Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0187, 1946-01-22.

This is a story of how an evil act affects the minds of a majority ^f the people. In the confusion at the war's end a lieutenant of KAWAUCHI-Mura, ITANO-Gus, TOKUSHIMA-Ken carried a large quantity of military goods into his own house. Furthermore, he refused to offer rice to the Government on the pretext of a poor crop in spite of the fact that he had more than three chorbu of farmland.

Observing these evil acts many farmers in his village thought "Honesty pays nothing". Thus, such a misconception prevailed over the entire village. As a result, the quantity of rice offered to the Government from the village was very small in spite of the full offering made during the war.

Summary:

In order to correct the defects in the existing entrance examination system for secondary schools, a revision of the examination method is planned by tin prefectural authorities in ISHIKAWa-Ken, and they have organized an examination committee to deal with this problem.

It is presumed that the revision will entail the revival of written examinations. In the existing system the report of the rational school master plays the greatest part in deciding who is to be admitted. On occasions national school misters have made false reports after being bribed. The new method will probably consist of both written and oral examinations, with reports for reference.

A revision is also planned in the present school ward system whereby the examinations will all be held on the same day. The school ward system is to be abolished except in the KANAZA[illegible]A, ISHIKAWA, AND KAHOKU wards. Private schools will have a later date for their examinations than the prefectural ones.

Extracts:

War criminal TOJO, former Prime Minister head recently revealed his frame of mind in several letters to his wife Mrs. TOJO, Katsu, who is now living in retirement at KAWASAKI, TAGOWA - Gun, FUKUOKA Prefecture. His letters, in original text, read as follows:

5 December 45 - I am very grateful to the UNITED STATES Army for its fair treatment in exonerating me from the false accusation that I received ten million yen and the house at YOGA as a gift from the financial clique.

SOCIAL SERIES: 187 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

To tell the truth, I was very sad and indignant when I read the article concerning myself in the press. I am glad to be on trial for the peace and happiness of the world, but why does society try to ruin a man by circulating such groundless reports? As one who has had the honor of being trusted by His Majesty. I never dreamed that I should be suspected by the Nation of such a thing. Is it not but to wound the pride of the Nation itself? However, of late I have cane to think that it is because I worry so much about public opinion that I have become so sad and indignant.

Didn't I always preach "Never trust in man, but in heaven", or "If I am in the right, I am not afraid of millions of opponents"? I am much ashamed of my lack of culture. I have now understood well what is meant by the saying "Man will be trained in the school of adversity," and I now feel the happiness of adversity. I hope my children will also experience this feeling. I am only sorry that my family should be hurt on account of me.

December 1945 - As I was being removed from OMORI to SUGOMO on the 8th, I passed FURUKAWABASHI, SHIBUYA, and OKOBO. I was very grateful when I was reminded of the days when I lived in these places. I was fortunate enough to pass in front of the MEIJI Shrine, and I made a bow of homage in the car.

No remarkable rehabilitation has been seen along the way. Only shelters that were filled with earth again attracted my eyes. Being reminded of the citizens' life as the weather becomes colder from day to day, I couldn't help sympathizing with them. By the way, all kinds of presents to the prisoners, such as food, cigarettes, etc. have now been prohibited.

The above two letters are written by ex-Prime Minister TOJO. In addition, there are several poems which he composed in prison:

"God will not forgive the crime which I committed, The most glorious and ancient State, I have destroyed".

"Woe to me, to criminal me, the prosperous State is ruined by me."

"Remember, remember, His Majesty the Emperor, Isn't His Majesty, from time of old, The prop and stay of state and people?"

The last poem was composed by TOJO when he heard that the Emperor System was being discussed.

Summary:

Cries for the democratization of the police are being raised in earnest among policemen themselves throughout the country, and as the first step towards its realization the staff of the Metropolitan Police Office have presented a petition demanding the democratization of the police service and improvement in treatment. This was followed by similar attempts by the staffs of the TOTSUKA and IKEBUKURO Police Offices. The effect of what they have done is considered to be very important.

The following is a joint statement of three policemen of the IKEBUKURO Police Office. "With the termination of the war, we have become the focus of popular attacks. It is a natural consequence of the mal[illegible]administration it the past, which has, however, been carried out by us, in strict conformirty with the State laws and regulations, on orders of our superiors. We have never done it of our own accord. We sincerely apologize to the people. We are now prepared to co-operate with them for the reconstruction of a new JAPAN. Police reform must be effected in two phases:

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SOCIAL SERIES: 187 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

"First -Reform off the police in its attitude toward the general public. We are often told that, once detained, people are likely to have a hatred for the police all their lives. Hereafter, we hope they will be released, fully conscious of their offen[illegible], with a bright hope for their future. We also hope that, instead of assuming a cowardly attitude by bowing and bobbing in asking the way at the police station, people come to police boxes light heartedly and say, "Please tell me the way."

