The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-03-01
Life in Jopon
Growing Horder
Day by Day

Civilian hardships are increasing
in japan, the Office of War In
forma ton said today in a report on
the Japanese home front. This does
not r1ean that the home front IS
cracking, however. Even after years
of war the 100000 japanese are
solidly modified behind their gov
eminent and dc not expect to be
defeated.
Information for the report was
obtained from the Federal Com
munications Commission, that mon
itors foreign broadcasts, the For
eign Economic Administration and
other government sources
Rationing-In Japan all food and
clothing is rationed, as well as medi-
cines, gasoline and fuel such as
coal, charcoal, kerosene and wood
en- clogs (shoes). Food is distributed
to japanese consumers through To-
cal Neighborhood Associations that
issue the rations.
Shortages-Rice and fish, the two
staples of Japanese diet, are dis
tributed under controls. The supply
of cotton textiles is inadequate. II
japanese are able to buy new cloth
ing, they must be satisfied with APP
parel made Of 'sufu,' synthetic
fabric that shreds after few wash
ings.
It is estimated that japanese CT
villains subsist today on approx
matelv 20 per cent less food than
they did at the beginning Of the
war. The yearly rice consumption
of the japanese has been reduced
from $40 pounds per capita to 240
pounds.
Restrictions Luxuries, amuse-
ments and railroad travel are re-
stricted There are no afternoon
newspapers. The Japanese may not
make railroad trips of more than
approximately 60 miles. even on
urgent personal business without
a police permit.
Increased Taxes Taxes on IN
come, property. housing, business
and luxuries have been increased
The income tax rate has ben raised
approximately five per cent, from
a minimum rate of 10 per cent to a
minimum of Is per cent.
Higher Living Costs-Although
runaway initiation has been avoid
ed in Japan by rationing and price
control measures, the cost of llving
has risen substantially since 1897
Real earnings, or the amount Of
goods and services that wages will
buy, have declined. The cost of liv
ing index for Tokyo in l940 was so
per cent higher than it was in 1886
1887
Prices Of tea, charcoal fireWood
fruits, textiles, clothing paper,
newspapers and electric light bulbs
were higher in 1914 than they had
been in 1913.
Compulsory Labor Service No
able-bodied Japanese man is al
lowed to be idle. All male Japanese
between the ages of u and 60 ana
all unmarried females between II
and 40, must be registered with the
labor exchange under terms Of q
national service act called "Emer-
gency Mobilization of National
Labor" japanese men are forbid
den'to work in II occupations class
flied as non-essential to the war,
These jobs must be filled exclusive
ly by women Workers can be ar
rested for unauthorized shifting
from one Job to another.
Enemy Air Raids-Japanese civil
ians, especially those living in high
~ industralized areas such as north
Kyushu island, and such metropol-
itan districts as Greater Tokyo, ex-
pect enemy planes overhead day CT
night. The government has ordered
two million civilians children,
sick, infirm and the aged, pregnant
Women-to leave Tokyo and live
on farms or in evacuee camps.
Measures were taken in September,
1914, to assure maximum attendance
Of workers in factories despite air
raids.