Imperial Japan hunted shortwave listeners in colonial Korea: 246 people investigated and 50 radios seized by Inspector Saiga Shichirō, a notorious torturer accused of fabricating cases and sending detainees to their deaths (1942–44)

During World War II, Imperial Japan banned the use of shortwave radios, which tech savvy Koreans were apparently using to secretly listen to the Korean-language service of the Voice of America, which began broadcasting in August 1942. Doing so was extremely risky, since anyone who was caught by Imperial military police faced detention by Inspector Saiga Shichirō, who was notorious for fabricating cases and brutally torturing and killing detainees.

By 1944, a few hundred Koreans were arrested for shortwave radio offenses. Thus, the number of shortwave listeners was probably extremely small, numbering maybe only a few hundred in a population of over 25 million. Nevertheless, it is a testament to the insecurities of the totalitarian regime that it went to such great lengths to crack down on such a tiny circle of listeners, presumably because uncensored news about the war threatened its monopoly over information and challenged its control over the minds of the Korean people. The ominous final paragraphs of the article, hinting at further rounds of arrests, appear calculated to frighten anyone who might still have been listening.

Also reproduced here is a news advertisement from the July 20, 1938, issue of Keijo Nippo newspaper illustrating an example of an AM radio set, which might have been modified by Korean hackers to receive shortwave signals. This particular model is a Sharp M-3 radio set manufactured by Hayakawa Electric, a precursor of the modern Sharp Corporation.

By the late 1930s, technology had progressed enough that the size of the radio sets had shrunk to that of a toaster, and only four vacuum tubes were required to operate it. But the four vacuum tubes had to be specific types: UZ 57, UX 26B, UX 12A, and KX 12F. It is a testament to the resilience and technical expertise of this underground Korean radio hacker community that they were still able to scrounge up enough parts amid wartime shortages and work clandestinely under the noses of the vigilant Imperial police and its informants to even be able to listen to the shortwave broadcasts from the U.S. and breach the regime's information blockade.

I am also documenting four other articles demonstrating just how closely radio ownership and listening were controlled in colonial Korea. Receiver installations required official permission, and the authorities periodically threatened to prosecute people who listened without authorization. I also included articles from 1942 and 1943 reminding the Korean people of the ongoing ban on shortwave radio. 

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), November 25, 1944

Criminals Who Leave No Trail
Meeting Technical Skill with Technical Skill
Inspector Saiga’s Keen Instinct for Uncovering Clandestine Shortwave Listening

In a remarkably short period of only six months, Inspector Saiga Shichirō of the Special Higher Police Section of the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Department apprehended [redacted] persons involved in clandestinely listening to shortwave broadcasts and seized fifty radio sets. These traitorous individuals had allowed themselves to be captivated by enemy schemes and, posing as well-informed persons, had spread false broadcasts throughout the community as though they were true. For his outstanding achievement in forestalling such subversive activity, Saiga received Korea’s first Police Distinguished Service Award. We asked him to describe the full scope of clandestine shortwave listening.

“While investigating a particular rumor case, we traced it to information that ordinarily could not have been obtained in Korea. Suspecting that shortwave radio was undoubtedly involved, we extended our investigation in every direction, examining connections with dealers as well as with technicians. I shall never forget that we began the investigation on the Day of the Imperial Rescript on February 8, 1943.”

“Even the largest case sounds perfectly simple once it has been solved, but making the arrests was anything but easy. If someone is transmitting radio waves, the source can be located with detection equipment. Reception, however, is different. We had to consider the equipment, its outward appearance, and other circumstances together, identify suspicious persons, and then proceed to arrest them. In practice, this was an extremely difficult problem.”

“As our surveillance expanded, their methods became more ingenious. A set might outwardly be a model certified by the Broadcasting Corporation, while its interior had been skillfully modified, allowing the owner to feign complete innocence. We started seizing actual radio sets only in February. As the investigation became more severe in April and May, suspects began burying receivers in the ground or dividing their component parts into three or four separate hiding places. Even when our preliminary investigation had already secured conclusive evidence, we sometimes had to search a house three times before finally discovering a single component. Technically speaking, their methods were quite sophisticated.”

Inspector Saiga’s skill in dealing with shortwave equipment, relentlessly examining even the smallest and most ordinary-looking component, was cultivated during his military service thirty years ago. As a signals soldier, Private First Class Saiga underwent extensive technical training and devoted himself to operational communications during the Siberian Intervention. By a curious turn of fate, the confidence he gained in those skills has now proved of great value in the Greater East Asia War.

“Even an ordinary radio is difficult to hear when improperly adjusted. With shortwave, clandestine listening is impossible without at least some technical knowledge. Anyone who succeeded in listening had probably ruined one or two radios while learning. From a technical standpoint, therefore, the offenders came from the so-called intelligentsia: people with wireless expertise, people who had studied it at school, or radio dealers.”

“From the police standpoint, the investigation proceeded by following rumors back toward their sources. But the trail often broke off midway and could not easily be followed. People often speak of arrests proceeding 'like pulling up a sweet-potato vine,' with one suspect leading to another, but matters were not so simple in this case.”

“There was, however, technical cooperation among the listeners. One member might say to another, 'I haven't been able to listen very well with mine in recent days. What could be wrong with it? Take a quick look at it for me.'”

“Of the 246 persons who became involved in the investigation, [redacted] persons were convicted. Among them were some pitiable cases, including persons who listened because close relatives were living in the continental United States and they were anxious about their safety. Nevertheless, unlawful equipment remains unlawful equipment, and they had to face the judgment of the law.”

“There was also one admirable person who, despite being exposed to outrageous falsehoods, maintained an iron resolve and personally rejected the subversive rumors.”

“Although women are ordinarily associated with criminal cases, none appeared to have been involved in clandestine shortwave listening. This may have been because of the technical knowledge that the activity required.”

Inspector Saiga believes that the practice has probably been eradicated in terms of its overall scale, but that truly malicious individuals may still be listening secretly. Perhaps he is already devising confidential plans for a second and third round of arrests.

“Work that anyone can undertake can be left to others. I do what no one else will attempt,” says Inspector Saiga. What will be the next achievement credited to him?

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), June 29, 1943

Controls on the Sale of Radio Receivers

As stronger restrictions on the supply and demand of important materials have made radio receivers and their components increasingly difficult to obtain, the Communications Bureau has decided to regulate their distribution and sale. Therefore, Mr. Fukagawa, chief of the bureau’s Supervisory Section, issued the following statement:

“The allocation of materials for radio receivers and components has recently become considerably tighter. Consequently, we can no longer supply people who wish to use a high-grade receiver merely as an ornament in a room or who unnecessarily install two or more sets.”

“From now on, distribution will be controlled according to a one-receiver-per-household principle, with the objective of making simple and inexpensive receivers widely available. Specifically:”

“1. Requests will not be accepted from persons who already possess a receiver and wish to purchase an additional one, or who wish to purchase a more advanced receiver.”

“2. In places where broadcasts can be received easily, such as cities in which broadcasting stations are located and nearby areas, only simple, inexpensive receivers will be sold, and the sale of high-grade receivers will be prohibited.”

“We particularly ask everyone not to leave the nation’s precious resources sitting idle, but to put them to effective use for listening. If a receiver is no longer needed, please transfer it to someone who requires one. Those possessing two or more receivers should transfer any unnecessary sets to others so that they may be put to use. We also ask listeners to carefully handle the receivers that they are presently using.”

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), June 26, 1943

The Growing Number of Radio Listeners
Unlicensed Listeners Should Complete the Required Procedures Immediately

Under the conditions of the Greater East Asia War, in which every day is a decisive battle, radio has cast off its former entertainment-centered role. It has become an indispensable part of national life and an important weapon for defending the home front.

The number of listeners continues to rise rapidly. During the five-day period, 6,372 new applications were submitted. On the other hand, 4,976 listening registrations were terminated because receivers had been sold, had broken down, or because their owners had moved elsewhere within or outside Korea. This produced a net increase of 1,396, bringing the total number of registered listeners to 270,854.

