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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1956)
GREAT DECISIONS Topic No. 6 What Can the U.S. Do About Japan's THE PROBLEM A squadron of American war ships under Commodore Perry opened Japan's doorg to the rest of the world in 1853. Nearly 100 years later, in September, 1945, another American fleet sailed into Tokyo bay to begin the most unusual occupation of a defeated country in history. Perry provided the spark that remade feudal Japan into one of the six most highly industrial ized nations in the world. The American occupation tried to re make militaristic Japan into a peaceful, Western-type democ racy. Yet the occupation was only a few years old when the U. S., under pressure of the cold war, helped Japan rearm, contrary to her "new constitution . . . this time in defense against a com- mon threat, communism. Now, experts say that new communist tactics present more dangerous challenges to the U.S., and to Japan, with a neutralized Asia slipping closer to commu nism. If this is the cold war pro gram for 1956, what does it mean to the U.S.? Where does Japan fit into this picture and what kind of partnership are the U.S. and Japan building? What responsibilities has the U.S. as sumed for this former epemy ... and are we right or wrong in doing so? How does the U.S. see Japan's ' role in Asia . . . and what is . Japan doing about it? What is happening inside Japan? What ' happened to the idustries that supported a 14-year war with China and a four-year war with the U.S.? Is Japan leaning to ward the West, toward neutral ' ism or communism? 'f IS THERE A NEW JAPAN? At the height of power In '1942. . Japan proper had about 70,000,000 population and a con quered empire of 3,000,000 square miles to sustain her econ- omy and feed her people. In 1945 Japan was stripped "down to her four home islands an an area of 142,000 square r miles. Industries were shattered by war and wear; raw materials and markets cut off. Repatriated Japanese citizens, numbering 7,000,000, added to the crowded home population. A ! climbing birthrate and dropping r death rate added another 1,000,- 000 citizens annually . . . until the population reached 89,425, 600 on Jan. 1, 1956. ; What problems did this shat : tered empire face . . . how did . it survive? How has Japan fed her people, kept her industries going? What does the future i hold for the only modern, in dustrialized nation in Asia? IS JAPAN MAKING AN ECONOMIC COMEBACK? Like Britain, industrial Japan must buy food and raw mater ials . . . and sell manufactured goods in order to survive. Twenty , per cent of Japan's food is im ported, plus nearly 90 per cent of the raw materials that feed her industry. Her only food sur plus is fish, which is exported all over the world. Japanese agriculture has long been close to the saturation NEXT FREE FORD JUNE 27 WE IT'S FUN TO P BUY GAS AT (j3 "On the Point" South Central at South Riverside NEW FORD TICKETS FROM CRATER LAKE MOTORS AND FORTUNE OF SO. OREGON Role in Asia? point. Only 16 per cent of the country is suitable for farming. Over half of that is devoted to rice and Japan must import 10 per cent of the rice she con sumes. Military conquest was one way to balance the deficits, which include 100 per cent of the raw cotton and large percentages of Wool, petroleum, iron ore, cok ing coal, wheat and barley. Since the war, through peace ful methods, Japan has built an industrial, world-trading econ omy that rivals West Germany's. The major pre-war market for silk was cut into by synthetic fabrics, so Japan switched to cotton. In 1955, 40 per cent of Japan's total exports were cotton tex tiles and during the same year, she became the world's third largest exporter of merchant ships. The U.S. buys 17 per cent of all Japan's exports and sells Japan 35 per cent of all her imports. This deficit of nearly $600,000,000 a year in trade with the U.S. throws an added burden on Japanese finance. She must earn the dollars in favorable trade with other parts of the world. U.S. dollars are scarce. Loss of empire and cold war strategy have changed Japan's foreign trade pattern drastical ly. China took 45 per cent of Japan's exports in prewar days, and furnished a quarter of her imports. Now, with a Western embargo on Red China trade, those figures have dropped to .25 per cent of exports and 1.5 per cent of imports. South East Asia is a logical target for Japanese development, but these countries have been slow to welcome Japanese capi tal and economic cooperation. In addition, they are short on capi tal, low on purchasing power, deeply involved in tasks of de veloping their own economies. However, Japan built her exports to this area from a prewar 16 per cent to 33 per cent in 1955 export total. Solving these problems of in tegrating Japan into world trade and commerce has been hard for government and private capital alike. Japan