740.00119 Control (Japan)/11–1447
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
No. 1391
Sir: I have the honor to refer to this Mission’s despatch No. 1363 of October 31, 1947 and previous correspondence in regard to meetings [Page 318] of the Allied Council for Japan and to forward herewith five copies of the Agenda and Corrected Verbatim Minutes of the Forty-fifth Meeting of the Council held on November 12, 1947.92
Under official matters, the subject “Report by the Chairman on the Establishment of a Foreign Exchange Rate for Japan” had been held over from the previous meeting. The Acting Soviet Member recommended the establishment of an exchange rate at the earliest possible moment to assist in the development of foreign trade. In that connection, he urged that Japan be given an opportunity greatly to increase output in peacetime industries.
The second subject on the Agenda was a “Report by the Chairman on Fundamental Changes in the Japanese Educational System”, proposed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. In my statement (page 2 et seq.), I drew attention to the abuses which existed in the highly centralized Japanese educational system before the Occupation. After summarizing early steps taken by this Headquarters to correct the most objectionable aspects of this system, I described the development of a long-range program to transform the educational system into an effective instrument for the furtherance of a democratic society. This program is based upon recommendations made by the United States Education Mission to Japan and the Japanese Education Reform Council, and upon the policy decision of the Far Eastern Commission regarding revision of the educational system.93 Implementation is founded upon three documents: (a) the new Constitution of Japan;94 (b) the Fundamental Law of Education;95 and (c) the School Education Law. I explained in some detail the various aspects of the reforms being undertaken and concluded by emphasizing that the success of the program depends upon the will of the Japanese people to achieve improvement, and the extent to which essential materials and adequate financial support may be furnished.
The Acting Soviet Member inquired as to what extent foreign books and publications are available to Japanese teachers and students and from what countries such publications are received. In reply, I stated that, in accordance with a policy statement adopted by the Far Eastern Commission on March 27, 1947, this Headquarters gives due weight to furnishing foreign books in central libraries, subject to import requirements and the availability of supplies.
The British Commonwealth Member agreed upon the advisability of decentralizing educational activity, with the exception of such [Page 319] matters as financial administration and the establishment of a regularized system of appointment, promotion, and dismissal of teachers. In response to his inquiry concerning a recommendation made by the United States Education Mission with regard to language reform, I suggested that the Council avoid discussion of that subject in view of its technical and highly controversial character. The British Commonwealth Member stated that, in new Japanese history textbooks, treatment accorded recent events is of a perfunctory and sometimes contentious nature. I briefly summarized the difficulties which had been encountered in searching for Japanese scholars who could write an objective history and submitted that those texts, the best now available, will be revised and improved as a result of further experience. At the request of the Member for China, this subject was retained on the Agenda for further discussion at the next meeting.
Respectfully yours,