Evening star., 1939-08-07
Intense Campaign
OF Japonification
Goes On in Korea
Guiding Principle for
Administration Of
The Peninsula
BY FRANK H. HEDGES


TOXIC, Aug. I tN.A.N.A)-Tht
complets Japonificstion Of the peo-
pie Of Korea, making them a. one
with the Japanese spiritually, cul.
turslly and in all other ways, 10 the
guiding principle which determines
every phase of Japans administra-
ton and development Of that penin-
suls, Gov. Gen. Jiro MinaTni told
the writer on his visit to Toxic to
report on current conditions and
progress in Korea, or Chosen, as the
Japanese themselves term that land
"How long will that take, and will
the Koreans then be given repre-
sentation in the Imperial Diet on
the same basis as native Japanese
subjects. Gen. Minami7"
This retired full general Of the
Japanese Army. who has served DUR
ing the last few years as Japan's .
Ambassador to the new state Of
Manchukuo and a. commander of
Japan's powerful military force sta
toned there, the Kwantung Army.
smiled quietly and leaned forward
across the table to say earnestly:
II believe that about 30 years
must elapse. We can scarcely ex-
pect to attain, our objective until a
new generation, educated and
trained from childhood in Japanese
schools, japanese theology and Japa-
nese ways of all sorts has reached
maturity and replaced those Ko-
reans who still recall the days prior
to the annexation"
This is being done now, and ap-
parently with sufficient rapidity to
satisfy the chief administrator of
this part of the japanese Empire, to
which Toxic refuses to apply the
term colony" insisting 1t Is an in
tegral part Of the Japanese nation.
Schools were totally lacking when
Japan definitely took over Korea in
1910, save for few private institu.
tions = which taught the Chinese
classics. They are still insufficient
to accommodate all young Koreans
Of school age, but about 40 per cent
are now attending primary schools.
Present plans call for an expansion
of the system within the next five
years to care for 100 per cent, when
primary education will be made
compulsory as In Japan proper.
Teachers in these schools are both
Korean and Japanese. The incul-
cation Of "Japonism.' Of japanese
ethics and loyalty to the throne and
the Emperor as the father of 10
reans and japanese alike, Is strongly
emphasized.
This process of Disqualification" is
not confined to the classroom BY
any means, but extends into social
and home life, through the organ
ization of spiritual mobilization
societies and wherever else the jap
anese, ever Jealous in the service OF
their Emperor, can carry 1t.
The Importance which the Toxic
government attaches to Korea is OBJ
vious. 1t is Of tremendous strategic
value. both for the defense Of the
home islands and as A foothold on
the Asiatic continent for advances
made there. Agricultural and in
dustrial development is going on
apace, but forms a part of a CO.
ordinated and planned economic
scheme which dovetails into the
planned economy of the Japanese
Empire. Originally, all effort was
concentrated on agricultural i'm.
provement and development, the
governor-general being responsible
for extensive irrigation systems, for
reforeststion of the denuded and
barren hills of the peninsular and so
bringing about water conservation
and flood control, for increased
yields Of rice and other farm crops
and for improvement of their quail.
lty. Under the administration OF
Gen. Kazushige Ugaki, attention wa.
turned to industrial development
but with no slackening as regards
agriculture. Gen. Minsmi is carry
ing on both tasks.
I'm line with developing the ma
tional strength" (of all Japan he
says, I'VE must increase production
Efforts have been made in Korea to
concentrate on the electrical, cherni-
cal and mechanical industries. In
particular, 1t is planned to increase
the output of : gold and other i'm
portant n1etals''