got a temporary transfusion from the U.S. during the Korean war from military purchases, but the 530,000,000 monthly price the U.S. paid to maintain bases during the height of the war has dropped to $16, 000.000. To meet the crisis five things had to be done step up exports, decrease domestic consumption, modernize the industrial plant, pare down manufacturing costs and curb inflation. By 1955 head way had ben made on all points. Exports were doubled; Japan's modernized textile plants are among the best and most ef ficient in the world; production was stepped up and the workers got real wage boosts; the yen appeared stable at 360 to $1. The national budget was bal anced. For the first time exports exceeded imports in dollar value. IS JAPAN DEMOCRATIC? The new, occupation-inspired constitution proclaims "that sov NOT YET CHECKED IN CHECK TICKETS BY 8:30 P.M., MAY 2nd No need to buy to SAVE FREE TICKETS! FREE SPONGE FOR YOU With any gas purchase while they last HAVE WINNING NUMBER LISTS ereignty resides in the people." The once-devine emperor has be come a symbol only, with no powers and only ceremonial di ties. Among reforms initiated are a Western-type "bill of rights;" abolition of the peerage and secret police; academic freedom for teachers; women suffrage; abolishment of conscription; and renouncement of war "forever," with "land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, never to be maintained." A two-house legislature was set up with executive powers in the prime minister elected by the people. Each city, town and village has its elected assembly. One of the most striking re forms is the establishment of an independent judiciary, headed by a supreme court with auth ority to rule on the constitution ality of laws, as in the U.S. The rights of labor to organize are protected by the constitution, and about 6,000,000 Japanese are members of unions. WHAT IS JAPAN'S ROLE IN ASIA? Remembering Japan's war time "co-prosperity" enforced at gunpoint, Asia has been slow to cooperate with a new Japanese co-prosperity program. During 1955, however, a number of war claims . against Japan, and in several cases private Jap anese capital investments as well as easy payments were involved. In the Philippines' settlement, capital investments were to be made in major Philippine min ing, agricultufal and industrial campanies. With India, construc tion and operation of a glass factory was arranged, with 51 per cent Japanese owned. An Indo-Japanese fishing company was established and technical assistance was offered to Indian industries. Similar agreements were made with Ceylon. Japan also invested cash and equipment in Latin America. WHAT IS JAPAN'S ROLE IN U.S. STRATEGY? Intelligence reports reveal that Russia is staging a steady military, air and naval buildup in the Siberian coastal areas. To gether with forces of Red China and North Korea these forces far outnumber Western defenses in the Pacific. What is the balance -of mili tary power in the Far East? What part does the U.S. expect Japan to play in Western stra tegy? It is estimated that the Com munists have a total of 4,000,000 troops, and the Western allies, including four U.S. divisions and those of Japan, South Korea and Nationalist China, total 1, 500.000 troops. Communist air power is esti mated at 7,000 combat jet air craft and the Western allies 2, 500. In naval strength, the Rus sian submarines are known to be in the Pacific and 30 new warships have reached Pacific bases by the Arctic route. The allies have the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Taiwan Straits, plus re serve Pacific Fleet bases in Hawaii and on the Pacific coast. It may be presumed that a large part of this country's 200 sub marines are operating in the Pacific. WHERE IS JAPAN GOING IN 1956 The burden of economic come back has rested on the Japanese WiWW people businessmen, manufact urers and farmers in partnership with a pro-U.S. government and limited U.S. aid. The old mono polies with their authoritarian management were more profit able to operate and slowly, with the end . of the occupation, the old combines have come back. Although not holding comp anies, the new zaibatsu are mono polies. Two handle 20 per cent of all Japan's trade in 1956, and Japan's 15 biggest companies now handle 60 per cent of all trade. Such monopolies may threaten free enterprise but it apparently has speeded ecanomic recovery. JAPAN'S ROLE IN ASIA What opportunities and re sponsibilities does industrializa tion offer Japan in Asia? Is Ja pan's economic expansion into South East Asia 'a help or a hindrance to the underdevelop ed countries of that area? Russia, China and other com munist countries are offering loans and technical assistance to Asian neutrals. What effect might Japan have, through in vestments and technical coopera tion, on communist penetration in Asia? Red China is also industrializ ing rapidly, with Russian