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Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0214, 1946-01-31.
translation-number: social-1049
call-number: DS801 .S84
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS
ALLIED TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETRE SECTION
PRESS TRANSLATIONS
No. 1049 Date: 31 Jan 46
SOCIAL SERIES: 214
ITEM 1 Social Work in MIYAGI-Ken - Provincial Newspaper Kahoku Shimpo. (Sendai) -
27 Jan 46. Translator: M. Ohno.
Summary:
A conference to discuss the management of social work was held on 25 January at CHOSEI-EN
House of SENDAI-Shi. MIYAGI Prefectural Governor, CHIBA; Prefectural Sectional Chief,
NOMURA; Chief of the Social Section of the same Prefecture, MORI; a prosecutor, HAYASHI;
Chief of the welfare Section of the SENDAI Municipal Office, SUZUKI; head of the CHOSEIEN
House, KUNIYASU; and 30 others attended.
Many opinions on how to meet the vicious social circumstances were heard at the meeting.
CHIBA said, "A relief fund amounting to 200,000,000 yen was distributed to various
prefectures throughout the country. The allotment to MIYAGI-Ken was 2,580,000 yen.
On this occasion, I intend to supply the poor people with daily necessaries. As the
establishment
of public lodging, dining rooms, public boths and barber shops requires an expenditure
of about 7,000,000 yen, the Prefectural Social Work Association (KEN SHAKAI JIGYO
KYOKAI) is
considering the matter. I want the enforcement of social work to be conducted mainly
by civilians, while Government officials will assist them."
PISONNETO said, "As soon as the American Troops came to this place, they gave large
quantities of goods to the orphanage. They think those acts are only ordinary ones."
OHSAKA said, "Among delinquent boys, there are many weak-minded ones and idiots.
These boys must be specially protected. However, there are no houses to accommodate
them."
ITEM 2 Distribution of War Surplus Goods in NAGANO-Ken - Provincial Newspaper Shinano
Mainichi Shimbun (Nagano), 28 Jan 46. Translator: Y. Akabane.
Summary:
Instructions were issued to deliver to the people of NAGANO Prefecture as promptly
as possible the war materials returned by the Allied Forces, but due to the difficulty
in
transportation coupled with the slow action of the distribution organs, delivery to
the people has not been satisfactory, and these materials are now being heaped up
in various
provincial warehouses, Aside from their being the object of envy by the local residents,
they are now heightening the peopled suspicions about the uncertaining of distribution
methods, as there are a number of cases of theft owing to the imperfect methods of
storage and supervision. The prefectural authorities are now going to encourage distribution
organs anew, stimulated by repeated instinctions from the Home Ministry demanding
speedy distribution, and voices are crying for fair and prompt delivery.
The following are the conditions of storage of these materials in NAGANO Prefecture:
SOCIAL SERIES 214 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
a. Rape-seed oil, etc., in NISHICHICUMA-Gun:
In the fields near the public hall and national schools in the village of NARAI,
about 9,000 cans of rape-seed oil and 8,470 cans of machine oil - each of 18 litres
- are laying
idle, making the people envious. This is in addition to over 65,000 kilolitres of
other types of oil in drums. The oil is exposed to robbery every night and police
are posted to
guard the oil.
b. Japanese soybean sauce and Miso in KITAAZUMI-Gun:
There are sanitary materials still awaiting distribution, though a part of them will
be distributed by the JAPAN veterinary society and the JAPAN horse society; the remainder
will
be distributed by the prefectural agricultural association. Clothing and leather in
the town of IKEDA are being disposed of by a local distribution agency. Moreover,
236 barrels of
Japanese soybean sauce, 1,290 boxes of dried Miso (bean-mash) and 128 barrels of dried
plum pickles are now in NANAKI-Mura awaiting distribution, while 270 boxes of food
and 427
boxes of nutritious food are to be sent to the Occupation Forces.