A considerable number of people, however, are still listening without having obtained permission, or have reported that they have discontinued listening while continuing to do so. The Communications Bureau, acting in coordination with the Broadcasting Corporation, will shortly conduct simultaneous arrests for these unlawful installations.

Because unlawful radio installations are subject to severe punishment under the Electronic Telecommunications Act, the Communications Bureau urges anyone who has not yet obtained permission to complete the required procedures immediately.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), March 12, 1943

Shortwave Receivers Are Forbidden
Anyone Possessing One Must Report It Immediately

Across the skies of the world, a battle of radio waves is unfolding that nothing can obstruct. Radio waves, as “invisible bullets,” transcend time and distance to strike at the heart of the enemy.

The enemy, groaning under defeat, is attempting to compensate for its military disadvantage through schemes and propaganda conducted by radio broadcast. It is expected to intensify its false propaganda in the future in an effort to disrupt our home front.

For this reason, the Communications Bureau prohibited last summer the use of equipment capable of intercepting enemy false broadcasts, namely, shortwave receivers. Perhaps because radio listeners in Korea have not fully understood the purpose of the prohibition, some have failed to report their sets and have continued listening secretly without obtaining permission. More than ten such persons have already been uncovered.

The Communications Bureau urges anyone who has a shortwave receiver in his possession to come forward voluntarily before being discovered and punished.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), September 9, 1942

Shortwave Reception Absolutely Prohibited
Severe Punishment for Unreported Listening

Do you possess a shortwave receiver or an all-wave receiver?

For counterespionage reasons under the present wartime conditions, such receivers are absolutely prohibited. Any private individual possessing one must report it immediately to the Communications Bureau, a police station, or the military police, or face punishment.

Those who are using a receiver after partially disabling its shortwave or longwave section are also requested to consult the Communications Bureau or the Broadcasting Corporation regarding the extent of the modification and to take the prescribed measures.

Domestic radio receivers, foreign-made receivers other than models certified by the Broadcasting Corporation, and specially constructed receivers, such as homemade sets, are prohibited if their reception range extends below 550 kHz or above 1,500 kHz.

Anyone possessing such a set must report it, submit it for inspection, and obtain instructions concerning the appropriate measures to be taken. If the set is subsequently discovered, its owner will be severely punished regardless of whether the owner possesses a broadcast-listening permit. The Communications Bureau urges everyone to comply so that no mistakes happen.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年11月25日

蔓を持たぬ犯人
技術には技術で
短波密聴に鋭い斎賀警部の勘

敵の謀略にうつつを脱かし物識顔でデマ放送をまことしやかに巷間に流布する短波密聴の売国奴どもを僅か六ヶ月の短期間に関係者〇〇名と五十台の機械を取り押さえ、謀略を未然に防いだ抜群の功で朝鮮最初の警察功績賞を受けた京畿道警察部高等警察課警部斎賀七郎氏に短波密聴の全貌を聴いた。

『ある流言事件の査察をしているうち鮮内で普通には知り得られない流言に辿りつき、これは確かに短波が使用されているという睨みから業者の関係、技術者の関係と各方面から査察の手をのばした。取調を開始したのは忘れもしない昭和十八年二月八日の大詔奉戴日であった』

『どんな大きな事件でも片付いたあとからの話は至極簡単だが検挙は並大抵のものではない。電波を放射する発信なら探知機で突止めることも出来るが、受信となると施設或は外見といった点から綜合して怪しいと狙ったのを検挙してゆくのだから実際にはなかなか困難な問題であった。警戒の手が伸びると巧妙になって外見は放送協会の認定品でありながら実際は内部を巧みに改造して素知らぬ顔をしているといった不逞さであった。現物の押収は二月だけで四月、五月と取調べが峻厳になるにつれ受信機を土の中に隠したり部分品を三つにも四つにも分け、内査では確証を握っておりながら家宅捜査を三回繰返して漸く部分品の一つをさがし出すといった調子で技術的には相当なものだった』

何の変哲もない小さな部分品にまで査察の眼を離さず執拗に喰下る斎賀警部の短波に対する腕の冴えは三十年前の兵営生活に育まれているのだ。通信兵として技術の修練を積んだ斎賀上等兵はシベリア出兵で作戦通信に挺身した腕に覚えの自信がいま大東亜戦争に大きく役立ったのも不思議な因縁だ。

普通のラジオでさえ調節が悪ければ聴きづらいのに、まして短波になると曲りなりにも技術を知らなければ密聴は出来ない。密聴するまでにはラジオの一つや二つは壊したことであろうから機械的には無線の技術をもったものとか学校で習ったもの或はラジオ商といった範囲の所謂インテリ層なのだ。また一方警察的には流言を辿るのだが途中で根が切れてなかなか辿れない場合が多い。よく芋蔓式というが、この場合はそう簡単にはゆかない。然し技術的協力ということはある。つまり自分のは最近聞えないが、どうした調子だろう。一寸検べてくれといった仲間同志の技術の協力だ。迷惑のかかった二百四十六名のうちから〇〇名が有罪となったのだが、なかには肉親が米本土にいるのでその安否を気づかって聴いていたという気の毒な人もあったが、不法施設はあくまで不法施設であって法の裁きは受けねばならないのだ。また或人はとんでもないデマを吹込まれながら鉄壁の決意をもって不逞のデマを自ら打ち砕いていた奇特な人もあった。

犯罪には女がつきものであるにかかわらず、短波の密聴に女が関連していないのも技術といった点から姿が見えなかったのかも知れない。

量的には壊滅したであろうが本質的に悪い奴は今なお密聴しているだろうという斎賀警部の胸中には第二、第三の検挙の秘策が練られているのかもしれない。誰もが手につけるような仕事は他人まかせだ、俺は人が手をつけないことをするという斎賀警部の手に挙がる次の戦果は果して何であろう。

京城日報 1943年6月29日

受信機の販売統制

重要物資の需給制限強化によりラジオの受信機や部分品の入手も相当困難となって来たので逓信局では配給販売を統制することになったが、右に関し逓信局深川監理課長は次の通り談話を発表した。

ラジオの受信機や部分品用材の割当は最近相当窮屈になって来たので今迄のように高級受信機を部屋の飾物にしたり不必要に二個以上据付けるというような向きには配給出来なくなった。今後はこれを統制して次の如く一戸一機主義により簡易低廉な受信機を広く普及する方針にした。即ち、

一、受信機所持者が増設する為に購入せんとするもの又は更に高級受信機を購入せんとするものには応じない。

二、放送局所在地や近距離の所など容易に聴取出来る地では簡易低廉な受信機を販売し高級受信機の販売を禁止する。なお此際特に御願いしたいことは貴重な国家の資源を遊ばすことなく有効に聴いて戴きたい。若し不用ならば必要な向きに譲って貰い二個以上あって不用なものは他に譲って活用して戴きたい。又現在聴取している受信機は大切に取扱って戴きたい。

京城日報 1943年6月26日

増えるラジオ聴取者
無許可者は早速手続を

その日その日が決戦である大東亜戦下のラジオは従来の娯楽本位から脱皮し国民生活と切離すことの出来ない銃後を守る大切な武器となり、聴取者はぐんぐん増加の一途を辿り、五日中の新規申込者は六千三百七十二名であったが、一方受信機の売却、故障、内外地転出で廃止が四千九百七十六名もあり、結局千三百九十六名の純増で総数二十七万八百五十四名となった。

この中には未だに許可を受けずに聴いているもの又は聴取廃止をし、そのまま聴いている者が相当あるので逓信局では放送協会と連絡して之等不法施設の一斉検挙を近く行うが、ラジオの不法施設は電信法により厳重処罰されることになっているから未だ許可を受けていないものはこの際至急手続きをとるよう逓信局では要望している。