aid. Should the U.S. consider back ing Japan in the same way? To what extent would an economic ally strong Japan, dominating Asian trade, serve U.S. interests? Or would it threaten them? IS JAPAN'S PROBLEM A U.S. PROBLEM? Is a democratic Japan an as set to the U.S.? If so, why? Do you think Japan is on the road to democracy? In terms of the cold war, what kind of asset is Japan to the U.S.? Is the U.S. justified in expecting the Jap anese to amend the anti-war clause in their constitution? Would a neutral Japan be a ser ious liability to the U.S.? What can or should the U.S. do about Japan's problem? BACKGROUND TO CRISIS What the U.S. does about Jap an in 1956 will depend on many factors , . . what the U.S. would like in the Far East what Russia and Red China are doing in the Far East . . . what Japan wants and needs. The following headline events of the past year tell something of the present far east situation. What effect should these events have on U.S. policy? Jan. 18, 1955 Japan's For eign Minister Shigemitsu declar ed "The fundamental aim of Japan's foreign policy is to help advance the cause for peace and progress of East Asia and there by contribute toward the en hancement of the general wel fare of mankind." Feb. 28, 1955 General elec tions throughout Japan gave the new Democratic party of Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama a plurality of 185 seats in the 467 seat lower house of the Diet. The Democrats favor strong coopera tion with the U.S. but an in dependent foreign policy. Mar. 13, 1955 Harold Stas sen, U.S. Foreign Operations administration chief, urged Jap anese industry to play a lead ing role in the economic devel opment of the Asian region. Mar. 19, 1955 Ichiro Hatoya ma, reelected prime minister, said that, improved trade rela tions with China and other com munist nations will not weaken ER Japan's policy of cooperation with the United States and other free nations. He had indicated that he favors improved trade and travel relations with the communist bloc. Mar. 24, 1955 The U.S. may be asked to return Okinawa, a major strategic air base, and the Bonin islands, both wrestled from Japan during World War II. Prime Minister Hatoyama told the Japanese Diet he favors negotiations with the U.S. on this. May 4, 1955 C ommunist Chinese representatives and pri vate Japanese interests confer ring at Tokyo signed an agre ement providing for $184,000, 000 in two-way trade this year. June 13, 1955 Japan reached a one-year agreement with com munist China on fishing rights. Japan suffers from restrictions imposed by Russia, South Korea, Canada, Australia and the U.S., as well as China. June 14, 1955 After two weeks of negotiation in London on a treaty to end the technical state of war between the two countries, Russia presented the Japanese negotiator with terms which would, in effect, neutra lize Japan in the East-West cold war. June 15.1955 Agreement was reached between Japan and the Philippines on the question of war reparations. The original Philippine demand for $8,000, 000,000 has been scaled down to $550,000,000 in indemnities and $250,000,009 in investments and development loans. Aug. 2, 1955 The Japanese Biet adjourned after a stormy closing session, without amend ing the antiwar clause in the constitution or taking any action toward rearmament. Aug. 11, 1955 Japan was ad mitted to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs, with the approval of 30 of the 34 member nations. Aug. 16, 1955 Japan submit ted a counterproposal to the Russian delegation on a pro posed peace settlement between the two countries. She requests the return to Japan of south ern Sakhalin, Kurile and other Russian occupied islands and the return of 10,000 Japanese prisoners of war. Aug. 16, 1955 Communist China's Premier Chou En-lai told visiting Japanese newsmen that the price of normal relations be tween the two countries' is Jap an's severance of all relations with the Nationalist Chinese. Aug. 31, 1955 Foreign Min ister Shigemitsu of Japan and U.S. Secretary of State Dulles conclude'd three days of talks on problems of mutual "interest, including Japan's need for more extensive trade in Asia, the pro- ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS! NOW ON DISPLAY 66 Passenger School SEE THIS n MODEL TRANSPORTATION 'EMERGENCY? If any School District is in need of Emergency Bus Transportation for the children of their district PLEASE SEE, OR PHONE US AT ONCE! Demonstration By Appointment We Can Make Immediate Delivery On This New Display Model INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS 2232 Biddle Sunday. April 29, 1956 gressive withdrawal of Ameri can military forces and a six year rearmament program. Sept. 10, 1955 U.S. tariffs on a variety of inexpensive Jap anese imports are reduced. Sept. 23. 