c. MATSUMOTO and its neighboring districts:
In these districts there were many military warehouses scattered in various sections
with enormous quantities of war-materials such as soya beans, Kaoliang, clothing,
paper,
construction materials, automobile parts, gasoline, etc. A portion of these materials
was concealed by villagers and other unauthorized parties and partly disposed of illegally;
but with the arrival of the Occupation Forces, concealed materials were discovered
and delivered to the prefectural authorities for proper distribution. The supervision
of
materials still remaining in storage is being entrusted to town or village offices
but there are frequently thefts, and the police are posted to guard these goods.
d. MINAMI AZUMI-Gun:
A large quantity of foodstuffs are in storage in these districts and a part has already
been delivered through regular channels; the remainder will be distributed by the
end of
March. Moreover, there is still a pretty large amount of veterinary materials stored
in warehouses of several brewing companies, awaiting legal disposition.
e. KAMIINA-Gun:
About 15,000 Kan of ammonia sulphate are in custody in several places. Prefectural
agricultural associations are consulting with the authorities concerned as to their
disposal. If
they are released, farmers will be greatly convenienced. There are many straw-bags,
rope, and straw mats stored in farmers warehouses infested with rats. It is rumored
that 90
bales of rice and a certain quantity of canned beef, salt, and Japanese soybean sauce,
as well as 800 pairs of gum boots, were hidden in a warehouse in INA-Machi in October
by a
certain army officer.
f. KITASAKU:
No largo stores of concealed war materials are formed here since almost all of them
have been discovered and duly disposed of already, though there are still minor eases
of
offences regarding their delivery and disposition.
- 2 -
SOCIAL SERIES: 214 (Continued)
ITEM 2 (Continued)
g. SUWA-Gun:
30 tons of sugar, 14,000 boxes of canned oranges, each containing 4 dozens, and a
large quantity of dry broad and miscellaneous cereals are in storage, attracting the
attention of
the people. Sugar will shortly be sent to MATSUMOTO for distribution. It is believed
that some concealed materials have yet to be discovered, though the quantity may not
be
large.
h. SHIMOTAKAI-Gun:
Cotton and cotton thread amounting to 8,000 Kan, woolen blankets, silk, and various
valuable medical materials still remain stored in warehouses in this locality.
i. CHIISAGATA-Gun:
About 6,000 blankets, 3,500 pairs of socks, 2,000 pairs of pants and 2,000 canteens
are in storage in several warehouses in the city of UEDA. As there is a danger of
rats and
thieves, the local officers are hoping to dispose of them as soon as possible.
j. In the other Gun in NAGANO Prefecture, the materials in question have been or
are being disposed of by proper methods, although there may be some cases of illegal
distribution.
ITEM 3 Laborers Pay Law and Minimum Wage Bill - Yomiuri Kochi - 30 Jan 46. - Translator:
M. Ohno.
Summary:
In consideration of the current vicious inflation and the contradictions in the existing
Wage Control Law (CHINGIN TOSEI REI) and the Company's Management Control Law (KAISHA
KEIRI
TOSEI REI), the Government is making efforts to draw up a now draft called the Laborer's
Pay Law (KINRO SHA KYUYOHO).
However, the price of commodities has soared on a large-scale since the termination
of the war, causing various labor disputes. These facts show that the revision of
the existing
Wage Control Law is an urgent matter. To meet this, the Central Wage Committee (CHUO
CHINGIN IINKAI) has been deliberating on the problem of the wage increase, and on
28 January a
definite plan, called the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill (SAITEI CHINGIN KAISEI AN),
was drawn up. According to the Bill, the monthly minimum income of a man between 30
and 50 years
of age who is head of a household is 450 yen, and that of a woman between 20 and 40
years of age, is 150 yen. Points of the bill are as follows:
| A fixed scale of minimum wages is secured. |
| The new system of wages will become the basis of the Laborer's Pay, Law which is expected to be submitted at the forthcoming Diet session. |
| If the Government does not take suitable steps to stop the current vicious inflation, this minimum wage system will become meaningless; and furthermore, production and efficiency bonuses which are to be fixed by the new Laborer's Pay Law will become impossible. |
| With the ten-fold raise in rages, a clause to the effect that the Government shall take prompt action to lower the prices of perishable foods is included in the Bill. |
This shows that the Central Wage Committee is reproaching the Government for its
insincerity. These points caused considerable dissension at the meeting of the committee.