"Second - Democratization of the internal business management and the structure of the police. In order to realize the first, the democratization of the second is absolutely necessary. People say the police are similar to the army and we think so too. Volunteers who enroll under the influence of propaganda, were apt to curse the reality which was so far from their expectations. Similarly, we very often curse the police system. Though they are not so particular now, we are scolded for the unconscious omission of salutes and are asked by patrolling superiors to present a written explanation for sitting on chairs while on standing duty. Most of us are dumbfounded and unable to utter even a word in the presence of the Chief of the Office and line privates always flinching under the fierce gaze of their officers."

"Our superiors are able leaders in the maintenance of security and are like kind brothers and fathers. We call them superiors. To be recognized by them, however, we must have good records of arrests, the number of which affects our bonus and promotion. If a model policeman, faithful to his duty, establishes good security in his beat, thus having less need to make arrests, he will ironically be rewarded by a delay of promotion as compared with his comrades who are not so faithful. Superiors seen to prefer subordinates having records of many arrests, even if they be unpopular, to such model policemen. We are actually treated as privates are by their superiors in the army. "Hey, just minute." This [illegible]policemen's tone is the natural outcome of the feudal tendency. In the matter of shoes supplied by the head office, preference is given to superiors, and the remainder are distributed among us by lots. Policemen hoping to pass higher civil service examinations cannot generally expect favorable treatment from their superiors. When we present our opinions, they will be transmitted upward, sucessively, from the junior to the senior supervisors, but most of them will be shelved on the way before reaching the senior officer. We hope to wipe out such feudalistic methods.

"Simultaneaously, we want to have our treatment improved. We feel keenly our living difficulties by which we are driven to a miserable plight, with no guarantee of basic standards of living, while were charged with heavy responsibilities. We believe the key to increasing police efficiency lies in the improvement of their treatment."

Another movement has arisen in the Metropolitan Police Office for police democratization and abolition of the traditional feudalism. Cries raised by Mr. ICHIKAWA, police-sergeant, have called for the various responses, while superiors have not failed to take steps to hush up the matter. There are many supporters for the movement and they are going to draft concrete demands after discussions between representatives from various police offices. Mr. ICHIKAWA said: "I am busy now as my work to prepare for the payment of salaries due on 21 January. I cannot neglect my duty as an official, so I am unable to lead the movement actively until 27 January. I am a dead stone. I think it better that I should be replaced by a more able leader to be found among those interested in the movement."

However, the atmosphere in the Metropolitan Police Office is comparatively calm and the prevailing feeling among the staff is the consciousness of their important official duties. They are going to attain their demands while still faithfully discharging their duties.

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SOCIAL SERIES: 187 (Continued)

ITEM 4 (Continued)

In this connection the Chief of the Police Department of the Metropolitan Police Office made the following statement on 19 January. "I have heard of the movements started by some of the policemen, but I cannot tolerate an attitude which aims at the attainment of their demands by forming themselves into a group for negotiation. For that reason the labor union law prohibits policemen from forming unions. Improvement of police treatment and police democratization are now matters of self-evident importance I am doing my best, and deliberations are now going on actively in a committee of those concerned. We are also endeavoring to materialize police democratization, both of its numbers and of its system.

Summary:

About 4000 vagrants were given aid during the four months from October 1945 to January 1946. The majority of vagrants are in good health and are earning their living as laborers on construction projects of the Occupation [illegible]in cleaning the spaces which are used as black markets. The vagrants who had been gathering at the UENO Shimbon are decreasing day by day.

There are an increasing number of repatriates and demobilized veterans, however, who are destitute of lodgings and jobs. The Welfare Bureau of TOKYO decided to establish an Aid Consulting Institute (KYUSA[illegible]SODANSHO) and to increase the number of lodging houses, aiming at effective aid to vagrants and others with the co-operation of the civil aid and welfare organizations.

The largest number of vagrants to spend the night at the UENO Station is 300, and 60 to 70 others take shelter at the SHINJUKU and SHIMBASHI stations. The welfare section will open the A[illegible]di Consulting Institute at UENO Station and will give aid to vagrants and repatriates. The former Consulting Institute for Repatriates and Demobilized Veterans will be merged with this new Institute. The members of the Welfare Bureau and the SHITAKA-Ku office, doctors and nurses will always be on duty.

Several new lodging houses will be opened shortly and already 63, persons has been accomodated at a domitory of the Welfare Association (KOSEI KYOKAI) since 17 January, 10 persons at the MEGURO Welfare Domitory (MEGURO, KOSEIRYO), and 150 in the former YANAGAWA National School at FUKAGAWA. The majority of them are employed by the Occupation Forces. Two more lodging houses will be established in SHINJUKU AND ASAKUSA.

Child vagrants will be accomodated at the Children's Protection Institute (JIDO HOGOSH) which will be built at TOSHIMA

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