1955 Japan reached agreement with Red China to buy 400,000 tons of Chinese coal. Nov. 15, 1955 A two-party system went into effect for the first time in Japan's history with the merger of the Democrat and Liberal parties. Right and left wing socialist parties merged a month ago into the Socialist party. Nov. 22, 1955 In response to protest from the American tex tile industry, the Japanese min istry of international trade an nounced an embargo on the ex port of cotton goods to the U.S. pending regulatory measures. Detf. 14. 1955 In a final vote on the admission of new mem bers to the UN, the nationalist Chinese delegate vetoed Russian-sponsored Outer Mongolia and Russia countered by veto ing Japan. 4 Jan. 1, 1956 With the an nouncement in Toyko that Jap an has declined to continue trade negotiations with com munist North Korea, the South Korean government lifted its embargo on Japanese goods. WHAT CHOICES HAVE WE IN 1956? Does the U.S. want an ec onomically strong Japan? Should we help Japan strengthen her commerce and trade in South East Asia? What about our other allies should we urge them to accept stiff Japanese competi tion in Asian markets? Are we willing to see Japan compete with U.S. industry? Would trade with the communist bloc be a threat to the U.S.? What should we do about tariffs on Japanese products? Does the U.S. want a militar ily strong Japan? How important is Japan as a military ally? Do we want a major military build up there? Or a moderate re armament program for home de fense only? What about Jap anese socialist opposition to re armament? What are the dang ers of a revival of militarism in Japan? Would the U.S. be as well off if we pulled our bases out of Japan and let them worry about their own defense? Is a neutral Japan a possibil ity? The Liberal Democrats be lieve in cooperation with the U.S. but favor an independent foreign policy. The Socialists fa vor taking no sides. What are the possibilities of a neutral Jap an, trading with both sides, tak ing part in no military pacts on either side? How might it af BODY BY 1956 H iERHAT 0 AL AYS ONLY Road Medford fect Asia's' future? What can the U.S. do to keep Japan from be coming neutral? Is Japan likely to become pro communist? What could bring this about? YOUR OPINION COUNTS What the U.S. decides to do about Japan in 1956 may affect our relations with all of Asia may determine the outcome of the cold war in Asia. Individual opinion counts in forming the U.S. foreign policy. Your decisions, which will be forwarded to the U.S. State de partment and to our Congres sional representatives, should be mailed to Don Hansen, chair man of the Great Decision com mittee. Franklin building, Med ford. Ballots included in "the Great Decision fact sheets, or letters, may be sent. The material above is a cond ensation of the fact sheets which form the basis for Great Deci sions study and discussion groups. Septic Tank Pumpers Must Be Licensed Septic tank pumpers must be licensed and bonded before pumping will be legal, Bob Hart, county sanitarian, announced today. Before a license can be issued the pumper must first be bond ed, he said. Licenses can be ob tained from the state board of health. Largest mosses in the south ern U. S. may reach four feet or more in length. DURING THE REXALL SPRING lc SALE ONLY April 30 May 5 WALES PORTABLE RADIO Durable, powerful enough to outplay and out last radios many timet its pricel Lightweight, small enough to slip into an overcoat pocket! Four tubes. Dial marked for Civil Defense warning stations. Uses 67V4 volt flat battery plus regular flashlight battery. Choose Ivory, Grey, Green or Maroon, 90 Day Warranty. GET YOURS TODAY! BPOQPBB) CENTRAL Rexall DRUG MAIN and CENTRAL 1 "SUPERIOR It MON. - TUES. - WED. - THURS. APRIL 30 MAY 1-2-3 MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE FIVE Gheysen Starts As County Jailer Here : Robert Gheysen, who has been a member of the Medford police force for about three years, Sat urday took over duties as Jack son county jailer. Gheysen replaces Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Janzen, who have re signed as jailer and matron. The Janzens were honored at a farewell party Saturday morn ing by sheriff's office personnel. Coffee and cake were served and the honored guests were presented a merchandise gift certificate. The former jailer and matron plan a brief vacation trip to Lo Angeles, then will return to their home in Central Point, Night Time is Most Dangerous Driving Time Salem UP.) The state traffia safety division said Saturday the most dangerous time to drive in Oregon is between midnight and 8 a.m. when one out of every 87 traffic accident produces at least one death. The high ratio of fatal crashes during hours of relatively light traffic was blamed on too much speed, tired drivers and drink ing drivers. The spectacled bear found in South America has a habit of building "nests" of sticks in tall trees. Use Mail Tribune Want Adl , - crn-y.., Reg. $19.95 NOW $1395 Without Batter! Phone 2-4553 Bus
