CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939 — Page 110

135

and fragmentary; they were inclined, too, to

lead to doubts as to the proper way in which

they should be applied; and there were many legal

inconsistencies which impeded the healthy

development of religious bodies and their cultural

activities. It was very necessary that an end

should be put to such an unsatisfactory state of

affairs.

5.

The measure was not accepted by the

House of Peers without amendment, the most

important change effected being the elimination

of a clause providing that a sect or denomination

with the status of juridical person should be

dissolved upon bankruptcy.

It was pointed out

in the course of the debate that although there

were 70,000 Buddhist temples in Japan there had

never been a case in which such a temple had been

unable to pay its way and that conditions did not

require that too legalistic a view of the matter

should be taken, This amendment, together with

one or two others of minor importance, was finally

accepted by the Government and the bill was

subsequently adopted in its amended form by the

House of Representatives.

6.

A special feature of the debate in

both houses was the attention given to the position

of Mohammedaniem under the new legislation.

Your Lordship will be aware from previous despatches

from /

Page 110Page 111