Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0147, 1946-01-06.

Full Translation:

Two directives issued by SCAP on 4 January have great influence over our political circles. The Government is to hold an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on the afternoon of 5 January to discuss and decide on the Governmental attitude towards these directives. These two directives are more serious and extensive than the directive concerning the dismissal of the Home Minister arid officials related to police, and the abolition of special high polics, which caused the HIGASHIKUNI Cabinet to collapse. As a result of this directive, almost all the leading persons in the present political circles of JAPAN must be banished from official and public posts. So these directives exert very great influence on the political situation.

Chief Secretary of the Cabinet TSUGITA reported the contents of these directives at the cabinet round table conference on 4 January. After adjournment he visited Premier SHIDEHARA, who had been ill in bed at his private house at SETAGAYA, and had a talk with him on action regarding these directives. If we interpret these directives literally, there are many ministers who come under these directives in the SHIDEHARA Cabinet. Even if some of the ministers are saved by exceptional rules, strong political power will be needed by SHIDEHARA to carry out these directives. Therefore, the political situation faces a serious crisis.

If the SHIDEHARA Cabinet should resign in a body, it is a question whether the very man fit for facing this situation will be found and whether a better Cabinet will be organized, since the greater part of the leading persons have been removed by the directives. From this point of view, it may be said that the present political situation can not very well call for the SHIDEHARA Cabinet's resigning in a body. However, in order to tide over this crisis, the SHIDEHARA Cabinet must take concrete measures to strengthen its political power. Therefore, any change in the political situation during the next one or two days is worthy of notice.

Mr. Russell BRINES, Associated Press correspondent, commented on the influence of the directives issued by SCAP: "The Supreme Commander issued two directives to the Japanese Government, and paralyzed the Diet by banishing the leading politicians of the Japanese Government from political circles. Thus, the SHIDEHARA Cabinet has been dealt a fatal blow. Since the greatest, most extensive directives since the surrender of JAPAN have been issued, only positive measures will prolong the remaining days of the SHIDEHARA Cabinet. Hundreds of officials and politicians are in danger of dismissal by these directives.

"According to a Japanese newspaper's report, at least eight of the

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present 30 parties are led by former right wing officials. As the first and immediate effect, many leading candidates who stand for the conservative parties will be disqualified from candidature in the forthcoming general election. This change will make the standpoints of the parties, which had been oppressed by extensive political organs, advantageous, and decrease the obstinate influence of the "TOJO Diet" to a great extent. These directives deprive the Government of policies which have given such officials the post as Chokunin rank, such as Minister., bureau chief, and prefectural governor or higher posts, but do not interfere in the administrative organization of the Government.

"Five ministers of the present Cabinet were elected members of the Diet in the days of Premier TOJO and come under these directives. SCAP will strictly enforce the directives. Though I am not sure, this may mean a general resignation of the Government, and may bring before the public those who are enemies of democratization of JAPAN. These directives have given a firm answer to two questions which educated Japanese ask, namely, how can we get power to rid ourselves of officials, and how can we say that right wing persons will not get political power again by returning to political circles."

Summary:

To judge from some members of the Party who retired from active politics during the CHINA incident and the Great East ASIA War, and who did not fall under the former JAPAN Political Association, as did the Progressives, the Liberal Party has few members falling under the terms of the new Allied directive. Exceptions are ANDO, Seijun, director of the old JAPAN Political Association; USHIZUKA, Toratoro, who stands as director of the Association, and several others. Therefore, the Party will have no difficulty in going into operation and need not change its plans for the general election. President HATOYAMA considers the new MacARTHUR order to be a fair measure.

Full Translation:

President MACHIDA And Other Leaders Ordered Removed from the Political World.

The Progressive Party, which was proud of being the first party with more than 270 former members of the House of Representatives, has been abolished, and almost all its leaders have been forced to lose their positions.

According to the new directive, there has been, an investigation as to who was responsible for leaving the power of the Diet at the disposal of the militarists.

Since the Progressive Party was organized as successor to the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and the JAPAN Political Association, this Party is destined to have its top men swept away.

Only Secretary-general SAITO, Takao; YOSHIOKA, Yasoi; and Mr. KAWASAKI, Katsuzo, Chairman of the board of trustees, have been left. The directives of SCAP are not too clear concerning the regulations on the leaders of the Assistance Association, the Political Assistance

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Association, the JAPAN Political Association, and their local leaders. Taken broadly, the only leaders not to be removed are the above-mentioned three. On the other hand, it can be taken to mean that several members will go with the leaders. However, the President, the Chief Secretary; and other leaders are expected to lose their posts. Chief Secretary ISURUMI visited the private residence of President MACHIDA as soon as he learned of the directive and discussed remedial measures. The remaining members felt that future prospects of the Party were gloomy since there are no means of reconstructing the Party.

It was decided at the General Affairs Conference, held at Party headquarters at 1300 on 5 January, to give aid to the Party. The attitude of Messrs. MACHIDA and TSURUMI seemed to be that Mr. SAITO, Takao, who was the only one left with previous experience, would be recommended for Party President, expecially as it was desirable to maintain the background of the former organization.

It is obvious that the Progressive Party will be in a definitely un-favorable position in the forthcoming general election. There is little use in trying to prepare for the election, and the Party seems to be in a state of dissolution. The former members of the House of Representatives, who have been prohibited from running as election candidates, are now intending to hand over their constituencies to other members of the Party.

Business dealings in constituencies are taking place between former members and the persons concerned in electoral districts.

On entering the speaker's official residence at HIRAKAWA-Cho, our reporter found the place too still. Speaker TOKUGAWA was not in, but Chief Secretary KOBAYASHI was there warning himself at an electric stove. To the question "Did you hear anything about the directive" he replied, "Nothing".

He went on to remark, "It sounds like self justification, but on the whole the House of Peers was not so positive about the war, so that it was always criticized as lukewarm. Anyway, as most of them are old men, they were hoping for a speedy and of the war. However, woe unto those who dared oppose the way so the most they did was whisper in twos and threes. The House has already expelled 30 war criminal suspects who, while they were not active as members, moved according to their respective outside connections. What will become of the House by the directive, you ask. I cannot say anything."

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