Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1947. JAPAN TO-DAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1947. JAPAN TO-DAY

Japan’s return to normalcy and to the same footing- as the other nations of the world will be an immensely difficult one for three main reasons. One is the political international situation, the second is the problem presented by a population which is increasing at a tremendous rate, the third is the chaotic economic conditions under which the country is labouring. These views were expressed by Chaplain Captain, the Rev. J. Murphy, who returned to Invercargill recently after a year in Japan. In the course .of •an interview, Chaplain Captain Murphy commented on many aspects of life in the country to-day after more than a year of Allied control, and his views are of some interest, as they reveal the impressions of one who would not be influenced in any way by poli-tical-considerations. He remarked : “The political international situation makes it very necessary to retain an occupation force in Japan although after the treaty is signed things may be different.” The Communist element in Japan was strong, he added, and there was a noticeable lack of friendliness between the Russians and Americans. There was a great fear of a Russian invasion of the country, and many Japanese were pleased that there was an occupation force in the country. The Japanese see in that fore a protection from Russia. This remark is interesting in the light of a recent statement by General MacArthur that there need be no fear of Japan causing another war for a century, and the need for an occupation force would soon disappear. The General may not h 4 ave taken into account the need for the country to defend itself, and that need may arise if the treaty terms are such as to deprive the Japanese entirely of the means of defence. It may be found desirable to permit the Japanese to maintain some semblance of force if peace in the Far East is to obtain for any length of time. It may even be that General MacArthur .-based his assertion on economic grounds, for Chaplain Captain Murphy states that economically the. country is still in chaos. Industries still lie idle, and blackmarketing is extensive and wellorganised. It is interesting to note that the people have; not shown emnity to the occupying forces, but the most encouraging note concerning the rise of a new Japan comes in , the statement that the basic unit of Japanese society was in the home and in the natural, virtues of its womanhood. The lift in the status of Japanese womanhood would be the guide to Japan’s future. If that is true, and there seems no reason to doubt it, then General MacArthur’s statement that Tapan would not wage war again for a century may be a perfectly sound one.