JAPAN'S FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 25776, 26 April 1946, Page 7

JAPAN'S FUTURE

RETENTION OF EMPEROR FAVOURED SOMETHING LESS THAN GOD STATUS TOKIO, April 25. "Press comments, party recommendations, and policies aud also scattered reports from political observers in. various parts of the country indicate that increasing numbers of Japanese favour the retention of the Emperor as the head of the State, but desire a modification' of the concept that all State authority should be vested in his person." * This summing-up is contained in General MacArthur's latest occupation report, in which he states that only the Communists have strongly objected to the Emperor's activities, charging, him with being a major war criminal, campaigning on behalf of reactionary political parties. The report cites the result of _ a limited survev hy the Public Opinion Research Institute, which reveals that 12.6 per cent, favoured the Emperor retaining his old status, 60.2 per cent, that he serve only as a moral figurehead, 22.6 that the Emperor and the Diet share political authority, and 4.6 per cent, that the Emperor system should be abandoned in favour of an elected president. The report gives the Emperor's wealth at 111 million dollars, excluding art treasures. General MacArthur declares that some of the confusion and bewilderment of the post-surrender period is being dissipated.