京城日報 1943年3月12日

短波受信機はご法度
所持する者は今直ぐ届出よ

世界の空には何物にもさえぎることの出来ない電波の攻防戦が展開されている。電波は『見えない弾丸』として時間と距離を超越し敵国の心臓を衝く。敗戦に喘ぐ敵側は武力の不利をラジオ放送による謀略と宣伝戦で補わんと我が銃後攪乱のため今後ますます熾烈なデマ宣伝を企図するものと考えられるので、逓信局では昨夏敵国のデマ放送を傍取し得る機械即ち短波受信機の使用を禁止したが、鮮内のラジオ聴取者には趣旨の不徹底のためか届出を怠り、使用許可を得ずしてひそかに聴取しているもので摘発されたものも十数名にのぼっているが、逓信局では手元に短波受信機を持っているものは摘発をうけ処罰されないうちに自発的に申出るよう要望している。

京城日報 1942年9月9日

短波は絶対禁止
無届聴取は厳重処罰

短波受信機または全波受信機をお持ちの方はありませんか。時局下防諜上の見地から絶対禁止せられているから若し一般の方で、これ等の受信機を持っている方は至急逓信局なり警察署、憲兵隊に申出ないと処罰されます。短波または長波部分を一部切断して聴取している方も改装の程度を逓信局か放送協会に問合わせの上処置せられるよう逓信局では要望している。

国産のラジオ受信機或は放送協会認定品以外の外国製の受信機または自分で組立てたような特殊の受信機で五百五十キロサークルから千五百キロサークルを超えるものは禁止品となっているから届出をなし検査を受け適当な処置を仰いでいないと後日発見されたとき放送聴取許可証の有無に拘わらず厳重処罰されるから間違いの起こらないよう逓信局では要望している。

Sources:

• Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea
• Internet Archive (Keijo Nippo; June 29, 1943; page 3) (link)

See also:

• Saiga Shichirō (斎賀七郎), an Imperial Japanese Ideological Police officer responsible for the torture, false imprisonment, and deaths of countless Korean patriots, was assassinated in Seoul on Nov. 2, 1945 (reported by newly liberated Keijo Nippo) (link)
• Voice of America Korean Broadcast - first sent by shortwave from Washington, D.C. on June 13, 1942, with more regular Korean programming beginning from San Francisco on August 29, 1942 (Encyclopedia of Korean Culture link)
• Secret Shortwave Listening Incident - an incident in 1942 which Korean broadcasting-station employees secretly listened to shortwave broadcasts from Voice of America and the Korean Provisional Government in Chongqing, then passed along war news - around 300 broadcasting personnel and civilians were arrested and 75 were convicted (Encyclopedia of Korean Culture - link)

When all of Korea was forced to bow to Ise Grand Shrine and vow before the Shinto gods to annihilate Imperial Japan’s enemies: a chilling moment at 1:22 PM on December 12, 1943

On December 12, 1943, during one of the darkest chapters of Imperial Japanese colonial rule over Korea, the entire peninsula was mobilized for a synchronized prayer toward the Ise Grand Shrine in central Japan. At precisely 1:22 PM, every Korean was compelled to bow towards the east to swear a vow to the enshrined pantheon of Shinto gods to annihilate Imperial Japan's enemies, the U.S. and Britain. This extraordinary event, designed to demonstrate loyalty to the Empire, marked a departure from the usual rituals of the time.

This event marked the one-year anniversary of the Emperor's secret journey to the Ise Grand Shrine on December 12, 1942 to pray for victory at Guadalcanal. At the time, it was considered very unprecedented for the Emperor himself to stand alone before the Inner Shrine sanctuary at Ise to recite a prayer for victory. Contemporary press reports noted that this didn't happen even during the First Sino-Japanese War or the Russo-Japanese War (link). 

Under colonial rule, daily life in Korea was punctuated by strict, state-imposed ceremonies. At 7:00 AM each morning, Koreans were required to perform remote worship (宮城遥拝) toward the Imperial Palace. At noon, they observed a moment of silence (正午の黙祷) to honor Japan’s war dead. These two times of the day were usually marked by loud sirens. Every Korean was expected to participate, with members of local neighborhood cells (patriotic groups) strictly organized to ensure compliance. Even buses and trains stopped at that moment, forcing passengers to partake.

On October 23, 1944, Koreans would once again be mobilized for a synchronized prayer, this time toward Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine. At precisely 9:15 AM, every Korean was compelled to bow in reverence to Imperial Japan’s war dead, who were enshrined as gods. 

This forced mass worship was a chilling manifestation of Imperial Japan’s assimilation policies, aimed at erasing Korean identity and replacing it with blind devotion to the Empire. The ritualistic nature, combined with the total control over public and private life, reflects the deep cultural and spiritual subjugation that Koreans endured.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) December 13, 1943

A Perfectly Solemn Moment
A Vow of Certain Victory Across Every Corner of the Korean Peninsula
Yesterday Was the Day of Nationwide Shrine Worship

At 1:22 p.m. on December 12, 1942, the sacred moment when His Majesty the Emperor most reverently paid homage at the Ise Grand Shrine—this day, this very hour, was humbly recalled. One full year later, at that same moment, the one hundred million subjects standing firm on the home front, each from their respective places, reverently turned their gaze and worshiped toward the distant land of Ise.

On this day, here too on the beloved Korean peninsula, twenty-five million people together raised the national flag at every household. Beneath the crystal-clear winter sky, the pure Hinomaru vividly re-created the emotion of that day and that hour, remaining utterly pure and utterly solemn.

Fired with single-minded fighting spirit to annihilate the hated enemy, America and Britain, Sunday was no obstacle. In every workplace, selfless devotion to production on the home front continued unabated. Then, at last, 1:22 p.m. arrived, and the radio solemnly announced the time of nationwide shrine worship.

Ah, at that moment, without distinction of age or gender, those walking the streets, those operating machines, those working in the kitchen, all alike straightened their collars, set their expressions firm, oriented their posture toward the distant east, and quietly, quietly bowed their bodies low. They offered up a burning fighting spirit, resolved to strike and strike until the enemy was utterly destroyed.

For ten seconds, twenty seconds, heads bowed deeply and ever more deeply, the noble Imperial Presence advancing toward the land of Ise seemed to revive vividly and reverently within the hearts of the people. The Emperor’s august resolve, solemnly pledging before the distant Imperial Ancestors the inevitable destruction of the vile enemy, returned with overwhelming force to the hearts of the common people.

As they silently intoned, “Strike and strike until they are destroyed!” the fighting spirit overflowed through the entire bodies, emotion surging until hot tears streamed down their cheeks. Raising neither head nor gaze, focusing the mind’s eye, they vividly saw the heroic spirits who perished gloriously in the Battle of Attu, and the loyal spirit of Admiral Yamamoto, who soared heavenward amid the dense clouds of the South Pacific, pointing unmistakably across the Pacific Ocean.

We shall annihilate them! The American and British demons who must be struck down without mercy! Even should they come advancing, piloting aircraft no more formidable than dragonflies, escorting funeral fleets resembling earthen coffins, not a single plane nor a single ship shall be allowed to return in satisfaction. The sacred land of the Divine Realm shall never be violated; enduring with heaven and earth, it is eternally indestructible. We, the one hundred million, will resolutely defend it to the end.

If they rely on numbers, we shall meet them with numbers. If they rely on intrigue, we shall counter with intrigue. Thus, we solemnly and forcefully swore again and again to pursue the demons of America and Britain, the enemies of all humanity, to the very ends of the earth.

The winter sky remained endlessly deep and clear. The rising-sun flags shone ever more brilliantly. The twenty-five million people of the Korean peninsula, bodies and souls devoted to the nation in selfless sacrifice, offered worship toward the distant land of Ise with resolute determination to fight through and win even the third year of the Sacred War.

