73
9
Both factions have now been removed from the official party headquarters by the police as a result of a brawl which took place there recently. A conciliation committee formed of members of the two parties met at a restaurant on the the 19th June but failed to reach any agreement.
New Railway between Shimonoseki and Tokyo.
232. It is reported that the Ministry of Railways have decided to lay a new track between Tokyo and Shimonoseki in order to cope with the increasing volume of traffic between Japan and the continent. It is expected that a survey at the cost of some 390,000 yen will be completed by October. Some reports suggest that the new track will be of standard gauge.
Economic Offences.
233. The frequency of economic offences was discussed at a conference of judges and procurators which took place at the beginning of June.
It was agreed inter alia that in order to ensure the rigorous control of economic offences both parties to an illegal transaction should be punished with equal severity. It was unanimously urged that heavier penalties should also be provided. Under the existing regulations the maximum fine is fixed at 5,000 yen. It was advocated that this should be made much higher and that offenders who contra- vened the regulations with the intention of suffering the fine should forfeit their gains in addition.
Import and Export of Yen.
234. New regulations to be enforced as from the 1st July have been drawn up restricting the amount of travelling expenses which may be carried by persons visiting foreign countries. Under the previous regulations travellers were per- mitted to carry a maximum amount of 1,000 yen in cash and 1,000 yen as a letter of credit. Under the new rules the maximum amount, in whatever form, is reduced to 500 yen. The new regulations also restrict the amount of Japanese bank notes which may be imported to 200 yen, except with official permission.
National Savings.
235. It is now three months since the Government started their campaign for the saving of 10,000 million yen. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Communications, the campaign is doing well, and from 2 to 6 million yen is being saved each day.
Spiritual Mobilisation.
236. At a meeting of the Spiritual Mobilisation Committee on the 1st June Mr. Okada, Vice-Minister of the Department of National Welfare, suggested that the following rules should be introduced :-
(1) That receptions and parties for weddings and other events should be
generally dispensed with.
(2) That the wearing of frock coats and morning coats should be discontinued except when visiting the Imperial Palace, or a shrine on a formal occasion.
(3) That Neon signs should be abolished.
(4) That cafés, bars, restaurants and licensed houses should close at 10 P.M.
(5) That students should be urged to discontinue the vain practice of allowing
their hair to grow unduly long.
(6) That the practice of exchanging seasonal gifts should be abandoned.
Renovation of Living.
66
237. With reference to sub-paragraph (5) above, the following extract is from the Asahi of the 23rd June: In accordance with a resolution of the National General Spiritual Mobilization Enforcement Society of the Finance Ministry, Vice-Minister Ono yesterday notified, as chairman of the society, all the members, comprising not only officials of the Ministry proper, but also officials of the revenue offices and the Monopoly Bureau, numbering some 30,000, that they should wear their hair short like soldiers.
238. "The short hair' decree reads as follows: Let it be resolved that we, the members of the society, shall observe the following as a means of renovating our living:-
666
(1) All members below the age of 25 and those attending school shall wear their hair shorter than one-tenth of an inch.
1
(2) Others shall try to wear their hair just as short as far as possible. (3) Exception shall be made of those with wounds or scars in the head
or those who must wear their hair long because of outside work.'
"An Asahi reporter went to ask Vice-Minister Ono what it all meant :—
Q. What is the ground of the "decree "'?
CC C
A. By refreshing feeling we hope to infuse the spirit of renovation. 2. There seem to be many pros and cons about the cutting of hair short. A. If the thing is argued about there would be no end. The essential point is not so much cutting the hair as making it the manifestation of one's determination to renovate his living.
Q. Are you sure it isn't a step to follow the Finance Minister with his
close-cropped hair?
* C
A. The opinion of the Minister has had nothing to do with our plan. Q. How about you. Vice-Minister?
A. I went to the barber's only yesterday, and it would be more or less waste, but I shall at once have my hair cut to one-tenth of an inch.
Q. Why have you provided for exceptions?
A. Revenue officers, for instance, may find it inconvenient to be considered too young. Also officials abroad would have to wear their hair long, unless they wish to be taken for convicts.'"
74
Page 60Page 61
RIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.