Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0262, 1946-02-02.
Date2 February, 1946
translation numberpolitical-1075
call numberDS801 .S85
Persistent Identifier
POLITICAL SERIES: 262
ITEM 1 The Course of the Democratic Front in JAPAN. Discussion Meeting of Messrs. MOZAKA, KATAYAMA, and ARAHATA Mainichi Shimbun 31 January 1946. Translator: N. Tachibana.
Summary:
Part II
Chairman: "The present Communist Party has not clearly claimed proletarian dictatorship
and the abolition of private property.
The Liberal and Progressive Parties seem to feel that its principal tenets must behidden
from its platform. Therefore some
people say that if the Communist Party reveals its principal stand, the organization
of the democratic front may be promoted
by mutual understanding".
Mr. KATAYAMA, Tetsu: "Just so. There are many doubts about the relatic between proletarian
dictatorship and the Diet and the
concrete way of realizing a socialistic or a communistic society, etc. The central
executive committee of the Social
Democratic Party on 16 January had some doubts about these problems."
Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo: "The Communist Party will soon issue a statement about them, but
I think it possible that each party can
co-operate with the others in solving the present problems even if it maintains its
own practical point of view."
Mr. ARAHATA, Kanson: "I agree with Mr. NOZAKA. Indeed, the agreement on a party platform
may be premature as Mr. KATAYAMA
says, but it is possible that the Communist and Social Democratic Parties may find
a point of agreement by discussing policies
at the joint committee. This method will speed up the maturity of the party policies.
Mr. KATAYAMA: "However, the Socialist and Communist Parties were formerly too competitive
on the labor problem and tenancy
troubles."
Mr. KOZAKA: "Even now?"
Mr. KATAYAMA: "Yes, but not so severe as before. Both parties disagree on the principle
of organizing labor unions, tactics
and the methods of solution. Therefore a fundamental reconciliation is difficult without
an adequate definition if the meaning
of a labor union is such and such under the guidance of the Social Democratic Party,
and such and such under that of the
Communist Party. For example, the Social Democratic prefers to proceed gradually from
labor management to workers'
participation in the enterprise, and from capitalistic management to socialistic one.
The Communist Party is leading workers
to claim their own management of companies and factories or to demand five or tenfold
increase in pay. Such guidance will
lead
POLITICAL SERIES: 262 (Continued)
ITEM 1 (Continued)
to sabotage of enterprise. So it is dangerous to co-operate with the Communist Party
aimlessly."
Mr. ARAHATA: "In foreign countries there are precedents for organization of the democratic
front and the keeping of the
independent views of each party. I think it is unnecessary to doubt that the Communist
Party may conceal something".
Mr. KATAYAMA "I want to be well acquainted with a partner to co-operate with him."
Mr. ARAHATA: "You have only to know the Communist Party. You can learn from books
that they aim at revolution by force or
proletarian dictatorship. The Progressive and Liberal Parties seem to aim at a re[illegible]val of
capitalism, but if they want to co-operate with us in order to save the present JAPAN,
there is no reason why the Communist
and Social Democratic Parties must refuse it."
Mr. KATAYAMA: "I know that the Progressive and Liberal Parties aim at revival of
capitalism. That is why I do not want to
co-operate with them. Since there is a feeling of unrest as regards the future, I
want to take deliberate measures for
national prosperity. I think it best to take advantage of the general election."
Mr. ARARATA: "Mr. KATAYAMA seems to be under the misunderstanding that the Communist
and Social Democratic Parties were united
in one body. I mean that both parties can co-operate in solving the present problems
within the limits of agreed platforms or
policies."
Mr. KATAYAMA: "Of course, I know that quite well, but I belive it best to solve the
food problems and others through the
principles, platforms and policies of my party".
Mr. NOZAKA: "If we were living in peaceful days, it would be necessary to use prudence.
