CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939 — Page 109

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In such cases, however, an appeal will lie

or an action may be brought in an administrative

court (Article 20).

This is an entirely

4.

novel feature of the bill, there having

previously been no means of redreas in cases

where religious bodies felt that they were

being unfairly treated by the authorities.

(6)

Provision is made for the appointment

of superintendent priests (in the case of

Shinto or Buddhist seats), directors (in the

case of denominations), superiors (in the case

of churches) and also for the appointment,

from amongst the "believers" belonging to a

(Buddhist) temple or church, of official

"representatives", whose duty it is to be to

assist those responsible for its management (Artiolee 4, 7 and 8).

(7)

Penal clauses providing for the

punishment of persons who have infringed certain

of the regulations governing religious bodies

are included (Articles 36 to 28).

In introducing the measure in the

House of Feers the Minister of Education (General Araki)

dwelt on the necessity for its passage with a view to

the sound development of religion, especially at a

time when the country was faced with an emergency such

as the China "incident".

Existing laws and regu-

lations relating to religion were, he said, vague

and/