(Photograph: Silent prayer of production warriors)

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年12月13日
ぴたり厳粛の一瞬
半島津々浦々に必勝の誓い
きのう総神拝の日

昭和十七年十二月十二日午後一時二十二分畏くも天皇陛下伊勢神宮御親拝の御時刻ーこの日この刻を謹みて顧み奉る一億銃後蒼生は満一年後の同時刻、各自在所より恭しく遥かなる伊勢路の彼方を拝し奉ったのである。この日愛国半島でも二千五百万斉しく戸毎に国旗を掲げれば澄み渡りたる冬空に清浄の日の丸はあの日あの刻の感激をそのまま再現してあくまで清くあくまで厳粛である。

宿敵米英撃滅のひたぶる闘魂を昂揚して日曜日もものかは、各職域に銃後生産の滅私奉公を続ければ、やがて午後一時二十二分ーラジオは厳かに総神拝の時刻を告げるのであった。ああこの刻、老幼を問わず、男女の差別なく道往く人も、機械を操る人も厨房に在る人も一斉に襟を正し面を引き緊め遥なる東方に姿勢を整え静かに静かに体を伏し撃ちてし止まむ。撃ちてし止まむ火と燃える闘魂を捧げ奉ったのであった。十秒二十秒深く深く頭をうなだるれば尊き玉体を遥けき伊勢路に進めさせ給い醜敵必滅を御力強く遠つ御祖に御誓い遊ばされた宸襟のほどが、ひしひしと民草の胸内に勿体なくも蘇って来るのであった。

撃ちてし止まむ、撃ちてし止まむと念ずれば闘魂いよいよ五体に溢れ激情は熱涙となって頬を伝う。更に頭もえ上げず心眼を凝視すればアツツ島に玉砕せる英魂、南太平洋の密雲に天翅けりし山本元帥の忠魂がまざまざと太平洋の彼方を指さすのである。殲滅せん、米鬼、撃たて止むべき英鬼、蜻蛉に等しき飛機を操るとともに土造に似たる葬送艦隊を進め来るとも一機一艦たりとも満足には帰さじ、神州不犯の聖地は天壌と共に永劫不滅われ等一億断じて護り抜かん。

量を恃まば量を以て、謀略には謀略を以て人類の宿敵米英鬼共を地球の涯まで追い撃たんーと厳にまた強く断じて断じて誓い奉るのであった。冬空は飽くまで深く澄み日章旗は更に清々、二千五百万民草の五体また殉国滅私、聖戦第三年目をも勝ち抜かんとの決意も凛々と遥かなる伊勢路を奉拝したのであった。

【写真＝増産戦士の黙祷】

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive

See also:

• When all of Korea was forced to bow to Yasukuni Shrine to worship Imperial Japan’s war dead as gods: a chilling moment at 9:15 AM on October 23, 1944 (link)
• Everyone in Korea was required to immediately stop exactly at 7 am for the Kyūjō Yōhai prayer vowing loyalty to the Emperor and at noon for the moment of silence honoring Imperial soldiers, even cars and trains had to immediately stop in the middle of traffic at the same time for prayers (Aug. 1943) (link)
• Koreans in Seoul streetcar observing mandatory daily Moment of Silence at noon in 1943 to honor Imperial soldiers; caption reads “they offer infinite gratitude for the blood-soaked toil of the generals who are fighting valiantly to destroy the U.S. and Britain on the pathetically brutal front lines” (link)
• Imperial Japanese cartoon from 1943 shows how Koreans were forced to bow to the Emperor every morning, speak Japanese, and accept poverty without complaints (link)

Inside the 1943 Seoul Crackdown on Western ‘Demonic Music’: Imperial Japan’s Campaign to Purge American and British Records, From Hawaiian Jazz to Dvořák, and Confiscate "Unhealthy or Unsuitable" Japanese and Korean Music Records in all of Korea

This article from 1943 offers a rare glimpse into one aspect of the severe censorship regime that Imperial Japan imposed on all its domains, including Korea. Here, we visit a coffeehouse in front of Seoul Station, where the owner is busy getting rid of American and British music records. Apparently, any music from American or British composers was now forbidden. That meant that Stephen Foster's folk music needed to go. Dvořák's music was also deemed unacceptable, because even though his nationality was Czech, he was considered to have strong ties to the U.S., especially since he wrote the New World Symphony there. On the other hand, music from composers of the Axis nations of Germany and Italy were considered acceptable. 

Original caption: Mr. Kawamoto donating hostile-nation records.

Throughout 1943, the newspaper issues featured brief, periodic announcements of music record confiscations. Here, I am showing you one representative notice from May 1943 that features the confiscation of American and British music records as well as "inappropriate" Japanese and Korean-language music records. We can see here that the neighborhood cell (Patriotic Group) leaders were tasked with inspecting and gathering the banned music records from all the households under their jurisdiction and submitting them to the League of Mobilization at the town (eup) level for disposal and recycling. The League of Mobilization was the one and only political party of Colonial Korea that had a hierarchical structure that extended down to the neighborhood cell level to exert oppressive, totalitarian control over the Korean people.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijō Nippo) March 20, 1943

Over One Hundred Selected Records
The First Spear in Sweeping Away American and British Music
Mr. Kawamoto Immediately Goes to the Military Government Office

Chief Dōmoto of the Information Section recently made a forceful statement: “Now is the time to drive out from our homes and our streets the American- and British-made jazz and demonic music that whip up the noise of the city and drive madness into the very marrow of people’s brains!” The web of ideological subversion that spreads through cultural channels cannot be cut in a single day. The harmful influence of American- and British-style records is one such danger.

Rising to the call, declaring “We must eradicate this demonic music without fail…,” is Mr. Kawamoto Ishi"iwa (age 39), owner of Seoul Café in front of Seoul Station, known as a “Western-music coffeehouse.” On March 19th, the very day of Chief Dōmoto’s statement, he immediately went to the shelves holding the numerous Western-music records stored in his shop and selected over one hundred American- and British-type records, including parts of The Foster Collection, Dvořák’s New World Symphony, Hawaiian Jazz, and World Folk Songs, and decided to proceed with the donation process through the Military Government Office. On March 19th, Mr. Kawamoto spoke:

“As you can see, I have collected Western-music records extensively as a hobby, so there are many. Even sorting out the American and British records will take several days. But I also have many works by musical saints of the Axis nations, like Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Italy’s Verdi, so there is no shortage of wholesome entertainment. At this opportunity, I intend to sweep out all American and British records entirely and donate the whole lot.”

[Photo: Mr. Kawamoto donating hostile-nation records]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijō Nippo) May 16, 1943

Collection of Hostile-Nation Records

[Miryang] In the town (eup), in order to heighten hostility toward the enemy and strengthen the movement to reject enemy nations under the wartime system, it has been announced that all records from enemy nations, America and Britain, will be collected. This includes Japanese-language and Korean-language records whose musical content is deemed unhealthy or unsuitable for performance in the present circumstances. The goal is to sweep them all away and elevate the people’s fighting spirit toward certain victory, urging each member of the League of Mobilization to voluntarily contribute such materials.

The notice provides:

▲ Patriotic Group Leaders are to survey in advance the American- and British-made records possessed by each member of their group.

▲ Patriotic Group Leaders are to gather the records submitted by each member and bring them collectively to the Town (eup) League.

▲ Care must be taken not to damage records that fall under the contribution requirement. In view of material shortages at this time, used records are also to be thoroughly collected as part of resource recovery.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年3月20日

選りだした音盤百余枚
米英音楽一掃へ一番槍
河本さん早速武官府へ

巷の喧噪に拍車をかけ脳髄のシンまで狂わせる米英製ジャズや鬼畜音楽を今こそ家庭から街から駆逐せよーとの堂本情報課長の談話は大きく響いた。文化面を通じこの思想謀略の網は一朝にして断ち切れない。米英的レコードの害毒もその一つ。『鬼畜音楽を断じて絶滅しよう．．．』と立ち上ったのは『洋楽の喫茶店』でしられた京城駅前京城茶房主人河本石岩さん（３９）で、課長談話のあった十九日、早速店内に積まれた夥だしい洋楽レコードの棚から『フォスター選集』『ドボルザーク新世界』『ハワイアンジャズ』『世界民謡集』の一部などの米英的レコード百余枚を取出し武官府を通じて献納手続きをとることとなった。十九日河本さんは語る。

