the powerful cordon of the Military Police of the Allied Forces. In this connection a reporter of the ASAHI interviewed yesterday Brigadier-General FERRIN Commander of the Military Police Corps stationed in TOKYO at his Headquarters. The following is a report of the interview:

Question: What is your opinion of the frequent burglaries commited by armed thieves.

Answer: We are fully informed regarding them. I think the situation is too serious to be neglected as it is.

Question: Please tell me about concrete measures now being enforced as well as future measures.

Answer: Our duty is to control the UNITED STATES troops. Upon receiving a report of any burglary case, we promptly dispatch an armed squad of Military Police to the scene. In addition to this we have our men stationed at the Police Stations under our juricediction at nights. Starting today (27 December) all the Military Police Forces with other troops will cover the entire district of TOKYO. The M.P.s will divide the area into four districts, for the purpose of preventing crimes. The annihilation of the "public enemy" of this kind is my duty. Therefore I am resolved to take every possible step.

Question: What do you mean by every possible step. Would you kindly explain?

Answer: I mean the use of American Police methods. Short wave sets will be installed in each police station in the Metropolis and also in every Military police jeep on patrol at night. All the reports of crimal cases will be transmitted immediately to the jeep operating in the vicinity of the point where the offence has occured, so as to arrest the offenders on the spot. Under the present system several hours usually elapses before the report reaches us. So, it is usuall too late to arrest the culprits. Another step must be to permit a considarable number of Japanese policemen to carry arms necessary far the fulfillment of their duties.

Question: When will this radio equipment be installed?

Answer: In the near future. It will take some time because we must import the apparatus from abroad. However the equipment has already been ordered.

Question: Will you allow citizens to protect themselves when assaulted by burglars?

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SOCIAL SERIES: 135 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

Answer: It will be permitted. I feel that every citizen has a right to defend himself by using every possible means in case he is threatened by any weapon. But in some cases self-defense may be difficult. Here is a warning I want to give every citizen. One must avoid walking alone at night. In case burglars break in, do not struggle, but hand over the money. It is much safer.

Question: What do you think of the crimes commited by demobilized Lien in comparison with those in the UNITED STATES? Don't you think the punishment for such a crime is too light in our law?

Answer: (given smilingly) As a matter of fact, in TCKYO the total number of these crimes does not come to my attention. The number of crimes committed by demobilized soldiers during the post war period is liable to increase in any country. It was experienced in the UNITED STATES from 1919 to 1921. Measures to combat it today are being taken by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In comparison with GERMANY, the number of such crimes in JAPAN is extremely small. So there is no need to worry provided the necessary steps are taken.

Full Translation:

The JAPAN Democratic Association (NIPPON MINSHUSHUGI RENMEI) held an inaugurel meeting on 26 December at its office in the AMIMONG Building at CINZA, KYOBASHI-Ku. EGI, Jakehiku was elected its chief. The association plans to give lectures at several factories and other place; where many laborers work, their aim is to give the public full understanding of democracy.

Full Translation:

A laborers school was opened to train youths who are destined to be the leaders of trade unions. It is located in YOKO Dormitory at 85 IKEDA-Cho KAWASAHI-Shi. Lectures will be given twice weekly begining 25 December by labor leaders on the labor union system, Japanese history economics and other subjects which are necessary for leaders of labor.

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