However, we must overcome the
difficulties of the people immediately whether or not the general election be carried
out. Although your policy may differ
from ours, the best method is one or the other. If yours is best, we will agree to
yours. If ours is best, I want you to agree
to ours. It is better to make the best one with co-operation if possible. This problem
is not relative to the general election
at all, so I believe it most necessary to set about solving the present problems immediately
by organizing a joint committee
or something like that apart from the election."
Mr. KATAYAMA: "The election is one of our best opportunities. If many communists
are elected to the House, everyone will know
the contents and methods of what you call a "loved" party and the platform will be
improved. Of course, I feel keenly the
necessity for the united democratic front to solve urgent problems, but I believe
it necessary to give time for the
conditions, methods and preparations."
Mr. ARAHATA: "It is necessary to organize a joint committes even for the general
election. If both parties do not make
arrangements for the election beforehand, they must contest in the same constituency
and consequently may be separated. If Mr.
KATAYAMA and everyone else wants to combine both parties at the time of the general
election, I think the arrangements for the
election are necessary."
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POLITICAL SERIES: 262 (Continued)
ITEM 1 (Continued)
Mr. NOZAKA: "I agree with Mr. ARAHATA, but there are two months before the election.
How are you to deal with the urgent
problems during that period? It is too late after the election."
Hr. KATAYAMA: "The past political mud-flinging contests do not exist now. It is clear
that fair play will be performed without
a joint committee or arrangements. The Social Democratic Party respects fair play."
Mr. KOZAKA: "However, if the Communist and Social Democratic Parties be sat up in
opposition, votes will be scattered. It is
not advantageous to either party."
ITEM 2 The Change in the Central Liatoon Office - Mainichi Shimbun - 1 February 1946. Translator: S. Sano.
Extracts:
Owing to the resignation of Mr. KODAMA, Kenji, the President of the Central Liaison
Office, who was liable under the purge
directive, the Government appointed Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, Shigeru concurrently
to that positon.
Premier SHIDEHARA, proceeded to the Imperial Palace to report privately to the Emperor
at 16:00 on 31 January, and the
ceremony of installation by His Majesty was held at 17:15 on the same day. As the
successor to vice-president NISHIYAMA, Mr.
KANO, Kuro, former manager of the LONDON branch of the YOKOHAMA Specie. Bank, was
appointed on the same day. Appointed as
President of the Central Liaision Office, Foreign Minister YOSHIDA, Shigeru Appointed
as vice president of the Central
Liaision Office—-Viscount KANO, Kuro.
ITEM 3 Home Ministry Ordinance Regarding the Qualification of Applicants. Mild Attitude Toward War Criminals - Mimpo - 2 February 1946. Translator: R. Ochiai.
Full Translation:
A Home Ministry ordinance regarding the qualification of candidates for the coming
general election was promulgated on 30
January. According to it, an applicant must submit to a prefectural governor a copy
of his personal history since 1 January,
1931 (which is the year when the Manchurian Incident broke out) and by this copy,
he must make sure that he does not come
under the categories of the recent MaCARTHUR directives which pureed militarists and
war criminals from candidature.
Details must include: history of applicant's profession and military affairs since
1931; relations with the Imperial Rule
Assistance Association, the I. R. A. Young men's Corps, the I. R. A. Political association
and the Political Association of
Great JAPAN: his connection with other social or militaristic organizations ; positions
given the applicant by such
organizations; and books and articles written and speaches delivered since 1931. Since
these are the requirements of an
applicant, optimistic war criminal candidates must be much surprised.
However, we are not allowed to take things easy because, although prchil ited from
ruling themselves, they are sure to have
their followers come forth instead of them. Moreover, it is very strange that war
criminals still have the franchise although
they have no qualifications for election Unless we deprive them of all their civil
rights and evict them from all public
positions, their activity does not come to an end. It is absurd that the Progressive,
the Liberals and some others who come
under the c[illegible]egories of the "purge" directive are still taking an active part in political
circles.
DISTRIBUTION "X"
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