御覧のように洋楽レコード専門に趣味的に集めてあるため数も多く米英レコードを選り出すにも数日かかる有様です。しかしベートーベンやモーツァルト、バッハ或は伊太利のベルデ―など枢軸国楽聖のも多数あるので、健全娯楽にはことを欠きません。米英レコードはこの際一掃して全部を献納しようと思います。【写真＝敵性レコード献納の河本さん】

京城日報 1943年5月16日

敵性音盤回収

【密陽】邑では決戦体制下敵愾心昂揚と敵国排撃の運動強化を図り、この際敵国米英の音楽内容不健全にして時局柄演奏不適と認める国語盤及び朝鮮語盤も一掃し国民必勝の士気を昂揚せんと各聯盟員の自発的供出促進を促し回収方を通告した。

▲愛国班長をして各班員の所持せる米英のレコードを予め調査せしめる。

▲愛国班長をして各班員の供出せるレコードを取纏め邑聯盟へ持参せしめる。

▲供出該当レコードを破損せしめざぬ様注意する、なお資材不足の折柄資回収の意味において中古品レコードも併せて供出方徹底せしめる。

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive 

See also:

• Not content with merely banning U.S. and British jazz music, colonial authorities forced cafes, bars, and restaurants to throw out all phonograph records, and replaced the in-store background music with Imperial Japanese military songs and news propaganda blaring on the radio (Jongno, Seoul, 1943) (link)

• In 1944, Imperial Japan launched an “all-out campaign” to erase Hangul from public life, mobilizing teachers and Korean youth to destroy Korean signs, books, and even phonograph records (link)

How Imperial Japan spun a dead Korean industrial accident victim into a wartime hero: ‘Follow in the spirit of Mr. Lim!’, ‘The flower of the workplace!’ at Tōyō Metal in Sinuiju (October 1, 1943)

In previous posts, I explored how Imperial Japan glorified Korean Kamikaze pilots in 1945, repackaging their deaths as noble sacrifices for the empire. But the glorification of dead Koreans did not begin at the war’s end—it was already underway earlier, as shown in this 1943 article published in the Keijō Nippo.

TLDR: This report recounts the workplace death of a young Korean metal-factory worker, Mr. Hayashi (Lim), who was fatally burned while attempting to fix a furnace anomaly outside his assigned post. The article turns this preventable industrial accident into a story of patriotic heroism, culminating in a full “factory funeral” and calls for others to “follow in the spirit of Mr. Lim!”

But behind the imperial rhetoric lies a clear case of systemic negligence and serious safety failures: molten material escaping violently, a lack of safety mechanisms, inadequate emergency procedures, and an overreliance on worker improvisation. The propaganda article frames this death as a noble sacrifice and a selfless patriotic act to divert attention away from the real issues: the gross negligence and utter disregard for safety and human life that permeated workplaces in Imperial Japan.

Unfortunately, failures in molten-metal containment still occur in South Korea’s heavy industry, and one worker recently died in circumstances similar to Mr. Lim. On February 28, 2025, a fire broke out at Hyundai Steel’s No. 1 blast furnace plant in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, triggered by a leak of about 300 tons of molten metal. On November 10, 2024, POSCO suspended production at its Pohang facility after a fire broke out at a furnace around 4:20 a.m., injuring one worker. In March 2025, a worker died by falling into a furnace slag pit at a Hyundai Steel plant in Pohang.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) October 13, 1943

Follow His Sense of Duty!
Ah! The Flower of the Workplace, Mr. Lim's Death in the Line of Duty

A moving story of workplace dedication was reported at the regular bureau chief meeting on the 12th by Director Uetaki of the Industrial Development Bureau. A factory worker who had always upheld his responsibilities went beyond his assigned duties to help a coworker in trouble. In doing so, he tragically died, becoming the “flower of the workplace.” To honor his strong sense of duty, the factory held a solemn memorial service to comfort his spirit.

Hayashi (Lim) Shōzaburō, 21 years old, originally from Shōwa-chō, Nonsan-eup, Chungnam Province, was hired on January 4 of this year by the Tōyō Metal Factory in Sinuiju. Assigned to the dehydration plant as a dehydration worker, he quickly gained admiration throughout the factory for his gentle nature, diligence, and exceptional sense of responsibility—he was a model worker who stood out among his peers.

On September 22, he was on the night shift and in charge of Furnace No. 1 at the dehydration plant. His shift ended at 5:30 p.m., and after completing the shutdown procedures, he prepared to go home. At that moment, he noticed an abnormality in the clay sealing area of the slag outlet of Furnace No. 2. Although it was not his assigned post, he could not ignore a potential danger that might affect the entire factory. So, he teamed up with Mr. Lim Hee-jun (림 희준, 林煕俊), the operator in charge of Furnace No. 2, and began emergency clay repair work. Just as they approached the furnace mouth, molten material from the overheated furnace suddenly gushed out.

Mr. Hayashi tried to react immediately, but in an unfortunate twist, he collided with Mr. Lim Hee-jun who was standing behind him. Both fell to the ground and were severely burned on their backs. They were quickly rescued by fellow workers and rushed to the provincial hospital.

While Mr. Lim Hee-jun fortunately survived, Mr. Shōzaburō Hayashi's condition worsened. As he declined, he was surrounded by his elder brother Tokutarō and his wife, the factory director, department heads, and fellow workers. As his death approached, he whispered in gratitude, “I am a fortunate man to be cared for by so many. I am content even in death.” On October 1, at 11:00 p.m., he finally passed away in the line of duty.

That night saw a fierce thunderstorm. As he neared his final breath, Mr. Hayashi said, “What a storm… the people at the plant must be struggling. I hope they can carry on their work safely.” Even at the very end when taking his last breaths, his thoughts were only for his work and his comrades, and the strength of his sense of duty moved everyone at his bedside to tears.

Tōyō Metal mourned the loss of such an excellent worker during this time of national struggle. On the afternoon of October 3 at 4:00 p.m., a solemn factory funeral was held near the site of his death, attended by all factory workers including the director. They praised his industrial spirit, and all those present vowed, "Follow in the spirit of Mr. Lim!" and to further redouble their efforts in boosting production.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年10月13日

この責任感に続け
ああ！職場の華、林君の殉職

自己の持場を守り徹した工員が隣人の持場の危機救援に赴いて遂に尊くも職場の華と散ったが、その旺盛な責任感を讃えて、この程工場葬を以て厚く故人の霊を慰めたという職場感激談が十二日の定例局長会議席上で上滝殖産局長から報告された。

忠南論山邑昭和町出身林正三郎君（２１）は本年一月四日東洋金属新義州工場に採用され脱水工場に脱水工員として勤務、資性温順、精励格勤、責任感旺盛な模範工員として全工場に異彩を放って来た。

九月二十二日はたまたま夜勤となり脱水工場第一号炉を担当。午後五時三十分夜勤を終了昇温操作を終って帰途についた。そのとき第二号炉のスラグ取出口の装填粘土部に異状を発見した同君は自分の持場でないとはいえ全工場のため見捨てでは置けないと第二号炉担当の林煕俊君と協力、応急措置として粘土作業をなすべく炉口に立った刹那、炉熱の溶液が猛然漏出して来た。同君は間髪を入れず身を転じたのであったが、運悪く背後にいた林煕俊君と衝突二人ともその場に顛倒。無残にも背中一杯に大火傷を受け馳せつけた工場員に助けられて道立病院に担ぎ込まれた。

林煕俊君は幸いにも一命をとり止めたが林正三郎君の経過は悪く兄徳太郎さん夫妻をはじめ工場長、課長、同僚工員などに見護れながら次第に危篤に陥入った。死期近づいた同君は、『こんなに皆様のお世話になって私は幸福者です。死んでも満足です』と苦しい息の下から感謝していたが十月一日午後十一時遂いに殉職した。同夜は大雷雨の日であったが林君は『大嵐だな。現場の人たちは困っているだろう。うまく仕事が出来ると宜いがなあ』と息を引きとる間際まで工場と仕事とのことのみを思い続けその責任感の旺盛なのに枕頭の人々を泣かしめたのであった。東洋金属では決戦下かかる優秀な工員を事故のため失ったことを痛惜。三日午後四時から林徳三郎君の殉職現場付近で工場長以下全工員参集してしめやかな工場葬を営み同君の産業魂を讃え参列工員もまた『林君の精神に続け』とますます生産増強に邁進を誓ったのである。

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive 

Imperial officials fanned out across rural Korea visiting townships one by one to indoctrinate villagers in Imperialist ideology in ‘Grassroots Penetration’ Campaign (March 1944)

For this post, I am examining two wartime propaganda articles to explore the hierarchical administrative structure that Imperial Japan used to forcibly and systematically indoctrinate all of Korea into becoming Japanese. During the final years of Imperial Japanese colonial rule over Korea, the Governor-General’s Office in Seoul frequently invoked the slogan “末端滲透” (mattan shintō)—“grassroots penetration.” This was not only about exerting the central government's authority in rural areas, but also about ideologically cleansing the countryside, where ordinary Korean villagers were still largely hostile to Imperial Japanese ideology and refused to identify as loyal “imperial subjects.”

