Press translations [Japan]. Social Series 0233, 1946-02-07.

Full Translation:

Notwithstanding that six months have passed since the end of the war, no reliable information about the fate of our countrymen abroad has been reported, and we know only of a few men who have returned home.

The national movement for their relief has already begun in KYUSHU, YAMAGUCHI Ken and NAGANO Ken, and the Society for the Promotion of Repatriation and Evacuation has been established under the direction of the social Democrats and Communists. It is a co-operative association of groups having common principles namely, JAPAN Seamen's Association for the improvement of treatment of repatriated seamen, students' relief movements for their parents and brothers abroad, and relief for the returning Japanese made by the Workers Relief Association (KINRO SHA SEIKATSU ENGO KYOKAI), and the movement for hastening the homecoming of Koreans made by the Korean People's League (CHOSENJIN REMMEI).

It is reported that the society will hold its first general meeting in the near future and intend to expand its influence over the whole nation. Owing to the joint plans and co-operative assistance in repatriation and evacuation, its movements are attracting the publics attention.

The solution to this problem, however, involves the question of transportation, the investigation of the real conditions of Japanese abroad, the conveyance of food and clothing to them and the problem of their employment. For the successful operation of this movement we must watch and encourage the Government. At the round-table conference of the political parties on 2 February held for the same purpose, no Government official attended considering Governmental participation as premature, but its indifferent attitude to this problem does not favorably impress the nation.

Summary:

We are running short of medicines, especially good medicines essential for the nation's health. These medicines number 1,000 and the materials necessary for their manufacture number several thousands. Many of the materials are manufactured. Under chemical synthesis, and therefore the manufacture of medicines is dependent upon the development of the chemical industry, which, under present circumstances, is very difficult to realize. The following are a few of the reasons for the present shortage:

1) Medicines of the tar family are scarce because they are made from coal and fuel materials. 2) Salt and oil medicines are scarce because

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they belong to the sods or acid families. As for well known medicines, a shortage of starch is responsible for the small production of aspirin, grape-sugar, and diastase. The present manufacturing capacity for aspirin is as high as 1,000 tons. However, the actual results attained in the past are shown in the following table:

Aspirin requires only a few materials for its manufacture, whereas most medicines use over ten materials. Thus, an absolute shortage of materials for medicines can be covered only by the development of the chemical industries; and this can be encouraged by giving an additional distribution of rice to those who are engaged in medicine production.

Full Translation:

Small pox is now rampant in NAGOYA. The cases so far reported number 222, of which 163 are confirmed and the rest are suspected cases. Moreover, eruptive typhus is also rife and 29 cases have already broken out, of which 11 are confirmed and the rest are suspected cases.

Summary:

In accordance with the directive issued by General MacARTHUR's Headquarters regarding the abolishment of licensed prostitution, a system which is considered to be a relic of a feudalistic system of slavery, unsuitable for a new democratic JAPAN - the Home Ministry has decided to issue shortly an ordinance announcing the abrogation of all the regulations concerned. As a result, more than 10,000 licensed prostituties throughout the country will be set free. The problems, however, which win naturally occur after their liberation are also just as important. It is anticipated that private prostitutes will become numerous, even if the licensed prostitutes cease to exist, so long as the present social situation remains unimproved. It might also be senseless, if these liberated women should become street girls. Regarding this the Home Ministry authorities are worried and are considering measures. No outstanding plan however, has so for recommended itself.

In view of the "public morals" the Metropolitan Police authorities are planning to limit the place of business for these private prostitutes to 5 districts such as YOSHIWASA, SENJU, SHINJUKU, etc. so as to put them under control. The materialization of this plan, however, is doubtful.

Referring to the "problems of private prostitutes" which will occur following the abolishment of licensed prostitution, Miss YAMAMURO, Tamiko, the Director of the welfare Bureau of the JAPAN Christian Bro therhood, states as follows:

"I think it is unavoidable that private prostitutes will become prevalent in this transition period. It is necessary, however, to lesser the tendency by imposing strict controls without leaving the matter untouched as one of those unevitable social evils. For this purpose it is urgently essential to establish, along with the above control,

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a womens' home, where these girls can rest their exhausted bodies and souls as a shelter until they start a new life. Also an inquiry office for giving these girls a chance to find a decent job, and an organization to give them vocational guidance are necessary.

"I am opposed to fixing limited quarters for these girls, with such places established, even married men might visit them. And young, men also might be attracted to visit them by curiosity at first, then they might go too far due to their ignorance. Other girls might find such places to get easy money by degrading themselves in case of extreme need. As a matter of fact I am worried and fear that such a trend is on the increase at present.

"From a prophylactic viewpoint the control of venereal diseases will be difficult without fixed quarters. The present medical examinations, however, is too formal. The men who transmit the diseases from woman to woman are not the objects of control. Under such a system how can expect perfect results.

"From a purpose sexual education should be thoroughly considered. As for the problems of private prostitutes it depends more on the self-respect of men than on that of women, I think."

Full Translation:

The reappearance of the Institute for the study of the Science of Labor (ROEO KAGAKU KENKYUJO) was announced by the OSAKA-Fu Commerce and Industry Economic Society (SHOKO KEIZAI KAI) on 5 February. The Institute was one which had been dissolved since October 1940 with the establishment of the Greater Japan Industrial Patriotic Society (DAIINIHON SANGYO HOKOKUKAI) - A plan to hold lectures on controlling production and to establish a'Sceince of Labor University' is under way.

The officials of the Institute are as follows:

President: TERUTOSHI, Yoshito. Directors: ISHIWATARI, Shintare; OMURA, Seiichi; SASAMURA, Tatsumi; SUZUKI, Shigesaburo; SUGIYAMA, Motojiro; MATSUOKA, Komakichi; MATSUOTO, Juji; MORI, Hideoto; AKAMATSU, Tsuneko. Business Head: UNO, Kyukichi.

Extracts:

It is announced by the TOKYO Railway Bureau that a registration system will be adopted for preventing false commuters after March. The method of registration will be for a representative of every employer to make a list of commuters and apply to the nearest station or the Travel Bureau with other necessary documents for application and certification. A certificate of living away from one's work and the commodities distribution book for proving ones' residence are necessary for commuter as before when they get a season ticket.

A commuter cannot get his season ticket at any station other than the station other than the registered or the Travel Bureau, and he must always carry a certificate showing the stations he uses.

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