CO129-575-3 Japanese affairs 2-1-1939 - 21-12-1939 — Page 113

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last year and who remained in the country upon

the latter's departure with the object, it is

alleged, of watching the progress of the measure

which it was anticipated would come before the Diet.

These efforts to secure the definite recognition

of Mohammedaniam met with no success, however,

and the supporters of a further amendment of the

bill had to content themselves with a statement

on the subject of the Government's attitude

towards Mohammedaniam which it was arranged should

be made by the i rime Minister. The statement

was made on the last but one day of the session,

upon which the bill was finally adopted, and was

to the effect that the Government would in future

pay careful attention to the activities of the

Mohammedans. There was no question as to their

complete liberty of religious belief under, and

within the limits of, Article 28 of the Constitution

in the same way as the followers of other religions.

The new bill, however, had been designed primarily

for the regulation of religions which were active

in Japan, and although Mohammedanism was not

specifically mentioned the provisions relating to

"churches" could be applied to it, am also to

other religions, given compliance with certain

conditions.

9.

I may add that the Most Reverend

Bishop Heaslett, Fresiding Bishop of the Nihon

Seikokai (Holy Catholic Church of Japan), which

is

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