To address this perceived shortcoming, the colonial government launched a coordinated campaign to send officials from Seoul out into the countryside to personally embed themselves in township (myeon, 面) offices. These officials were following the example of Governor-General Koiso, who made a spectacle of traveling to rural areas and holding face-to-face meetings with local officials in his much-publicized inspection tours of rural Korea.

The officials would travel to remote townships, live for several days inside the township office, and work alongside the local myeon leader and staff. They were there not only to provide “administrative guidance,” but to indoctrinate the township leaders with wartime ideology: mandatory Shinto religious observance, pushing for agricultural overproduction, enforcing conscription, and encouraging compulsory savings (see 1944 article below). During the inspection tours, Koiso asked the local myeon (township) leader in Gapyeong whether he had been conducting “rensei” (錬成, “training”), which was a euphemism for ideological indoctrination: compulsory bowing toward the Imperial Palace every morning, mandatory visits to Shinto shrines, adoption of Japanese language, Shinto purification rituals like misogi, and other practices intended to transform Koreans into loyal imperial subjects. 

From there, the expectation was that the indoctrinated myeon leader would spread these same ideas down the chain—to hamlet (ri) leaders within the township, who would then indoctrinate their own village residents (see 1943 article below). In theory, this trickle-down approach could have transformed the Korean countryside into a loyal outpost of Imperial Japan, but it did not work that way. The Japanese authorities underestimated the resilience of Korean national identity, language, and cultural autonomy. 

The indoctrinated myeon leader would have also been trained by the Seoul officials into techniques to persuade villagers into providing as much grain as possible to the Imperial Army. This 1944 article illustrates how the myeon leader may have overseen some horrific scenes of hardship and starvation as local farmers worked day and night, even cutting into their own personal grain supplies to meet the ambitious quotas imposed by the Imperial Army.

The colonial regime had mechanisms in place to try to ensure ideological compliance even after central officials left. Governor Koiso encouraged hamlet leaders to bypass the township chief and report directly to higher authorities like the county leader or police chief if they believed their myeon leader was not sufficiently loyal. This created a culture of surveillance and snitching, ensuring that everyone—from the top down—was watching each other for signs of ideological weakness. This was what “grassroots penetration” meant in practice: an oppressive system of top-down ideological enforcement, staged in the name of unity with Imperial Japan.

TL;DR: In 1943–44, Governor-General Koiso launched a top-down “grassroots penetration” (末端浸透) campaign of indoctrinating the Korean people in wartime Imperialist ideology and boost agricultural production. Seoul officials would tour the entire country and visit each township for a few days at a time to indoctrinate the township leaders, the township leaders would visit each hamlet to indoctrinate the hamlet leaders, and finally the hamlet leaders would indoctrinate the villagers.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) March 4, 1944

Devoted Service Deep in the Mountains
Bureau of Rural Affairs Chiefs Carry Out Grassroots Administration

The grassroots penetration of government administration, such as the delivery of agricultural products and other goods, encouragement of savings, and conscription procedures, is becoming increasingly important. Governor-General Koiso has continued to emphasize this at every opportunity.

In response, the Bureau of Local Affairs of the Government-General has dispatched a team of approximately ten staff members, including Chief Ōkubo, Administrative Officer Murakami, and Director Tanaka. Beginning on February 7, 1944, they embarked on a direct field survey of the realities of rural administration.

This initiative is not a conventional inspection or mere investigation. Rather, the officials are residing and working at township (myeon) offices, quietly carrying out duties themselves. By leading through action rather than words, they are teaching myeon officials administrative tasks and working to deepen their awareness of the wartime situation.

For instance, two days after leaving Sinuiju, Director Tanaka has already gone to the myeon office in Oksang-myeon (옥상면, 玉尚面), Uiju County, located thirty ri (approximately 12 kilometers) into the mountains of Uiju in North Pyongan Province. He stayed at the myeon office for one week, personally taking on the tasks of the myeon chief and clerks, cutting ration tickets, and leading by example in guiding the staff at the myeon office, all while closely observing actual conditions.

Administrative Officer Murakami is currently deployed to Ongjin County in Hwanghae Province, and other personnel are likewise active in Bocheon-myeon (보천면, 普天面) in South Hamgyeong Province, and Seosan County in South Chungcheong Province.

Chief Ōkubo will soon make an official visit as well, but in Seosan County, there is even a report that local villagers, moved by seeing central government officials taking the initiative to shovel snow, offered a small token of appreciation in gratitude.

In mountain villages where central government officials had never previously set foot, both myeon office staff and local residents have been greatly moved. Their recognition of the wartime situation has deepened significantly, and the campaign is yielding considerable positive results.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) October 13, 1943

Governance that “Lives Together with the Residents”

Government-General Studies Permanent Residency of Township Staff in Hamlets
Reform of Grassroots Administrative Structure

With the establishment of new food departments in each province, the intensification of production, labor reinforcement measures, and institutions such as the Korea Research Institute, the decisive war structure of the embattled Korean Peninsula is moving forward ever more aggressively on all fronts. Governor-General Koiso’s vision is becoming increasingly sharpened and concrete. All twenty-five million people of the Korean peninsula are hastening to their respective positions on the battlefront of production as vanguard warriors.

However, unless these policies penetrate thoroughly into the very grassroots, their effectiveness will be incomplete. Governor-General Koiso has repeatedly emphasized this point. At a time when this necessity is becoming ever more pressing, the Government-General is responding by initiating reforms of the grassroots administrative machinery, and under the direction of Chief of Civil Affairs Tanaka, is undertaking a careful study.

Specifically, this refers to the organizational reform of township (myeon) offices. At the core of this reform is the idea previously expressed by the Chief of Civil Affairs: “Permanent residency of myeon officials in hamlets.”

That is, mid-level myeon officials would be assigned to hamlets—one or two officials per hamlets—where they would reside, dive into the hearts of the farming communities, and conduct administrative duties. They would share in the daily life of the villagers, morning and evening, while providing guidance and encouragement in all areas such as food production increases, food contributions, food storage, and resource collection. This system aims to reinforce the penetration of administrative functions to the grassroots level.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年3月4日
山奥に挺身執務
府地方課長ら末端行政

農作物その他の供出、貯蓄奨励、徴兵事務など行政の末端滲透は益益重要となっており、小磯総督も機会ある度に強調しているが、総督府地方課は大久保課長、村上事務官、田中理事官以下約十名の職員が出動し去る二月七日から地方行政の実態調査に乗り出しているが、之は従来の査察とか、単なる調査ではなく、職員が面事務所で起居し自ら黙々と執務し、口先きのみでなく身をもって面職員に事務を教え、或は時局認識の徹底を図っているもので、既に田中理事官は新義州から二日間、義州から三十里の山奥である平北道義州郡玉尚面の面事務所に約一週間泊り込み、面長の仕事、書記の事務を執ったり配給票を切ったり、率先して面職員を指導する傍ら実態を調査しており、村上事務官も目下黄海道甕津郡に出動しており、その他の職員は咸南道普天面や忠南道瑞山郡等にも出動中で、近く大久保課長も出張するが、瑞山郡では本府職員が率先して雪かきを行っているのを部落民が見て若干の謝礼金をだしたという事実もあり、かつて本府職員が行ったこともない山奥の面では、面職員をはじめ部落民が非常に感激し時局の認識も深め多大の効果を挙げつつある。

