Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

740.00119 Control (Japan)/10–3146

Appendix “C” (Conclusion) of SWNCC 331, October 14, as Amended October 31³⁴

October 31, 1946

confidential

Supply of Food for Civilian Relief in Japan

1. The Far Eastern Commission hereby confirms the general policies with respect to the supply of food for civilian relief in Japan adopted by the U. S. Government in the fall of 1945 and transmitted to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to be in effect so long as the present acute world food shortage exists. The substance of these policies is as follows:

a. The objectives of the relief policy of the United States are to prevent such starvation and widespread disease and civil unrest as would (1) clearly endanger the occupying forces, and (2) permanently obstruct the ultimate objectives of the occupation.

b. The Supreme Commander should make it clear to the Japanese people that:

(1) The Supreme Commander assumes no obligations to maintain, or to have maintained, any particular standard of living in Japan, and

(2) That the standard of living will depend upon the thoroughness with which Japan rids itself of all militaristic ambitions, redirects the use of its human and natural resources wholly and solely for purposes of peaceful living, administers adequate economic and financial controls, and cooperates with the occupying forces and the governments they represent.

c. The Japanese authorities will be expected to develop and effectively carry out programs of working activity that will enable them out of their own resources and labor to accomplish the following:

(1) to avoid acute economic distress.

(2) To assure just and impartial distribution of available supplies.

In order to achieve these aims, the Japanese authorities will have to make the utmost effort to maximize production of agricultural and fishery products, coal, charcoal, housing repair materials, clothing and other essentials. In the event that they fail to do so, the Supreme Commander should direct them to take such measures as in his judgment are necessary.

d. The Supreme Commander should assure that all practicable economic and police measures are taken to achieve the maximum utilization of essential Japanese resources in order that imports into Japan may be strictly limited. Such measures will include production and price controls, rationing, control of black markets, fiscal and financial controls and other measures directed toward full employment of resources, facilities and means available in Japan.

e. The Supreme Commander should be responsible for providing imported food supplies only to supplement local resources and only to the extent supplementation is needed to prevent such widespread disease or civil unrest as would endanger the occupying forces or permanently obstruct the ultimate objectives of the occupation.

f. Production of food crops should be maximized. Supplies of fertilizers should be made available. The production of farm tools and implements in short supply should be encouraged. Special attention should be given to encourage production and sale of incentive goods to induce farmers and other food producers to move their produce to market. The existing dispersion of persons from food deficit areas to food surplus areas should be prolonged, exceptions being made for people of needed special skills.

2. The Far Eastern Commission recommends to its member governments that as a matter of policy they take no step which would have the effect of providing imports of food to the Japanese which would represent priority or preferential treatment for the Japanese over the requirements of the peoples of any Allied power or liberated area, except to the extent that the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has determined that imports into Japan are essential for the safety of the occupation forces. This policy shall remain in effect during any period of acute world food shortage.

34. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were requested to transmit copy of this statement to SCAP; copy was sent on November 8 to General McCoy who was authorized to propose adoption of the statement by the Far Eastern Commission (740.00119–Control (Japan)/10–3146).