Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0186, 1946-01-21.

Summary:

It has been decided that the "History of the Pacific War" and other books edited by SCAP will be temporarily adopted about the last part of February as subjects in the schools, replacing morals, geography and history. Twenty days have elapsed since the teaching of morals, geography, and history, based on the present textbooks, was prohibited in accordance with a directive issued on 31 December by SCAP.

It will take a considerable time, however, before new textbooks are published. Accordingly, the school authorities had to transfer the hours scheduled for these abolished courses to other courses of study. It was, however, decided that these vacant hours would be filled until the end of April by giving new lessons centering around the "History of the Pacific War" (which was published in newspapers) and other pamphlets adopted as the common teaching materials for the abolished curriculum.

This "History of the Pacific War" may be used as teaching material for morals and history because it gives the true aspect of the war and will serve also as geography, pointing out new territorial changes. There is considerable difficulty, technically and theoretically, in teaching these subjects, however. The authorities concerned have been studying this problem and have decided to complete a new "Teachers' Manual" by the end of February.

In order to make the gist of the manual known to teachers as soon as possible, a policy has been adopted whereby the manual will be introduced by means of radio, newspapers, and magazines. Accordingly, it is expected that the teaching of the three courses which were banned will be realized around the middle of March.

Along with this, the education authorities are making haste to compile new textbooks. The "provisional textbooks" will be prepared in April, but the complete state textbooks will be completed in 1947 or 1948. As for morals, the examination for this course will be abolished, and the textbooks for pupils' and students' use will also be abolished.

Summary:

The body of a woman, found in the basement of the TOYOKO Department Store at 1-Chome, KAMI-Dori, SHIBUYA-Ken on 17 January, was identified as Miss SHINOKAWA, Tatsue, age 18, daughter of SHINOKAWA, Shingo, of 126, MISHUKU, SETAGAYA-Ku.

SOCIAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

According to an investigation by the Search Headquarters, Miss SHINOKAWA went to the SHIBUYA Station with a neighbor late on the evening of 30 October 1945 to obtain a train ticket for IIOKA, where she was going to buy potatoes. She thought she would have to spend the night at the Station to get the ticket and brought her clothing and food. Seeing a very long queue of people who wanted to buy tickets, her neighbor requested her to remain in the line and returned home. At 0600 on the next day her older brother Soichiro, age 21, went to the Station to see his sister, but failing to find her in the line, he thought that she had bought a ticket and returned home.

Since no one knew where she was, her family reported the matter to the police, requesting them to search for her. Miss Tatsue worked in the Sanitary Material Section of the Army at YOGA TAMAGAWA, SETAGAYA-Ku. She was very modest by nature, and had only 20 yen on her person, for the purchase of a ticket.

Full Translation:

The UNITED STATES authorities have loaned about 200 ships to the Japanese Government to help in the transportation of repatriates. The Transportation Ministry is devising measures to equip these ships, which are expected to be put into service by early March of this year. To ensure efficient transport in the ships, the Ministry is making efforts to secure crews, food, clothes, etc., and has put a plan before the Cabinet, after obtaining the approval of the Ministries of Finance, Commerce and Industry, Home, Agriculture and Forestry, and Welfare, to support the plan and co-operate actively. Thus the former term of four years for repatriation is shortened to two years.

The following items are stipulated according to the plan:

• 1.The Agriculture and Forestry Minister will take charge of securing food for the crews and repatriates, except for salt, sake, and tobacco, which the Finance Ministry will provide.
• 2.The Commerce and Industry Ministry will secure blankets and lifejackets.
• 3.The Welfare Ministry will concern itself with storage of the abovementioned goods at harbors, and the Transportation Ministry will give assistance.
• 4.Any exceptional goods which are included in the above-mentioned commodities will be secured by the Welfare Ministry with the co-operation of the Home Ministry.
• 5.The Home Ministry will give every assistance to secure the necessary ballast.
• 6.Straw mattresses and wooden planks will be furnished by the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, while nails and boilers will be obtained by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
• 7.The Ships' Affairs Association (SENPAKU-UNEIKAl) will take charge of sea transport, and the State will pay the expenses, with the Finance Ministry taking the necessary steps to ensure payment and loans.
• 8.The Second Demobilization Ministry will co-operate in matters concerning crews and necessary goods.
• 9.Every Ministry will give all assistance to the Transportation

- 2 -

SOCIAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Ministry in matters concerning equipment and repair of ships.

