JAPAN’S CONFERENCE

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1944, Page 3

JAPAN’S CONFERENCE

NEW YORK, Oct.' 8.

Japanese leaders have had a conference on the country’s. economic and industrial problems due to the war. The meeting took place yesterday in the T'okio residence of the Japanese ■ Prime Minister (General Koiso), according to the Tokio radio. Several Ministers and representatives of heavy industries were among those present. Koiso, speaking over the Japanese home radio, said: “The war situation is very grave. The enemy intends to invade the Philippines and the Japanese homeland. The Japanese armed forces are waiting an opportune moment to crush the enemy with a single stroke. However,' this might not be possible unless the home front increases' war production—particularly, aeronlanes— which at present are insufficient. The 1 actual truth about the. gradual Japanese retreat in the Pacific is that home front production is insufficient to’ cope with the enemy’s general counter offensive.’’

The Domei News Agency reports the President of the Japanese Board of Information (Taketora Ogata)', as telling the newspapers that the Government’s ne\y programme for the direction of war-time Public opinion

was designed frankly to let the people know the facts about the war and permit any fair expression of public opinion. The programme was intended to develop an atmosphere of brightness as the . nation envisaged its w'ar-time activities.