Details
on the Bill are as follows:
- 3 -
SOCIAL SERIES: 214 (Continued)
ITEM 3 (Continued)
Minimum Wage Amendment Bill
A. Extent of Application:
As a rule, all laborers to whom the existing Wage Control Law applies shall be covered.
A new rule to except from this Bill laborers on probationary employment for less than
60
days shall be added.
B. Minimum Wages:
(1) Male Laborers.
Ages: Zone:
| A | B | C | D | E | |
| Less than 16 years old: | 2.00 yen | 1.80 yen | 1.60 yen | 1.40 | 1.00 yen |
| 16 to 20 years old:4.00 | 4.00 yen | 3.60 yen | 3.20 yen | 2.80 yen | 2.00 yen |
| 20 to 25 years old: | 7.00 yen | 6.30 yen | 5.60 yen | 4.90 yen | 3.50 yen |
| 25 to 30 years old: | 12.00 yen | 10.80 yen | 9.60 yen | 8.40 yen | 6.00 yen |
| 30 to 50 years old: | 18.00 yen | 16.20 yen | 14.40 yen | 12.60 yen | 9.00 yen |
(2) Female laborers:
| Less than 16 years old: | 2.00 yen | 1.80 yen | 1.60 yen | l.40 yen | 1.00 yen |
| 16 to 20 years old: | 4.00 yen | 3.60 yen | 3.20 yen | 2.80 yen | 2.00 yen |
| 20 to 40 years old: | 6.00 yen | 5.40 yen | 4.80 yen | 4.20 yen | 3.00 yen |
The above is the minimum daily wage for eight hours of actual labor. For each hour
exceeding the eight hours there will be added a sum corresponding to one-eighth of
the above;
additional time less than 30 minutes will not be counted, while time exceeding 30
minutes shall be calculated as one hour, In the case of a one-hour wage system, one-eighth
of the
above shall be considered one hour's minimum wage. In the case of a monthly pay system,
the above sum multiplied by 25 shall be the monthly minimum salary. In the case of
a
piece-rate system, the minimum wage shall be derided similarly to the one hour system.
Concerning the different minimum wages in different zones the Prefectural Governors
shall decide suitable wages in consultation with the provincial wage committee, in
accordance
with the various circumstances in the city, town or village.
The payment of non-absentee allowances, regular attendance allowances, payment in
kind, and bonuses etc., shall be included in the scope of this Bill. The estimation
system for
payment in kind shall be abolished.
Relation With Other Wage Control Laws.
With the enforcement of this minimum wage law the maximum Starting Wage Law, the
maximum Wage Law, restrictions on the total earned income, and other regulations such
as these
shall be abolished. Unreasonably high wages shall be controlled by Clause 13 of the
Wage Control Law which will be drawn up by the Wage Committee. The Company Management
Control
Law regulating the salaries of company officers shall be revised.
Remarks: In view of the social changes caused by living costs and so forth, the minimum
wage may be properly justified.
Additional resolutions:
| The Government shall take prompt, concrete steps to lower the prices of perishable
foods. - 4 - |
|
SOCIAL SEREIS: 214 (Continued) ITEM 3 (Continued) |
| The Government shall make efforts to equalize the prices of manufactured goods with the new wage standards. The Government shall also take suitable steps to check the rise in prices caused by the unjust calculation of capital expenditure. |
| With the revision of the minimum wage law, the Government shall take suitable steps to protect the unemployed. |
DISTRIBUTION: "X"
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