Full Translation:

Donations of money, land, building and lumber from the Imperial property has been permitted by General Headquarters.

A summary of the Imperial property to be donated follows: the HAKONE, HAMA and BUKO detached palaces; the land at those palaces valued at 14,861,809 yen; lumber, estimated at 34,474,498 yen; and 2,243,404 yen in cash. Distribution of retirement allowances amounting to 362,650 yen to 26 members was also permitted by General Headquarters, excepting that to Marquis KIDO, now in prison as a suspected war criminal.

Out of the Imperial purse 823,270 yen will be distributed among the families of deceased soldiers, and the rest will be given out as follows: (1) 189,000 yen to high-ranking officials in the Imperial Household Department and other Government Offices; (2) 180,000 yen to the low-ranking officials; (3) 35,000 yen to the Court ladies; (4) 70,000 yon to officials in the Imperial Household Department who have suffered as a result of the war; (5) 54,134 yen to various temples; (6) 210,500 yen to social welfare enterprises; (7) 58,000 yen to leprosariums.

Summary:

General MacARTHUR's Headquarters has reportedly issued a directive to the Japanese Government regarding the policemen's carrying revolvers and the police guards (KEIBITAI). With regard to the handling and disposal of this problem, the Metropolitan Police Board yesterday instructed all police stations under its jurisdiction to conduct themselves as stated below:

Approximately 2,000 revolvers are kept in custody by the Metropolitan Police authorities at present. These revolvers will be delivered to the police stations most in need of them. Patrolmen and those who go on night patrol, or on special watch, are to be supplied with these arms. Detectives, however, as a rule are not allowed to carry these weapons. They can use revolvers only when it is necessary to arrest criminals.

This means that the armament of policemen has been considerably strengthened, and the carrying of swords has consequently become useless. It is understood that prompt abolition of the carrying of swords is somewhat difficult because it is provided for by an Imperial Ordinance relating to policemen's uniform. Nevertheless, it is certain that it will be abolished in the future.

In view of the fact that among the policemen there are some who do not even know how to handle revolvers, the Metropolitan Police authorities are planning to begin the re-education of policemen shortly. Instruction in the use of the revolvers will be based on instructions from MacARTHUR's Headquarters, if such instructions are issued. For the time being, however, they will be allowed to use them in accordance with the existing "Police Officers, Use of Arms Regulations."

Referring to the police guards, the number of policemen who are attached to these guards amounts to approximately 2,500. A plan has

- 3 -

SOCIAL SERIES: 186 (Continued)

ITEM 5 (Continued)

been adopted to reallocate these policemen to the important police stations after the police guards are disbanded.

Summary:

The first conference of the All-JAPAN Teachers' Union (ZEN NIHON KYOIN KUMIAI) was held at KEIO University at 1000 on 19 January with more than 100 representatives present.

A concrete method of co-ordinating the various teachers' demands was discussed, and the prompt dissolution of the Great JAPAN Educators' Society (DAI NIHON KYOIKU KAI) was demanded, as well as a reformation of the present system of training teachers. At that meeting many stories of the plight of teachers were recounted. For example, a woman teacher resigned saving that her salary was less than the price of eggs laid by one hen; some teachers are suffering from malnutrition and say they cannot buy any food at exorbitant prices because their savings have been exhausted; some teachers are becoming black market dealers.

On the other hand, the TOKYO Metropolitan Branch of the Union raised opposition to the Metropolitan Educational Authorities, who are planning to reduce the number of teachers according to sex and age, and they demanded a 300 per cent increase in salary. On 28 January, a large number of teachers in the metropolitan areas, including approximately 1,000 teachers at TOSHIMA and SANTAMA Districts, will hold a demonstration.

DISTRIBUTION: "X"

- 4 -