NEW ERA IN JAPAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 5

NEW ERA IN JAPAN

DEMOCRATIC RULE CABINET TO RESIGN RESTORATION OF FLAG \ (10 a.m.) TOKYO, May 2. 'Die Japanese Prime Minister, Mr, Yoshitla and his Cabinet will resign en bloc on May 6, when an Imperial edict will be issued calling for the convention of the first session of the Japanese Diet under the new constitution. Preparations are being made throughout the nation for celebrating the effectuation of the new democratic constitution which pledges the renunciation of war, strips the Emperor of divinity and power, reducing him to a symbol of State and guarantees the Japanese people fundamental rights. To-morrow, the Imperial Palace plaza in Tokyo will be the scene of a mass rally which will be attended by the Emperor to introduce the new constitution to the citizens of Tokyo. General MacArtliur’s Letter General MacArthur, in a letter to Mr Yoshida, said: ‘With the effectuation of a new Japanese constitution, there will be established in Japan a Government erected on democratic principles by the free expression of the popular will, composed of co-ordina.te organs of State power fully responsible to the people in whom sovereignty now rests, and dedicated to the realisation and safeguarding of the sanctity of human freedom, and the furtherance among men of lasting peace.” On the eve of Japan’s new constitution, General MacArthur restored the Japanese flag to the Japanese people “to signify the event in Japanese life of a new enduring era of peace, based on personal liberty, individual dignity, tolerance and justice.” The flag was restored with the strict proviso that it can only be flown without restriction on three buildings—the Emperor’s Palace, National Diet building and the Prime Minister’s residence. Until now General MacArthur has permitted the display of Japan’s flag on only certain holidays.