京城日報 1943年10月13日
住民と共に生きる政治
本府面職員の部落常駐を研究
末端行政機構改革

各道食糧部の新設、生産増強、労務強化対策、朝鮮研究所等々戦う半島の決戦体制は各面に亘り愈々強行進軍を開始し小磯理念は益々鋭く具体化しており、二千五百万の半島民衆は生産戦の尖兵として一人残らず戦闘配置に急いでいるが、これらの施策が更に徹底的に末端へ滲透しなければならぬことは小磯総督が幾度か強調したことであり、その要は加速度的に重要化しているとき総督府ではこれに対応し末端行政機構の改革に着手。田中政務総監の手もとで慎重に検討している。
即ち面事務所の機構改革がそれであるが、これはかつて政務総監が語った『面職員の部落常駐』がその骨子となっているもので、面の中堅職員が一部落に一、二人が居を構え農民の懐ろに飛び込んで事務を執り朝、夕起居を共にし、食糧の増産に供出に貯蓄に資源回収にと凡ゆる面に亘り指導督励に当らんとするものであり、これにより行政の末端滲透を強化せんとするものである。

Source: Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive 

See also:

• Koiso’s 1943 ‘Great Leader’ Strongman Tours: Surprise village inspections to intimidate local leaders and impose Japanese language and culture all over the Korean countryside (link)

• Korean rice farmers barely survived eating grass roots as they worked tirelessly to meet the rice quotas imposed by the Imperial Army in 1944, even sacrificing their own personal rice supplies to face starvation under pressure from the police inspector and the township chief (link)

Koiso’s 1943 Strongman Tours: Surprise village inspections to intimidate local leaders and impose Japanese language and culture all over the Korean countryside

Ever since Imperial Japan annexed Korea in 1910, subduing the countryside proved to be one of the most difficult tasks. The Imperial Japanese central government in Seoul struggled to exert control over traditional rural communities, which remained bastions of Korean language, culture, and identity. Imposing Japanese language, culture, and ideology on these far-flung regions was a daunting challenge.

Original Caption: Governor-General Koiso gets into a truck at Gapyeong Mine

By 1942, Governor-General Koiso Kuniaki (1942–1944) sought to accomplish what his predecessors had failed to do: win the “hearts and minds” of Korean villagers and persuade them to accept Japanese rule, abandon Korean culture, and adopt Japanese language and Shinto practices.

In the February 1943 inspection tour, Koiso asked the local myeon (township) chief in Gapyeong whether he had been conducting “rensei” (錬成, “training”). This was not mere vocational training. Rensei was a euphemism for ideological indoctrination: compulsory bowing toward the Imperial Palace every morning, mandatory visits to Shinto shrines, adoption of Japanese language, Shinto purification rituals like misogi, and other practices intended to transform Koreans into loyal imperial subjects. The myeon chief—often a local villager chosen for his charisma and leadership—was expected to shepherd his people into these unpopular and humiliating activities.

In the October 1943 inspection tour, Koiso makes a surprise visit to a random hamlet in a rural part of Southeastern Korea. He startles the Korean hamlet leader, named Mr. Toriyama, and peppers him for 40 minutes with questions about cotton production and food preservation. Koiso encourages to report to the myeon leader, county leader, provincial leader, or even to him personally if there is "anything troubling". Mr. Toriyama is described as being overcome with emotion as he struggles to find words.

The surprise nature of these visits conveys the following ominous message to the Korean people: We are watching you, and you better be at your best behavior, because you won't know when we will be paying you a visit.

The format of these inspection tours will feel familiar to anyone who follows North Korea today: the “Great Leader” style of visiting factories, farms, and villages, giving advice, and presenting himself as the wise teacher and commander. In the 1943 article, Koiso is portrayed arriving in remote villages, inspecting workplaces, lecturing officials and workers on everything from farming to mining, and dispensing “guidance” in a paternalistic tone.

The key concept repeated in these articles and throughout the news coverage in this period is 末端行政 (mattan gyōsei), meaning “grassroots administration.” By 1943, the colonial regime recognized that real control had to be enforced at the lowest levels—hamlets and townships. So, they began reinforcing staffing at this level and making more inspection tours to make its presence felt more palpably in everyday life. For rural Koreans, this must have felt like the government was constantly breathing down their necks, pressuring them to abandon their culture and conform to Imperial rule.

TLDR: Imperial Japan conducted surprise "Great Leader" inspections all over Korea to keep Koreans on their tiptoes in a state of fear, even at the grassroot level. Governor-General Koiso fashioned himself as a hands-on, fatherly strongman who gave “guidance” on everything from farming to mining.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 26, 1943

“Harmony between the township and the police”
Governor-General preaches local administration in Oeseo-myeon

The Governor-General rode a truck into the mountains for an inspection. This was no idle outing. Wherever war-related material is being produced, he ventures even into the remote mountains to comfort and encourage the industrial warriors, determined to contribute even a little to strengthening the war effort. We must recognize both Governor-General Koiso’s firm resolve and the gravity of the war situation that brought it about. Fierce battles are being waged here too.

This was the Governor-General’s frontline command, his angry determination to annihilate the U.S. and Britain exploding as he ventured into the first line of defense of the home front. On his shabby work desk, the medal ribbons that tell of many military achievements shone brightly. On February 25th, Governor-General Koiso, accompanied by Governor Seto of Gyeonggi Province and Secretary Kobayashi, left his official residence at 9:30 a.m. and headed for Asano Cement’s asbestos mine in Gapyeong-gun, Seorak-myeon.

Before the Cheongpyeong Dam of the former Han River Hydropower was built, the river could not be crossed, so remote was this mountainous region that even the county governor had never once set foot there.

At 11:00 a.m. the Governor-General arrived at the Seorak-myeon office. He was welcomed by the governor of Hansan-gun and Police Chief Mr. Kuwana, entered the office, received a report on local conditions, and gave instructions to township (myeon) staff.

He asked in a friendly tone, “Well now, myeon leader, are you conducting training?” The Governor-General explained the essence of training in plain language: “For agricultural production, the landlords must work diligently. Since the myeon is the grassroots of administration that directly touches the masses, you must work thoroughly. To do that, you must put yourself in the place of those you govern and carefully look after them.”

After 11:00 a.m. he changed vehicles and boarded a truck. Sitting heavily beside the driver, he stared intently ahead. What was he thinking? Perhaps in his heart he was saying: “Warriors who sacrificed themselves at Kwajalein and Roi-Namur, rest in peace. The home front, burning with anger for vengeance, is rising.”

At 12:30 p.m. he arrived at the Gapyeong Mine office. He immediately heard a summary of the mine from Director Shōji of Asano Cement, then a detailed explanation of the current situation from Director Taniguchi. As usual, he asked questions about management and labor administration. He entered the mine tunnel, addressed the workers: “Men, do your best!” and encouraged them. Afterwards, he inspected workers’ housing and cautioned management to “study labor issues more thoroughly.”

Once again he descended the mountain by truck. At 3:50 p.m. he arrived at Cheongpyeong Power Plant, listened to explanations, and at 4:30 p.m. inspected the Government Fish Hatchery at Cheongpyeong. At 5:00 p.m. he entered the Oeseo-myeon (외서면, 外西面) office, received a report on local conditions, and gave instructions to township (myeon) staff and police officers.

A major defect of administration in Korea is that grassroots governance has not fully penetrated. No matter how hard Koiso strives, no matter how much the governor studies, it is useless unless the township (myeon) officials, who directly contact the people, do their work properly. The township and the police must cooperate in harmony.

Thus ended the third day of encouragement and inspection. He returned to the residence at 7:30 p.m.

