THE BLACK DRAGON

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 2

THE BLACK DRAGON

The Leader’s Claims “INTERESTED' IN FARMING” (Rec. 7.45). TOKIO, September 20. Hoshisa Kuzuu, the Chief of the Black Dragon Society, who is 72 years of age, was interviewed by a correspondent of the American Associated Press. He said the Society retains'its headquarters in Tokio, where former members still visit him as individuals. But this has nothing to do with politics. Kuzuu said he was astonished to learn that foreigners regarded the Black Dragon Society as a powerful, dangerous organisation. Those rumours probably were due to the fact that this Society, was the oldest in the country, and that it was active in the Russo-Japanese war 40 years ago, and also in China affairs, in United States immigration problems, and in disarmament. Hence, the foreigners probably suspected the Society had something to do with the outbreak of the last war. The organisation had one thousand members. Eight years ago when he took the leadership of the Society under his guidance, it practically abandoned political activity, and it concentrated on welfare work. It was not a secret organisation, and it met only to discuss foreign problems. It was dissolved on August-118 last, but he was maintaining the offices because he was interested in new methods of farming. He wanted to spread innovations in Japanese agriculture.

Kuzuu said that the Society’s most powerful rival was the Ton Dobunkai, “where,” he said, “foreign matters are studied.” Young fanatical patriots started similar organisations, which died because of a lack of sustained interest.

Kuzuu asserted that he was unable to supply a membership list because the Black Dragon Society was “informal”. It depended on contributions for its finances. Kuzuu said he has seen or heard nothing of an underground movement in Japan to-day. The Associated Press correspondent said the disclosure that the Black Dragon Society was still using its headquarters came the day after Prince Higashikuni. Prime Minister, told interviewers that he hoped secret groups would disband, and that otherwise the Government would enforce their dissolution. The correspondent said many Japanese told him the Society “black jacked” contributions by threats of terrorism.