Photo: Governor-General Koiso gets into a truck at Gapyeong Mine

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) October 29, 1943

“Tell Me Anything”: A Paternal Concern for Grassroots Administration
Governor-General Koiso’s Lightning Inspection of a Rural Village

Reported by Special Correspondent Sakamoto from Masan

Not long after leaving Samcheonpo, Governor-General Koiso’s car once again came to a stop. Because the schedule for this inspection tour was deliberately kept secret, the car often halted at unexpected places. This time it was at Yeha (예하, 禮下), a model hamlet in Jeonchon Township, Jinyang County (진양, 晉陽). Guided by County Governor Takashima and Hamlet Federation Chairman Toriyama, the Governor-General entered the hamlet office. He then listened for about forty minutes as Chairman Toriyama explained the hardships and efforts behind the hamlet’s construction and management.

As befitting a model hamlet, facilities such as a communal bathhouse and a daycare center were in place. Standing with Chairman Toriyama on a rice-paddy path, Governor-General Koiso remarked:

“The cotton seems to be growing very well, but are you not planting too much of it? It is not that cotton is unnecessary, but right now food is more important. Even if cotton must be reduced, food must be secured. How many bolls does one stalk bear?”

He engaged Chairman Toriyama in a detailed, technically informed conversation. Then he shifted the subject to ask closely about the state of material distribution.

“Is there anything troubling you? Feel free to tell me even when the Governor or the Chief of Police are present. If you have any requests, speak directly to me,”

he said with heartfelt sincerity. Deeply moved, Toriyama’s face flushed, and he struggled to find words.

The Governor-General continued:

“From now on, I want you to be the central figure in your hamlet and build it into the finest model hamlet in all of Korea. If there is something you cannot handle alone, consult with your township (myeon) leader. If the myeon leader cannot manage it, then go to the county governor or even the provincial governor. And if even then there is some matter unresolved, do not hesitate—consult with me directly.”

To Governor-General Koiso, who ceaselessly strove for administrative penetration to the very grassroots, the heartfelt zeal of an obscure Hamlet Federation Chairman for village management must have been truly gratifying. Chairman Toriyama was overcome with emotion.

The Governor-General pressed further:

“Do you grow potatoes?”
“Yes, we do.”
“And how do you store them?”
“We build a rack in our home’s ondol (heated floor system) and pile them there.”
“That risks rotting, does it not? Is there not a way to store them in greater quantity and for longer periods?”
“We have a communal storage facility just ahead.”
“I see. Then let me have a look.”

With a gentle gaze meeting the moist eyes of the moved Chairman Toriyama, the Governor-General returned to his car. His conviction remained firm: the farmers were dependable, the farmers were the soundest element of society. In this place too, that conviction was scarcely betrayed. Thinking constantly of food production increases and never allowing himself a moment’s rest, Governor-General Koiso’s car once again sped forward at arrow-like speed.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年2月26日

”面と警察が仲よく”

総督、外西面で末端行政を説く

総督がトラックに乗って山を視察した。これは一片の茶飲み話ではない。戦力物資の生産が行われるところ、どのような山奥にでも出かけて行って、産業戦士を慰問激励少しでも戦力の増強に資しようという小磯総督の固い決意と、総督にこのような決意を起させた戦局の重大性を認識せねばならない。激戦は此処にも展開されているのだ。

銃後の第一線に米英撃滅の怒りを爆発させに出かける総督の陣頭指揮だ。数々の勲功を語る略綬がみすぼらしい運営台に燦と輝いている。二十五日、小磯総督は瀬戸京畿道知事、小林秘書官を帯同して午前九時三十分官邸発、加平郡雪岳面の浅野セメント加平石綿鉱山に向った。

旧漢江水電の清平ダムが出来るまでは河を渡れなかったので、この地方には郡守にも遂に一度も足を踏み入れずに過ごした者があったほどの山奥である。

十一時雪岳面事務所着。韓山郡守と桑名警察署長の出迎えを受けて事務所に入り、管内情況の報告を受け面吏員に訓示を行った。

『どうかな面長さん、錬成やっとるかい』といった。ざっくばらんな調子である。総督は錬成の本質を説き、『農業生産には地主さんというものがよく働いてもらわねばならぬ。面は大衆に接する行政の末端であるから、しっかりやってもらいたい。それには治められる者の身になってよく人々の世話をすることだ』と易々しく説明する。

十一時過ぎ車を替えてトラックに乗る。総督は運転手の横にドッカと坐って前方を睨む。何を見つめているのだろう。恐らく心ではこう云っていたであろう。

『クエゼリン、ルオットに散華せる勇士よ、安らかに眠れ。復仇の怒りに燃える銃後は立ち上がっているぞ』

十二時三十分、加平鉱山事務所着、直ちに浅野セメント荘司理事から山の概略を聞き、更に谷口所長から現況について詳細な説明を聴取した。そのあとで例によって経営、労務管理に対する質問を発する。坑道に入る。労務者に訓示。『諸君しっかりやって下さい』と激励する。そして後に労務者の住宅を見て山を辞したが、『労務者の問題をもっと研究するように』と注意を与える。

再びトラックで山を降って、三時五十分清平発電所着、説明を聞き、四時三十分清平の総督府養魚場を視察。五時外西面事務所に入って管内情況を聴取し、面吏員、警察官を訓示する。

朝鮮に於ける統理の一大欠陥は末端行政が十分に滲透していないことだ。小磯が如何に努力しても、また知事がどんなに勉強しても何にもならないので、大衆に直接接触する面の方々がしっかりやってもらわねばならぬ。面と警察とが仲よくせねばならないのです。

こうして激励と視察の第三日は終わった。七時半帰邸。

【写真＝トラックに乗り込む小磯総督ー加平鉱山にて】

京城日報 1943年10月29日

何でも私に話せ：末端行政に細かい親心
小磯総督農村を電撃視察

【馬山にて坂本特派員】三千浦を出て間もなく小磯総督の自動車がまたとまった。何処を視るのか最初から予定を伏せている視察行だけに時ならぬ所でよく停まる。此処は晋陽郡井村面礼下模範部落だ。高島郡守、鳥山部落聯盟理事長の案内で部落の事務所に入った。鳥山理事長から部落の建設経営苦心談を約四十分に亘って聴取する。

模範部落だけあって共同浴場、託児所などの施設が整っている。田の畔道に小磯総督は鳥山理事長と並んで立った。

『綿花が非常によく出来ているようだが、作付段別が多過ぎはしないかね。綿が不必要というのではないが、それよりも現在は食糧の方がより大切だ。綿を減らしてでも食糧を確保しなければならない。これは一本に幾つ実をつけるかね』と専門的知識を傾けて鳥山理事長と綿々問答。今度は話題を変えて物資の配給状況をこまごまと訊ねる。そして、『何か困っていることはないかね。知事さんや警察部長さんがいても宜いから、希望があったら私に話しなさい』と真情こめて語れば鳥山理事長は感極まったが顔を火照りして言葉をつまらせる。

『今後とも部落の中心人物となって全鮮一の模範部落を作って貰いたい。自分で出来ないことがあったなら面長さんに相談しなさい。面長さんで駄目なら郡守さんでも知事さんでも宜しい。それでも判らない問題があったら遠慮はいらないから私に相談しなさい』と総督はいう。行政の末端滲透を希求して止まない小磯総督にとって名もない一部落聯盟理事長の部落経営に対する熱情はこよなく嬉しかったに違いない。鳥山理事長はただただ感激するばかり。総督は更に話をついで、

『芋は出来るかね』
『出来ます』
『貯蔵の方法は』
『自宅の温突に柵を作ってそこに載せています』
『そんなことでは腐る恐れがあるんじゃないかね。もっと沢山長期に貯蔵出来る方法はないかね』
『部落の共同貯蔵所がこの先にあります』

『そうかね、では見せて貰おう』と感激にうるむ鳥山理事長の眼差しを優しく見返しながら自動車の人となった。農民は宜しい。農民はもっとも健実だという総督の抱懐はここでも殆ど裏切られることがなかったのであろう。食糧増産を念じて心休まる暇とてない小磯総督を乗せて自動車はまたも矢のようなスピードで驀進する。

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive