Model Korean mother left baby and bedridden husband behind at home to work as a clerk for Imperial Japanese Army, praised by boss for happily working overtime, early morning to late at night for 1/3 the usual pay without complaining, even when so exhausted she couldn't see straight (Feb. 1944)

Original caption: Mrs. Ahn reviewing the de-registration records.

This article features Mrs. Ahn, a Seoul native, who in the midst of war, leaves behind her baby and bedridden husband to work as a clerk for the Imperial Japanese Army, presumably handling paperwork for newly enlisted soldiers. Notably, her 7-year-old daughter is tasked with caring for her 2-year-old son, a decision that seems quite extreme by today's standards.

Initially, I surmised that Mrs. Ahn was married to a Japanese man with the surname Hirahara, as they were wed ten years prior to 1944, in 1934. This was before the Sōshi Kaimei, the period when Koreans adopted Japanese-style names en masse. However, I now harbor doubts about this assumption. The reason for my skepticism lies in the name of their son, Huichang, which is so distinctively Korean. This raises the possibility that the newspaper may have 'retroactively' claimed that the family went by the Hirahara name in 1934, even though they might not have adopted that name yet at that time.

Mrs. Ahn's portrayal in the article brings to mind the iconic Rosie the Riveter from the U.S. World War II era. However, unlike Rosie, who symbolized the American women working in manufacturing and production during the war, Mrs. Ahn is depicted as a clerk. Yet, both characters represent women stepping into roles traditionally held by men due to the demands of a global conflict. Mrs. Ahn is shown working longer, harder, and more efficiently than her colleagues, while accepting only a third of the standard pay. By contemporary standards, this portrayal seems to endorse a very toxic work culture, one that valorizes excessive work hours, underpayment, and overwhelming workloads, all in the name of national duty and conservation during the war. It makes me wonder just how much of an impact Imperial Japan's legacy might have had in shaping the work cultures of modern Japanese and Korean societies.

Such representations of 'model workers' were not uncommon in propaganda campaigns globally, but Imperial Japan's approach, particularly its praise for workers who eagerly accept lower wages on top of longer working hours, might be quite unique. Have you ever encountered any other piece of propaganda, anywhere in the world, where the model worker is praised for accepting lower wages?

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 5, 1944

Taking Over for Her Sick Husband, Mrs. Ahn Fights Three Times as Hard in Public Service

Working Women [Part 6]

Mrs. Ahn was at home where the warmth of the ondol barely kept the chill at bay. After putting her ten-month-old baby to sleep and attending to her bedridden husband, she boldly declared, 'To defeat the British and American beasts, I must devote myself to public service with all my might!' She cast aside her traditional role and, holding a pen in her hand at the Yongsan District Office, she impressively completed 120 copies of family register transcripts per day, astonishing her male colleagues with her patriotic fervor as a Korean woman.

Mrs. Ahn Gi-jeong (안기정, 安基貞), a 28-year-old resident of Jongno-gu, Doryeom-dong, was born in Seoul, the heart of the Korean Peninsula. She honed her virtues of a good wife and wise mother at the prestigious Gyeonggi Girls High School. Ten years ago, she married into the Hirahara family, building an enviable and harmonious household. Unexpectedly, a few years ago, her husband, the pillar of their family, fell ill. However, with determination and grit, she tirelessly cared for him through the nights without sleep, bravely battling through the ordeal of nursing him to health. Through her tireless care, he is on the path to recovery, just as the massive cannons of the annihilation campaign against the Anglo-Saxons are tearing through heaven and earth like thunderclouds booming on a clear day. In this era, men born in the Empire resoundingly march through the military gates to the beat of their military boots, while women, in place of men, sweat profusely on the production frontlines. She, too, is a woman of the Empire.

Her patriotic sincerity blazes like a flame, which led her to put an end to her indoor, anbang life. 'If my husband cannot serve, I will work twice as hard in his place,' she declared, looking resolute in her navy blue office uniform. Last summer, amid the rainy season, she took up a position in the Yongsan District Office's Family Register and Military Affairs Section. Comforting her two-year-old son, Huichang (희창, 煕昶), who clung to her and refused to leave her breast, she entrusted him to the care of her seven-year-old daughter, Aehui (애희, 愛姫). Starting work at her desk in the district office early in the morning, she immerses herself in her intense job at the office, staying well past 5 PM when most of the office employees leave work. Due to the current state of affairs, the Family Register and Military Affairs Section is so busy that they would even welcome the help of a cat's paw, making it not uncommon for her special duties to continue late into the night.

A glance at her attendance book shows it filled with red marks, half of which are overlaid with a purple stamp indicating 'special duty'. Her physical frame may be slender, but her spirit is robust; she has not missed a single day, akin to the diligence of an ox. Although it is not rare for employees to be diligent, she stands out for processing a large volume of 120 transcripts a day with lightning speed. Moreover, it is astonishing that, unlike the clock’s hands that may err, her writing is completely free of mistakes.

Mr. Tokumaru, the chief of the Family Register and Military Affairs Section, his cheeks flushed with emotion, said, 'If we were to pay a copywriter five sen per page for the amount of work Mrs. Ahn does in a month, it would cost 180 yen in monthly wages. However, Mrs. Ahn's salary is about a third of that. It’s not about the financial bottom line, but it can be considered a way of saving the expenses of the nation in wartime. Mrs. Ahn herself never dreams of criticizing the compensation for her skills. She minimizes her own living expenses and silently spreads fireworks at the tip of her pen. She is truly a treasure of our district office and an example of selfless public service'.

Mrs. Ahn, who passionately speaks of her patriotism for the Korean Peninsula, humbly says, 'When I return home after special duty, sometimes I am so tired that the telephone poles seem to double when I look at them. However, when I think of the brave soldiers of the Imperial Army, who, despite gunfire and heavy rain, fight with the lightness of goose feathers and wield demon-slaying swords in order to accomplish the grand undertaking of this unprecedented era, my fatigue seems insignificant. I fervently wish that more Korean women will take up the important task of supporting the holy war effort, and courageously spread sparks of struggle on the battleline of the workplace.' [Photo = Mrs. Ahn reviewing the de-registration records]

Industrial Association Discussion: At Yongsan Station, a regular discussion meeting was held in the instruction room at 2 PM on February 5th, inviting 170 members of the Seoul Iron and Steel Industrial Association to ensure full preparation for increased production.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年2月5日

病床の夫に代りで奉公

人の三倍も闘い抜く安さん

はたらく女性【６】

肌に粟の生ずる温突に、産声をあげて十ヶ月の幼児と病床の夫をねかし『米鬼英畜を撃つには、公務に粉骨砕身すべきだ』と颯爽と旧套をぬぎすて龍山区役所でペンを握り一日戸籍抄本百二十枚を書きのけ、有髯の男子を唖然たらしめる愛国半島女性がいる。

鐘路区都染町安基貞さん（二八）は半島の心臓部京城に生れ秀才の集る京畿高女で良妻賢母の婦徳を磨き、十年前に平原氏に嫁ぎ、よそ目もうらやましい和やかな家庭を築いて来たが意外にも数年前、大黒柱である主人が病み出した。歯を食いしばって夜も眠らず看病に敢闘した甲斐あって、日に日に見違えるほど恢復路を辿りつつある際、晴天にとどろいた群雲の如くアングロサクソン撃滅の巨砲は天地をつんざき、皇国に生をうけた男子は軍靴の響き高らかに軍門をくぐり、女性は男に代って生産戦線に熱汗を流す時代となった。彼女も皇国女性である。

愛国の至誠は焰と燃えあがり、遂に内房生活を清算したのである。『主人が御奉公出来ねば、私がその代り二倍も働こう』と紺の事務服姿も凛々しく龍山区役所戸籍兵務課に職を奉じたのは梅雨のふりしきる昨夏のことであった。乳房を離れまいと泣きつく煕昶君（二つ）をなだめては七つになる姉、愛姫ちゃんにおんぶさせて家をあとにし、早朝から区役所の机にかじりつき、血のにじむ激務に没頭するのだ。夕刻五時には一般職員は退庁するものの、時局柄戸籍兵務課は猫の手も借りたいほど忙しいので深夜まで特勤のつづく日も稀ではない。

出勤簿をのぞいて見れば赤印で埋まり、その赤印の半数は『特勤』と紫印が重ねて押されている。線は細いが精神力は旺盛なのか、一日も欠勤はないという牛のように勤勉な職員は決して珍しくないが、一日に抄本を百二十枚の多量を電光石火のように処理するのは花形安さんだけという。而も時計の針には、くるいがあっても安さんの字には誤字が皆無というから、なお驚く。

徳丸戸籍兵務課長は感激に両頬を紅潮させる乍ら語る。『安さんが一ヶ月働く仕事の量を一枚書くのに五銭をはらって雇う写字生に頼むと百八十円の月給をはらうことになるが、安さんの俸給はその三分の一位で、ソロバン勘定ではないが、決戦下国費の節約ともいえます。当の安さんは自分の技術に対する報酬の批判は夢にもせず自己の生活は最小限に切り下げ黙々とペン先に花火を散らす彼女こそ我が区役所の宝であり、滅私奉公の亀鑑でしょう』

愛国半島のため万丈の気焰を吐く安さんは謙遜して語る。『特勤して帰宅の際は疲れたせいか、電信柱が二つに見える時もありますが、しかし曠世の鴻業を完遂せんがために硝煙強雨のなか身を鴻毛の軽きにおき、降魔の利剣をふるう皇軍勇士を考えれば何ともありません。半島女性も一日も早く一人でも多く、聖業翼賛の重責を双肩に担い、勇躍職場戦線に敢闘の火花を散らすよう熱願しております』【写真＝除籍簿を調べる安さん】

工業組員懇談：龍山署では五日昼二時訓示室に京城鉄工工業組合百七十名を招き、定例懇談会を開催。増産陣の万全を期することになった。

Source: https://archive.org/details/kjnp-1944-02-05/page/n3/mode/1up

I finally accessed the 1945 Keijo Nippo (Gyeongseong Ilbo) archives in-person at the National Library of Korea - Korean employees apparently rebelled against their Japanese bosses in Nov. 1945 and took over news operations until the last issue published on Dec. 11, 1945

For over two years, I have been passionately posting about Keijo Nippo (Gyeongseong Ilbo), a newspaper from the Japanese colonial era of Korea. My posts have covered transcriptions and translations of numerous articles, shedding light on the oppression and humiliation experienced by the Korean people under Japanese colonial rule.

My primary source had been an archive on the Internet Archive which was anonymously uploaded there in 2021. However, it had its limitations. Notably, the entire 1945 collection was missing, and many pages were either illegible due to poor scan quality or page deterioration.

I am finally in Seoul, enjoying my much-postponed vacation. While I am indulging in the delightful food scene and visiting the main tourist attractions, the highlights of my trip so far have been meeting my old violin teacher Mr. Simon Kim, whom I had last met 34 years ago as an elementary school, and spending a day at the National Library of Korea. To many, a library might not be a tourist attraction, but for me, it was a treasure trove. I was eager to see how the tone of Keijo Nippo evolved through 1945, marking the surrender of Imperial Japan, the liberation of Korea, and the onset of the US and Soviet occupation of the Korean peninsula.

I am elated to share that I successfully accessed the newspaper volumes I sought. With the assistance of the English-speaking staff, I obtained a library card, and after an hour-long wait, I was handed the volumes in the reference room on the third floor. However, I discovered that these volumes were just reproductions of scanned copies, and not the original copies. Nonetheless, some pages were of superior quality compared to the Internet Archive. I also managed to scan numerous articles from 1939 to 1943. Unfortunately, the 1944 articles were generally of poorer quality than those on the Internet Archive.

The volumes of Keijo Nippo that I browsed.

The pages from August 15, 1945, onwards were particularly moving. This period marked the day of Korean liberation and the surrender of Imperial Japan. The newspaper's tone shifted dramatically, from calls for calm to announcements of Japanese repatriation, to becoming a mouthpiece for the American occupation. The stark contrast in the portrayal of Americans, from being vilified to celebrated, was striking.

But the most astonishing discovery was from November 1945. The Korean employees at Keijo Nippo apparently rebelled against their Japanese superiors and took over the newspaper's operations. As the ethnic Japanese staff bid their farewells in their statement in the November 1st issue, the Korean staff issued a statement in the November 2nd issue, pledging to continue writing in Japanese but with a renewed purpose - to uplift the Korean nation. This "Rogue Keijo Nippo" introduced many novelties, like Korean cartoons, which had never been in Keijo Nippo before, and they subtly Koreanized the Japanese language that they used. For example, they used 日人 instead of 日本人 for Japanese, and used 美軍 instead of 米軍 for US military. The rogue columnists wrote lots of essays directed at the remaining ethnic Japanese who were still not repatriated, condemning the "Japanese-Korean unification" ideology, Japanese imperialism and militarism, and Japanese supremacism that they had to endure for all these years. It seemed like they were expressing their pent-up frustrations and emotions that had been suppressed for a long time. Indeed, they were certainly harnessing their mastery of the Japanese language to tell us their true feelings for the first time. It did personally feel uncanny, since it felt like I was opening a time capsule, and I was discovering a message that was addressed to me, as if they wanted their voice to be heard in our world in 2023.

Many pages were like this, completely illegible

I amassed a sizeable collection of snapshots of newspaper pages, but I will gradually transcribe and translate all my intriguing finds as time allows. I extend my gratitude to the library staff who were accommodating, even allowing me to photograph the materials, which was technically prohibited. This was a stark contrast to my experience at the National Diet Library in Tokyo, where photography was strictly forbidden, and I had to use their copy service.

I remain hopeful that these invaluable newspapers will be digitized in high resolution in the future, making them accessible to everyone without the need for a physical visit.

Imperial Japan had postwar plans to quadruple Japanese settlers in Korea to dominate the most technologically intensive industries, and suppress Korean access to higher education to quell 'dissatisfaction' (June 1943)

I recently came across two intriguing news articles from the Japanese colonial period of Korean history that shed light on the intricacies of the colonial government's decision-making process. The goal was clear: they aimed to increase the number of ethnic Japanese people in Korea from 700,000 to a whopping 4 million to solidify Imperial Japan's colonial control over Korea. However, their approach to achieving this was not without its contradictions.

While the officials wished to increase the number of college-educated Koreans to boost industrial production, they were wary of producing too many. An oversaturated job market could lead to a surge of unemployed college graduates, sparking potential discontent.

Simultaneously, the resettlement of educated Japanese into Korea was to provide staffing for the newly developed industries. Yet, they had to strike a balance as overpopulation of these industries could have led to staffing shortages back in Japan.

Furthermore, they faced a dichotomy in their approach to supporting businesses. On one side, there was a desire to extend aid to existing small and medium-sized businesses to ensure their survival (maintenance and nurturing), and on the other side, resources were to be expended to usher in new businesses (expansion).

The postwar immigration policy of the colonial regime, as discussed in these articles, would have seen the settlement of over 3 million additional Japanese people into Korea. Most would have been employed in the most technologically intensive industries, and a significant number of Japanese farmers would have settled in the Korean countryside. Consequently, educational opportunities and job prospects would have been far more limited for Koreans than for the Japanese settlers, exacerbating existing ethnic inequality and discrimination.

What is both revealing and disturbing is that the phrase 'treated as Koreans' from the text was indicative of mistreatment. This phrase underlines the generalized notion that Koreans were not treated well, and surprisingly, colonial officials openly admitted to this discrimination happening in Japan.

Interestingly, there are also depictions of Korean cultural practices, such as upper-class Koreans not smoking unless elders permit them to, not using the term 'goodbye,' and subordinates speaking to superiors while standing over them. As someone not intimately familiar with these traditions, I would love to hear from our Korean members about the accuracy of these descriptions.

I'm sharing these articles to provide some context to the complex dynamics of the colonial period and invite thoughtful conversation. As always, let's keep exploring these issues.

Panelists from the colonial government in the roundtable discussion

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) June 19, 1943

A real look into the Korean Peninsula at war

Roundtable discussion with executives at the Interior Ministry of the Governor-General's Office (Part 5)

Take care to understand the differences in the customs of the upper-class households

Kōtaki Motoi, Director of the Production Bureau: In Korea, too, there are polite individuals in irritating households that have been brought up in Confucianism for generations. In such households, family members refrain from smoke in front of their elders. Unless explicitly given permission by their parents, children wouldn't even dare smoke if offered cigarettes as guests. It seems such strict manners are prevalent in the upper-class households of Korea. But such customs do not permeate the entire society. Furthermore, these customs can be strikingly different from those practiced in mainland Japan. For instance, in my household, I employ a maidservant who, according to Korean etiquette, stands and speaks even when the master is sitting. In other words, the maidservant stands up to speak while looming over her master. After speaking, she kneels down, places her hands on the floor, and then leaves without uttering a goodbye, because it is deemed inappropriate to sit together with the master. It is strange, but a simple phrase like "goodbye" do not exist. When the conversation ends, Koreans just bow silently and leave.

Nakai Kazuo, a member of the Interior Ministry and the Parliament: Evidently, the cultural differences are immense.

Shiota Seikō, Director of Department of Rural Villages: As Nakai-san previously pointed out, there is a prevalent belief that uneducated Koreans tend to migrate to mainland Japan, creating negative sentiments among the Japanese. However, this is not entirely true. Many educated Koreans also move to mainland Japan. However, when Koreans go to mainland Japan, they are generally treated as Koreans. Then, when those Koreans return to Korea, they tell others that mainland Japanese are extremely outrageous and have a sense of superiority. That is why we need to distinguish between the good ones and the bad ones.

Mr. Nakai: Speaking candidly about the student problem, I think it may be necessary to dissuade Korean youth from attending specialized schools or higher, such as law schools. Especially now, competition is fierce since many people want to enter specialized schools or higher in mainland Japan. One must be very competent to be able to enter such schools, but the problem is what happens after graduation. For example, it's quite difficult to be hired as a public servant regardless of whether you are Korean or Japanese. Dissatisfaction arises. Receiving a higher education may cause mental distress, and I think it may lead to very negative outcomes.

Director Shiota: Even if those with aspirations in technical fields go to schools in mainland Japan and acquire skills, when they return to Korea, there is a delicate issue in that the factories and mines in Korea are unable to accommodate them all.

Mr. Nakai: In fact, even in mainland Japan, we are now saying, "Close down the specialized schools or higher that are not directly useful for this war". The trend is moving in that direction. Ideologically, I think it would be good to strongly recommend a vocational education to our Korean compatriots as much as possible. Before, I thought that it would be good to have the Koreans work in the fields of science and engineering and have Korea be developed mainly by the hands of Koreans. But hearing your story, Director Shiota, it appears that the situation isn't that simple.

Yamana Mikio, Chief of the Documentation Division: We are focusing on giving the Koreans a practical education in junior high schools and below.

Morita Masayoshi, member of the Interior Ministry: There are 700,000 mainland Japanese and 24 million Korean people. Therefore, the 700,000 will have to lead the 24 million, but I think this number is small. Some people say that there must be at least 4 million mainland Japanese people on the Korean peninsula. Then, what are the strategies for increasing this number, and how should we proceed?

Mr. Nakai: I would like to approach this issue from the following perspective. The main theme of this provisional conference is enterprise reinforcement and production increase, with a particular focus on resolving the food shortage problem. I would like to further explore the relationship between enterprise reinforcement, the Governor-General's Office, and its impact on the Korean peninsula, before proceeding to tackle the current problem...

Director Kōtaki: In Korea, there are no enterprises similar to those in mainland Japan, either currently or under planning. That is what I meant when I said earlier that Korea is still a child. Therefore, we are not considering tackling the issues that mainland Japan is thinking about in a big way. Labor issues are being seriously considered, but the primary labor sources in Korea have traditionally been the rural areas. Small and medium-sized businesses in Korea are not primary labor sources, and they are something that we need to advance from now on. But even if we try to reinforce the small and medium-sized businesses in Korea now, I don't think that it will have much effect. Instead, we must expand the businesses, depending on what they are. Accordingly, the maintenance and nurturing of small and medium-sized businesses in Korea is what we have been doing so far.

Mainland Japan has alternated between the maintenance and nurturing phase and the reorganization phase, and as it enters the decisive stage of this great war, it is about to actively enter a reinforcement phase. In contrast, Korea has consistently been in the maintenance and nurturing phase from beginning to end, as the Governor-General's Office says, but actual problems cannot be solved this way. A growing sentiment of discontent is emerging. (to be continued...)

Welcoming the Desired Excellence in Technology, Immigration of Mainland Japanese Farmers also Welcome (June 20)

Director Kōtaki: One of the compelling reasons for maintaining and nurturing small and medium-sized businesses in Korea is that the relatively large population of mainland Japanese people who come to Korea is engaged in such industries. We can't easily rationalize and consolidate these, so we have been focusing on maintaining and nurturing them as before. However, this cannot continue indefinitely. For example, if the textile industry in mainland Japan is developed, then the flow of people from mainland Japan to Korea will drastically decrease. There is also a large proportion of mainland Japanese people involved in wholesaling. As the products handled by the wholesalers gradually decrease, there are concerns about wholesaling businesses imploding in various areas.

The production of daily necessities sold in Korea is still very scarce in Korea. We are heavily reliant on production in Osaka and other places in mainland Japan. If production in mainland Japan can't keep up, then products will become even scarcer in Korea. At this stage, we are backed into a corner, so we need to do something and take some measures to support small and medium-sized businesses. That's why we are preparing this budget. I can't say that it's the same for the whole industry, but as you know, the production of daily necessities is not enough today. We have aimed to make Korea an Asian continental military base. We consider this our mission, and in some respects, we are proud of it. In that sense, even small businesses in Korea will be run by mainland Japanese people. In the future, the lives of Koreans will become more Japanized, and the consumer goods consumed by mainland Japanese people and Korean people will become the same. Naturally, since there are transportation difficulties in sending daily necessities to the Asian continent, such as Northern China, Manchuria, or small places like Kwantung Leased Territory, we want each place to be self-sufficient. That's why we want Korea to supply itself with everything on a comprehensive basis. From that point of view, the time for reorganization has not yet come, and a considerable number of industries have already relocated here from mainland Japan due to the urgent need in Korea. I think there are more than 200 firms that have already relocated here, but I think we still have to grow more. However, even if we manage to find the funds and labor necessary for growth, the raw materials cannot be readily procured from mainland Japan. That's why we have to produce such raw materials in Korea.

Creating new factories will inevitably lead to idle facilities. However, it is also necessary use this opportunity to bring excellent technology from mainland Japan to Korea to make it a supply base for the Asian continent. Integration with excellent technology will be good for the businesses themselves. So it's not that we don't have to reorganize the industry at all. It's just that I think that we still need to keep encouraging small and medium-sized businesses.

Mr. Morita: So, in conclusion, it's going to be difficult to increase the number mainland Japanese people in Korea, who currently number 700,000?

Director Kōtaki: It's difficult, but if possible, I want to bring excellent technology to Korea. Electrochemical industries and light metal industries are going to expand rapidly. By having everyone from middle-level technicians, public servants, high-level technicians to lower-level leaders come in from mainland Japan, I think the overall technology level of Korea will improve, so I think we need to continue to bring in more people.

Also in rural areas, it would be very good if we could settle more mainland Japanese people, but since the situation now is such that Korean youths are helping out with farming in mainland Japan, I think it may be difficult.

Director Shiota: Having farmers from mainland Japan come here for the expansion and improvement of agricultural productivity would be very good. Such models exist here and there. For instance, it has been over ten years since about one hundred graduates from Katō Kanji's higher elementary school settled in the area along the route from Seoul to Wonsan. Furthermore, about one hundred and fifty children are currently attending the higher elementary school. These people truly embody the spirit of hard work. They built their own fancy homes, apparently made of brick, by employing Chinese laborers while they themselves also worked and earned wages. Even the Chinese laborers were astounded and claimed that they were more skilled than themselves. [laughter] They are farmers who have a very developed hard working spirit.

There's another instance of two brothers who received the same education and settled in a deserted mountain near Mount Kongō. Initially, when they started planting deciduous pine trees and corn on the mountain, the Korean people mocked them, questioning what could be achieved in such a place. However, nowadays, everyone is following their example and planting corn. Models like these exist in various places. The worst are the so-called 'haori peasants' who act like landlords and employ laborers for farming. They even buy their vegetables from the Chinese, so some of them are gradually becoming unsuccessful.

In Korea, there are quite a few immigrants who came through the Oriental Development Company, some of whom have been successful, while others have not. To name some recent outstanding cases, people from mainland Japan are coming to Korea and growing sweet potatoes. We thought the best yield in Korea would be about 200 kan [750 kg] per tan [~0.25 acre, ~0.1 hectare], but there are places in Gongju where the yield is 960 kan [3,600 kg]. Surrounding areas have all turned to sweet potato farming, and Chungcheongnam-do's sweet potato seedlings are in high demand. I believe that it's better to bring in one mainland Japanese farmer to Korea than to bring in ten mainland Japanese technicians. That's why I'm trying to bring in about 50 families of mainland Japanese farmers who have received an education like Katō Kanji's, but with the current situation, many farmers find it increasingly difficult to live in Korea and are leaving. There are various reasons, but young men are increasingly being drafted and dying in the war. If they stay in mainland Japan, relatives can somehow lend a hand, but here in Korea, there's nothing they can do, so some of them return to mainland Japan. Regardless of whether bringing in young, vigorous individuals from mainland Japan would work or not, there is a considerable demand for mainland Japanese farmers to settle in Korean rural areas.

I recently visited a place where there were eight households of mainland Japanese farmers, nine of whom had soldiers who were conscripted for war. In one household, a 16-year-old child was all alone, making a seedbed. In one irrigation association district, it seems everyone is trying to help in various ways, but it still seems daunting. Even though good farmers have come, there's no way to retain them. There is nothing better than to bring in mainland Japanese farmers, because it's certain that things will improve this way. (to be continued...)

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年6月19日

決戦半島の真姿

内務省委員総督府幹部対談会（5）

上流家庭では厳格理解せよ、習慣の違い

上瀧基、殖産局長：朝鮮でも先祖代々儒教で育ったやかましい家には行儀正しいものもある。そういう家では例えば目上の人の前で煙草は喫まない。親子で来た客などに煙草をすすめても親が喫めといわない限りは喫まない。朝鮮でも上流家庭ではそういう厳格な作法があるようだ。ところが一般社会にそういうことはない。もう一つは若しそういう厳格なものがあったとしても、それが内地の場合と全然正反対なことがある。例えば私の家に女中を使っているが、朝鮮の流儀から言うと主人が坐っている時でも女中は立ったまま物を言うことが礼儀で、目上の人には立ちはだかって物を言う。手をついて『さようなら』を言わずにすっと立ち上がって言う。主人と同座ではいけないということなのだ。それから妙なことであるが、『さようなら』というような簡単な言葉がない。話がきれると、だまってお辞儀して帰ってしまう。

中井一夫・内務省委員・衆議院議員：非常に違ったところがあるのですね。

塩田正洪、農村局長：先程中井さんの仰有ったことの中に、内地にどうも教養の低い者が来るので内地人としてもいい感情が湧かんというお話であったが、実際は相当に教養のある者もいるわけである。ところが内地に行ってみると、一概に朝鮮人として扱われる。そこで今度は朝鮮に帰って来た連中は、どうも内地人は優越感を持っていて不埒千万だというようなことにもなる。いい分子と悪い分子との見さかいをつけて頂くことが必要だ。

中井氏：学生問題に就いて率直に言うと、私は朝鮮の青年を余り専門学校以上の法科というような学校にはやらないように仕向けることも必要ではないかと思う。殊に今は内地でも専門学校以上の学校には入学志願者が殺到していて非常な競争である。それに来て入学出来るというのは余程出来る人に違いないけれども、卒業後のことが一つの悩みである。例えば官公吏の採用問題でも、内鮮人を問わず余程困難だ。そこに不平が起る。高い養育を受けたために却って精神的な煩悶を来すということになって、非常に悪い結果を齎すようなことにもなると思う。

塩田局長：技術者方面でも志を立てて内地の学校に行って技術を修得していざ朝鮮に帰って来ても、工場鉱山では全部収容の余地がないとそこにデリケートな問題があるわけである。

中井氏：実は、私共は今内地でも『この戦争に直接役立たない学校なんか専門学校以上のものは閉鎖して了え』と言っている。機運は大分そういう風に動いている。思想的ないろんな関係から見ても、半島同胞には出来るだけ職業教育を大いに推奨することがいいのではないかと思う。そうして理工科方面をやらせて朝鮮の開発は大いに半島同胞の手でやらすということがいいのではないかと思っておったのであるが、塩田さんのお話を聞くとそれも簡単には行かないわけですね。

山名酒喜男、文書課長：中等学校以下は実業教育一点張りでやっている。

森田正義、内務省委員：内地人七十万、半島人二千四百万、そうすると七十万が二千四百万を指導して行かなければならぬことになるが、これでは数が少ないと思う。或る人は少なくとも半島に四百万の内地人はいなければならんといっている。そうすると、これを殖やす方法及び持ってゆき方について何か対策は．．．

中井氏：その問題に就いては私はこういう所から承りたいと思う。それは今度の臨時議会の主題は企業整備及び生産力増強、殊に食糧問題の解決ということが重点であるから、企業整備と朝鮮総督府との関係、どういう影響が半島に及ぶかという問題をお聴きして、それから今の問題にはいって頂いたらどうかと思うが．．．

上瀧局長：朝鮮としては、内地が現にやるし、これからやらんとするような企業がまだない。それがつまり先刻申しました朝鮮がまだ子供だということである。であるから内地が考えておるような問題は大きく取り上げるということは考えていない。労力の問題が真剣に取り上げられて来ているが、従来朝鮮の労力の源泉は農村にある。朝鮮に於ける中小商工業は労力の源泉とはならず、寧ろこれから進めて行かなければならない。そういうものを今整備してみたところで、大して効果はないと思う。ものに依ってはもっと拡充しなければならん。したがって朝鮮に於ける中小商工業は維持育成であるということで今日まで来ておるわけである。

内地は或る時には維持育成、或る時には整理統合ということで来て、結局この大戦争の決戦段階に入って積極的に整備ということが取り上げられて来ているが、朝鮮は終始一貫維持育成で来ているところで実情はどうかと言うと、総督府は維持育成というが現実の問題はそれで済まない。我々をどうして呉れるのだという気持ちが出て来ている。（つづく）

欲しい優秀な技術、内地農家の移住も歓迎（6月20日）

上瀧局長：朝鮮で中小商工業の維持育成という一つの有力な理由としては、朝鮮に来ている内地人の比較的多い階層は中小商工業であるが、これをうかつなことで整理統合ということは出来ないので、従来之等に維持育成という方面に努力して来たのであるが、現状はいつまでもそれでは行けない。例えば内地で繊維産業が整備されて行くとすれば、今まで内地から朝鮮にはいっていたものがどんどん減る。卸に就いては相当内地人方面が多い。だんだん取り扱う商品が減って来るにしたがって自滅するのではないかと心配を各方面でしている。

朝鮮で販売されておる日常生活必需品の生産はまだまだ朝鮮では非常に少ない。大阪その他に多く依存している。それが内地でも足らなくなると朝鮮では益々少なくなって行く。こういう状態にある中小商工業に対して何等かの対策をとらなければならぬという追いつめられた段階に立って、なんとかしなければならないというので、そういう予算も出すことになっている。工業に就いても同じだとは言えぬが、生活必要品の製造業は御承知のように今日とても足らない。朝鮮はかねてから大陸兵站基地ということを目標にして、我々もそれを自任し、或る面に於いては自負して来ておる。そういった意味から朝鮮の小さいものでもそれが内地人の事業であり、また今後益々朝鮮人の生活は内地化され、内鮮人間の消費物資が共通して来るようになると自然、大陸方面に対してどうしても出したい生活必需品は北支、満州、或いは小さくいって関東州というような所でも、輸送の困難というようなことから、それぞれ自給自足をはかりたいということであるが、朝鮮としては、一歩出て全般的に何とかして供給したいという考えを持っている。そういう点からまだまだ整理の機会に至らず、そういった朝鮮の差し迫った必要からして既に内地から移駐して来た工業は相当の数になっている。二百以上もあるだろうと思う。しかしまだまだ殖やして行かなければならんと思う。しかし殖やすについてはそれ等に必要な資金とか労力は何とかするとしても、原材料は中中内地からは来ない。だから朝鮮でそういう原材料を生産して行かなければならない。

新しい工場をどんどん造ると遊休設備が出来ることになる。しかしこういう機会にこそ内地の優秀技術を朝鮮に入れて大陸の供給基地たらしめるということも必要である。技術のなってないものは優秀な技術に統合して行けば事業自体にもいい。だから工業の面でも全然整理しなくていいというのではないが、大体中小工業というようなものは、やはり奨励して行かなければならんじゃないかと考えている。

森田氏：そうすると結論として七十万の内地人を殖やすということは、中々難しいということになりますか。

上瀧局長：難しいのですが、出来れば優秀な技術を朝鮮に持って来たい。電気化学工業とか軽金属工業というようなものは、これからどんどん拡充されて行くわけで、そういう所の中堅技術者、公務員、ずっと上の高級技術者から下の方の幹部職工といったようなところまで、内地からどんどんはいって来ることに依って朝鮮全般の技術の程度も向上すると思うから、そういう方面にまだまだ入れなければならんと思う。

それから農村に於いても農村に内地人を植え付けるということは出来れば非常にいいことであるが、朝鮮の青年が内地に手伝いに行っている位であるから、これは言うべくして中々難しいと思う。

塩田局長：農業生産力の拡充増強に内地の農家が居ることは非常にいい。そういうモデルが方々にある。例えば京城から元山に行く途中に加藤完治さんの高等国民学校を出たのが百戸ばかり来ているが、もう十年以上になる。それからもう百五十人位子供が国民学校に通っている。これなんぞ本当に勤労精神の体得者で、自分達だけで家を造った、煉瓦造りみたようなしゃれた家ですが、それを支那人に請け負わして労力は自分達が雇われて行って人夫賃を貰った。さすがの支那人も舌を巻いて、我等よりうわ手だと言った（笑い声）それ位に勤労精神の発達した農民である。

もう一つはやはりそれと同じ教育を受けた者で、金剛山の近くで荒れた山に入った兄弟がある。最初は山に落葉松を植えたり玉蜀黍を植えたりしていると、それを見て朝鮮人が、「あんなところに何が出来るか」と言って嘲笑っていた。ところが近頃はみんなそれに倣って玉蜀黍を植えたりしている。そういうモデルは方々にある。一番いけないのは羽織百姓というやつで、地主気取りで労働者を使って農業をする。野菜も支那人から買うというようなので、だんだんいけなくなったのもある。

朝鮮では東拓の手を介して来た移民が相当にあるが、成功したのもあり、成功しないものもある。また極めく最近の例では内地人で朝鮮に来て薩摩藷作りをやっているのである。我々も朝鮮ではせいぜい反当り二百貫位がいいところだと思っていたが、公州で九百六十貫を挙げている所がある。その周囲は皆藷作りになって、忠南の藷の苗を一手に出しているが、そこで私は考える。技術者が十人居るよりも一人の農家を朝鮮に入れた方がいい。それで今加藤完治さんあたりの教育を受けた内地農家を五十戸位入れたいと思ってやっているが、こういう時勢になってだんだん住み難くくなって朝鮮を退散する農家が多くなった。いろんな事情もあるが、だんだん若い者は壮丁に取られて、戦死をしたというようなことになると、内地に居れば親族縁達が何とか手伝ってもくれるが、ここではどうにもならんというので帰るのもある。若盛りの者を内地から連れて来てうまく行くかどうか、朝鮮の農村でも内地農家を入れて貰いたいという声は相当にある。

この間に行った所では、内地農家が八戸あって、そこから九人も出征しておる。その中の一軒では誰もいないので十六になる子供が一人で苗床を作ってやっていた。水利組合地区でみんなで色々面倒を見ているらしいが、しかしそういうことでは心細いらしい。折角いい農家が来ても、それを足止めする方法がない。内地農家を入れるに越したことはない。必ずよくなるに決まっているのだから（つづく）

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-06-19

Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-06-20

Tourist groups visiting the historical sites of Buyeo (부여, 夫餘) had to perform 3 hours community service (road repair, water pipes, tree planting) under Imperial Army command and indoctrinated in 'Japanese-Korean Unification' propaganda with mandatory Shinto worship, no individual tourists allowed (1943)

This article is the last one in a series of three educational articles published by the colonial regime to promote a heavily biased narrative of Japanese and Korean history from mythological times to the fall of the Kingdom of Baekje in 660 A.D., which the regime used to justify its colonization of Korea. Since Buyeo was the historical capital of Baekje, the regime lavishly developed it as a propaganda tourist landmark to encourage Koreans to accept colonization by Imperial Japan the same way the Kingdom of Baekje allegedly accepted military and cultural exchange with Ancient Japan. Much of the tourist landmark development was spearheaded by the Korean Federation of National Power (国民総力朝鮮聯盟, 국민총력조선연맹), which functioned as the one and only political party of colonial Korea.

The first two articles of the series publish the regime's detailed historical narrative about ancient Japan and Korea (the translation is available here). This historical narrative was undoubtedly used to indoctrinate tour groups visiting Buyeo on 1-day, 1-night excursions.

In this third and last article, a reporter follows a tour group of 50 school girls from Seoul during their visit to Buyeo, who were here for regimented 'training' consisting of three hours of labor service (planting trees) and several hours of indoctrination, including a tour of the historical sites, mandatory Shinto worship rituals, and prayer. This included the morning Kyūjō Yōhai ritual (宮城遥拝), which involved deeply bowing several times in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo while standing, vowing loyalty to the Emperor.

The girls were closely monitored by staff, including the teacher and an Imperial Army major, who described himself as a fixture in the dormitory, which implied that he was constantly present while the girls were staying in the dormitory.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) April 21, 1943

Describing the Holy Land of Buyeo (Part 3)

Reviving the Dreams of a Thousand Years Ago

The sacred perspiration of team members who stream into the Holy City, one after the other

Both the mainland Japanese and the Koreans are now working hard in Buyeo to transform the history of Japanese-Korean Unity dating back more than 1,000 years into a present-day reality that knows no limits. When we look up to the sacred virtues of the four precious deities, the light of the ancient soil that we must raise with our own strength shines brilliantly in our eyes. We must hold the same hoe together as we dig up the history of the past thousand years. From August 1940 until today, 75,000 volunteers have been heaping up the soil of Buyeo, pouring their heart and soul into every lump of dirt that they heap up. The people work happily and nobly, since the labor service in Buyeo is a family honor to be handed down to the next generation.

However, is labor service in Buyeo really just any ordinary labor service? When you look at the construction site of the Shrine, which is bleached white in the middle of Mount Buso (부소산, 扶蘇山), you can see the earthen walls marked with regular hoe-shaped marks, and you can also find the marks of the carefully arranged gravel, which was prepared in such an undisturbed manner. Thus, the work site of Buyeo has become a great training grounds for the Korean people to seek the cultivation of their minds.

The first thing that hikers will see is the divine view of the three mountains of Buyeo. After more than 50 minutes on the bus, they gradually bow their heads in deference to the majesty of the mountains in all directions. When they reach such a state of mental cohesion on the bus, their bus enters the town of Buyeo.

Those who arrive in the morning will rest at an inn in the morning. In the afternoon, they spend about three hours in labor service. The next morning, they will listen to lectures and go on a tour of the historical sites, then disperse in the morning.

Those who arrive in the evening will do their labor service the next morning after they stay the night. In the afternoon, they will listen to lectures and go on a tour of the historical sites, and then conclude their itinerary. This is the plan that the Korean Federation of National Power has made since the construction of Buyeo Jingu Shrine in accordance with the Buyeo Shrine Construction Office, and anyone who comes as a group must act in accordance with this plan.

The following are the features of the Buyeo work program. Absolutely no one is allowed to act alone, whether it be seeing things, hearing things, or working. They must obey the orders of their leaders, even when it comes to getting up in the morning and eating. Even distinguished men of rank and decorations must follow the orders of their leaders once they join the service teams. This may seem like a very rigid system, but for the occasional traveler, it is a comforting way to travel, and this system is mentioned in travel anecdotes about Buyeo. Service teams are sent into the royal county of Buyeo from various areas every day not only to perform Shrine construction work, but also to repair roads, transport heavy objects, and even build water systems, all with the enthusiasm of "making our capital with our own hands". The peace and tranquility of the inhabitants of the sanctuary can be seen in the way they work with their faces beaming with pride. In other words, their training has uplifted the people of Buyeo up to this point.

This reporter spent a day with 50 female students from Seoul, who were the pinnacle of all the students of Korea, and struggled through the round-table discussions on the train. In Buyeo, they arrived at Half Moon Dormitory, which was operated by the county for the service teams, where they were met by a director of the Korean Federation of National Power, Mr. Hayashi, whom they had known for many days. Standing next to him was Major Yamaguchi, a heavily bearded man. He introduced himself by saying, "Please just regard me as a fixture in this dormitory". In 1940, Major Yamaguchi became a commissioned officer of the Korean Federation of National Power, and he will be taking care of all the team members. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call him a labor leader rather than a caretaker.

On this day, Director Hayashi announced that he would conduct the training in place of Major Yamaguchi. Even Principal Miyahara, who was leading the group, was confused as to what was going on. But upon hearing Mr. Hayashi say, "Starting tonight, I am taking charge of everyone's well-being", the students felt that things were looking up. In other words, whereas the students used to feel less trust in following their leader, they now felt relieved that they could follow the discipline of training. "You are not here for labor. You are here for training". These were Mr. Hayashi's first words. "You must be tired today, so please rest at ease in the dormitory. Tomorrow morning, get up at 5:00 a.m.!" The training had already begun. Major Yamaguchi led me to the Baekgang dormitory, which had been designated as my lodgings for the night. This was another county-run training dormitory, built in a renovated elementary school not far from the Half Moon Dormitory.

The female students moved swiftly into the designated dormitory, where they were provided with a blanket, a top futon mat, and a bottom futon mat for sleeping. Three meals were included, and the cost was only 1.30 yen per person, so they were very inexpensive accommodations. Thanks to the kindness of Major Yamaguchi, all the firewood was lit in the Ondol that night. Each person laid out a brand-new futon on the warm floor and began to get ready for bed. Teachers and students alike began to do the same thing. "The lights will go out at ten o'clock. Until then, with your teacher's permission, you are allowed some free time", Major Yamaguchi announced to each room, out of consideration for the hearts of the girls who wanted to have some play time after following military-style orders the whole time. As the students, who had been waiting for this moment, started to become excited, this time it was the teacher's turn to keep a watchful eye on the students. Roll call was at 9:30. Once it was 10:00, there was silence, not even a murmur in the room. The next morning, they woke up to the sound of the wake-up signal, and after washing their faces as they had been instructed, they assembled at Half Moon Dormitory.

Morning worship was at 6:30. Facing the east bowing several times towards the Imperial Palace, they performed the Kyūjō Yōhai prayers. Next, they faced the direction of Chōsen Shrine bowing several times in worship. At 7:00 a.m., it was time for breakfast. Everyone sat down in front of their meals laid out on the long tables and performed a pre-meal ritual. They sang a song of thanksgiving to the gods with Director Hayashi. Once this was done, they said "Itadakimasu!" (a customary Japanese phrase of gratitude which is said before meals) and stuck their chopsticks into bowls of mixed rice which included barley. Every step of the process was a continuation of their training.

Original caption: Performing a pre-meal ritual before breakfast.

Major Yamaguchi led the group from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in front of the Shrine construction office, which was set up at the foot of Mount Buso with an old-fashioned bamboo railing and the scent of new wood emanating from it. Here, Major Yamaguchi handed over the girls to Mr. Shibata, the director of the Buyeo Shrine Construction Office. The girls were then assigned work to plant saplings to grow sacred trees on the grounds. The girls were determined not to be outdone by previous teams of laborers that had worked there earlier as they worked hard breaking a sweat with their hoes.

Original caption: The labor service team gathered in front of the Shrine construction office.

Buyeo is famous for its cherry blossoms. Although their cherry blossoms do not have the same fiery colors that Yoshino cherry blossoms have, the flowers that bloom along the approach to the Shrine have deep colors similar to those found in mainland Japan. Buyeo's mountains and rivers, created by Mother Nature throughout the four seasons and providing a backdrop to the 16 townships (myeon) of the county, will be praised as a wonder of the world. When the four railway lines are opened up soon to this beautiful scenery, traffic jams will certainly ensue. There is no end to what I can write about Buyeo. (Written and photographed by Correspondent Mr. Arai)

Photo: (Above) The labor service team gathered in front of the Shrine construction office, (Below) Performing a pre-meal ritual before breakfast.

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-04-21

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年4月21日

聖地扶余を描く（下）

千古の夢今に蘇える

神都に相踵ぐ聖汗隊

千余年に遡る内鮮一体史と、尽きるを知らぬ無限の現実に、今や内地も半島も挙げて扶余の勤労にいそしんでいる。尊き四神の御聖徳を仰ぐとき、彼にも我にもこの力もて起さねばならぬ古き土の光りが燦然と目を射るのだ。そして倶に同じ鍬を握って千年の歴史を掘り返さずには措かないのだ。昭和十五年八月から開始して今日まで、七万五千の奉仕隊は一塊の土くれにも心して扶余の土盛りに従った。扶余の勤労奉仕こそ末代に伝える家門の誉れとして楽しく気高く人々は働いた。

だが扶余への奉仕とは果して一般の勤労奉仕と同じものであったろうか。扶蘇山の中腹に白く穿たれ行く御造営工事作業場を見るときに、そこには規則正しい鍬形の跡を印した土塀をみ、整えられた小砂利の乱れを嫌う虔しい整理の跡を発見するのである。かくて扶余の勤労こそ心の錬成を求める大道場として今や半島民衆の前に生れ出たのだ。

遊山のつもりで往く人々の目に先ず映るのはその神々しい扶余三山の景観であろう。五十分余もバスに揺られて行くうちに次第にこの人達の頭は四方の威容に圧伏されて低められて行くのだ。こうした自らの精神統一がバスの中で完成した頃に車は扶余の町に入る。

朝着けば午前中は旅館に休養。午後は約三時間の勤労奉仕。翌朝は叢話と史蹟巡りで午前中を終って解散。

夜着く人々には一泊後、翌午前中は勤労奉仕。午後は叢話と史蹟見学で日程を終ることとなっている。これは扶余御造営以来、総力聯盟が御造営事務所と協定の上作った計画で、誰でも団体として乗り込んだ人々はこれによって行動しなければならない。

こうしたところに扶余勤労の特徴がある。視覚も聴覚も労働も一切単独行動は許されない。起床も食事もあげて指導者の命令に服さなければならないのだ。位階や勲等を持つ名士でさえも一度奉仕隊に加わればその通り実行しなければならない。これは甚だ物固い取り扱いのように思われるが、時折の旅行者にはこれがかえって旅の慰めとなって、扶余の土産話に織り込まれているのだ。御膝元の扶余郡では連日各方面から奉仕隊が繰り出し、御造営奉仕は勿論のこと、"我等の神都を我等の手で"という意気込みから道路の改修、重量物の運搬さては水道の建設まで協力しているが、何れの人人も誇りを顔いっぱいに感じて立ち働く様には流石に神域住人の平和さがのぞかれる。つまり錬成の跡がここまで扶余の人々を引き上げて行ったのだ。

京城から全鮮学生軍の先鋒を切った京城女子実業生五十名と記者は一日行動を共にしたのであったが、列車中の座談会に悩まされ通しであった。かくて扶余に着くと郡経営の奉仕隊旅宿となっている半月寮に到着したのだが、待ち構えていたのは日頃から見知り越しの林聯盟総力課長だった。続いて立っているのが厳しい髯を蓄えた山口少佐殿。この人は自ら『私は寮の備付物品です』と自己紹介に及ぶだけに昭和十五年以来聯盟嘱託となって隊員の世話一切を引き受けている。或いは世話というよりは勤労指導者という方が適当であろう。

この日は山口少尉殿に代って林課長が錬成を行う旨を宣言したので着くまでは何が何やら引率の宮原校長でさえ判らなかった一行も『今夜からは私が皆さんの御身は引き受けました』と大家錬成部長張りの林課長の声にどうやら先は明るくなった。つまり指導者に従えばよいのだといった依頼心が弱い人間性、もっと良くいえば錬成規律に従えばよいという安心が湧いたのであろう。『皆さんは勤労に来たのではありません。錬成に来たのです』。林さんの第一声に次ぐ言葉はこれだった。『今日はお疲れでしょうからゆっくり寮でお休み下さい。明朝は午前五時起床！』もう錬成は始まったのだ。山口少尉殿に引率されて、この夜の宿と定められた白江寮へ連れられる。ここも半月寮から程遠からぬ場所の小学校を改築して造った郡営の錬成宿舎である。

足取りも軽く女学生軍は定められた宿舎へ、毛布一枚、布団上下一枚宛があてがわれた寝具だ。之に三度の食事がついて一人前一円三十銭、実に安い宿賃である。山口少佐殿の情けで今夜は全部の温突に薪がくべられた。ホカホカと温まる床に各々が真新しい布団を敷いて早くも寝る支度が始まった。先生も生徒も同じように同じ動作にかかる。『消灯は十時です。それまでは先生のお許しを得て一同自由行動』軍隊式の命令の中にも遊びたい娘達の心を思い遣って山口少佐殿は各室へ声を送った。待ってましたとはしゃぎ出す生徒へ今度は別に先生の監督の目が光る。点呼は九時半。十時は来るともう呟き一つしはぶきもない静けさが来た。翌朝になると起床合図の音で、教えられた通りに洗顔が済むと再び半月寮に集合した。

六時半の朝礼。東方を向いて宮城遥拝。続いて朝鮮神宮遥拝。七時に朝食となって一同長い机の上に並べられた食事の前に坐って先ず食事前の"行"がはじまった。林課長と共に神への感謝の歌が吟ぜられ、夫れが済むと"頂きます"で丸麦の混米に箸がつく。一挙一動が錬成行の連続だ。作業は午前八時から同十一時半迄、扶蘇山麓に古風な竹矢来を組んだ中に真新しい木の香りを放つ御造営事務所前まで引率した山口少佐は、一同を柴田御造営事務所長に引き渡すとすぐ引き返す。これからが勤労である。この日少女達にあてがわれたのは神木の苗木植えだった。先着の各勤労隊の励む汗の中を少女達も負けじと鍬を揮ったのだ。

扶余は桜の各地である。吉野の燃えるような色はなくとも新参道に笑いかける花橘には内地にあるような深い色が秘んでいる。四季を通じて自然の庭師が造った扶余山河は、やがては一郡十六面の背景として天下の奇勝を謳われるに至ろう。明媚な風光と共に四本の鉄路が近く拓けば往来は一層踵を接するのだ。扶余については全く筆の尽きるところがない。（荒井特派員記並びに撮影）

写真＝御造営事務所前集合の勤労奉仕隊（上）と朝食前の行

Korean farming family weaving straw bags known as ‘gamani’ (가마니) in Korean or ‘kamasu’ in Japanese, traditionally used to transport manure, coal, salt, grain, etc. (Haeju, February 1943)

In this story, the reporters covered an impoverished farming family in Haeju (in present-day North Korea) which was using traditional techniques to make sturdy straw bags known as 'gamani' (가마니) in Korean or 'kamasu' in Japanese. They were traditionally made in the winter, and used to transport everything including manure, coal, salt, and grain. First, the straw is weaved into rope, and then the rope is used to weave the fabric that forms the bag. Nowadays, there are companies that make biodegradable bags out of jute or hemp instead.

Top photo: mother Ok-soon (33-years-old) and son Jun-seok (15-years-old) weaving straw bags. Bottom photo: sisters Bok-soon (8-years-old) and Nam-soon (6-years-old) weaving rope for the straw bags.

This farming family may have been compelled by colonial authorities to become propaganda props for the newspaper. This fits the pattern of this newspaper taking photos of Korean farmers in awkward poses. Here are some examples:

Korean farmers performing morning bow towards the rising sun and the Emperor before the Japanese flag. (Keijo Nippo, January 24, 1943)

Korean farmers at Yongdeungpo, which is now a part of Seoul. (Keijo Nippo, January 25, 1943)

Example of a gamani/kamasu bag.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 13, 1943

Even the young sisters are rope weaving

The whole family is working feverishly

[Haeju Telephone Report] In wartime, when the expansion of production is strongly desired in all sectors, there is a touching, elegant story of a farming family in a remote village on our Korean peninsula, which is devoting itself to production and national defense through the hard work and sweat of the whole family.

Mr. Takashima Ju-byeon (주변, 柱變) (46-years-old) of Yibam-ri, Gosan-myeon, Byeokseong-gun (벽성군, 碧城郡), Hwanghae-do, has a family of six, including his wife, Ok-soon (억순, 億順) (33-years-old), his eldest son Jun-seok (준석, 俊石)(15-years-old), his eldest daughter Bok-soon (복순, 福順) (8-years-old), his second daughter Nam-soon (남순, 南順) (6-years-old), and an infant.

They are a poor farming family, but they make their living diligently by doing small farm work, and they are known in the neighborhood as a hard-working family. As the family entered the off-season in the winter, they decided that idleness and inactivity were the basis of laziness. Therefore, the entire family mobilized as a straw bag weaving team to work from early in the morning until late at night. Ju-byeon is the guerrilla unit which purchases the materials and supplies the products, Ok-soon and Jun-seok are the mother-and-son bag weaving team, and sisters Bok-soon and Nam-soon are the young school-aged rope-weaving team. They all sincerely work very hard. Nam-soon, who is only six, can reliably produce rope for one bag in one day. Bok-soon can easily produce rope for four or five bags in one day by herself. They are attracting admiration by displaying such dependable productivity.

Top photo: mother Ok-soon and son Jun-seok weaving straw bags. Bottom photo: young sisters Bok-soon and Nam-soon rope-weaving.

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-02-13

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年2月13日

幼い姉妹も縄ない

一家挙って熱汗の勤労

【海州電話】決戦下、あらゆる部門に生拡が力強く切望されているとき、これはわが半島の僻村に一家挙って熱汗の勤労をもって涙ぐましい生産報国に精進する農家の佳話。

黄海道碧城郡高山面立岩里高島柱變さん（四六）は妻女億順さん（三三）、長男俊石（一五）、長女福順（八つ）、次女南順（六つ）のほか一人の乳児を合せて六人家族。

もともと貧農であるが孜々として小作をもって一家の生計をたて、『よく働く家だ』と近隣に評判されて来たが、この一家では冬の農閑期に入るや、不労無為は怠惰のもとであるとして、一家総動員叺織部隊となって早朝から夜更けまで製造に勤しんでいるが、その作業編隊は柱變さんが資材の購入、製品供出の遊撃隊、億順さんと俊石君の母子が叺織部隊、福順、南順姉妹の幼少部隊は叺織用の縄ないを引き受けてみんな真摯敢闘。わけても縄をなう僅か六つの南順さんが一日一枚分は確実、福順さんは一人前で一日四、五枚分を楽に仕上げるという頼母しい作業力を示して人々を感心させている。

【写真＝（上）叺を折る母億順さんと長男俊石君（下）縄をなう福順、南順さんの幼い姉妹】

Korean economic crimes suspects interrogated by Seoul economic police; the police chief boasts of having eyes and ears everywhere on the ground, and contrasts the lawful 'good Korean retailers' with the greedy, dishonest 'bad Korean retailers' in 1942 interview

This photo shows the inside of an interrogation room of the economic police in the Dongdaemon precinct of Seoul. It appears to be quite a crowded room crammed with desks, with suspects sitting at separate desks facing police officers one-on-one. However, the standing woman with a slightly slouched, dejected body posture is facing a plain-clothed man, and a uniformed man sitting next to the plain-clothed man has his face turned toward her. My guess is that the plain-clothed man directly in front of the standing woman is a Korean translator working for the Japanese police officer sitting next to him.

The suspects are depicted to be greedy and immoral black marketeers, but in reality, many were probably selling on the black market without proper business permits just to survive, which was a story arc in the Pachinko series. The police chief confidently claims that he has eyes and ears everywhere on the ground, so the economic police presumably have a large network of spies and informants who report directly to them.

This is another propaganda article in a series of 'Good Korean Retailer versus Bad Korean Retailer' propaganda articles contrasting the stereotypically bad Korean (greedy, mean, dishonest, lawless) with the stereotypically good, pro-Imperial Japan Korean (selfless, kind, honest, law-abiding). See this other related article from July 10, 1942:

(Propaganda article contrasting the 'Bad Korean Retailer' who is greedy, mean, dishonest, and lawless with the 'Good Korean Retailer' who is selfless, kind, honest, law-abiding, and committed to Japanese-Korean unification (Seoul, 1942) - Exposing Imperial Japan)

Japan Center for Asian Historical Records entry on the Economic Police (my translation): The Economic Police Division was a section in charge of economic control and supervision. With the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, a wartime economic control system was established in Korea. At first, the Commerce and Industry Division of the Regional Industries Bureau, the industrial divisions of each province, and the security division of the police were involved in controlling the soaring prices of daily commodities and gasoline, a strategic commodity. However, the need for specialized police officers to enforce these controls led to the assignment of police officers "engaged in police affairs associated with economic controls" to the Police Bureau in November 1938, which marked the beginning of the economic police. The Economic Police Division was established in February 1940, with four sections (General Affairs Section, Guidance Section, Control Section, and Information Section), which were assigned to take charge of affairs related to economic police. On the other hand, since the Economic Police Division was in charge of economic control and supervision, it was also expected to be involved in the area of labor mobilization to strengthen wartime productivity, and in the reorganization of December 1943, matters related to "labor recruitment control," which had been handled by the Security Division, were transferred to the division.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) July 5, 1942

We are especially rude to black marketeers

The eyes of the police are all-seeing mirrors!

"Merchants and black market transactions are said to go hand in hand. Ha ha ha! I don't think it's that bad, but there are indeed quite a lot of bad guys out there".

We are in an office of the Dongdaemun Police Department's Economic Crimes Section. The person speaking here is the police chief, Captain Hoshiro.

"I'm inside all the time, so the merchants may think I don't know anything, but my eyes and ears are like an all-seeing mirror, and I can see everything. These days, even in hell, I can see everything and hear their voices at the same time like in a movie, so it's pretty interesting".

What Hoshiro is saying is a bit amazing. "Well then, I'll do as you wish and first introduce you to the good store owners. Since I can guarantee that they are good, please make sure to praise them properly".

Now let's see what sorts of good store owners Mr. Hoshiro is talking about.

◇．．．Mr. Kim Dong-yang (김동용/金東用) is the owner of Hyehwa Trading Company and Grocery Store at 126 Hyehwa-dong. His store has a good reputation in the neighborhood. Even when women or children enter the store to buy something, he would still bow politely to each and every one of them, and not use pressure sales tactics on them as some merchants do. Of course, the prices are the same as the official prices, which is a great help to the housewives in the neighborhood. Moreover, once inside the store, the goods are displayed in an orderly fashion without a single gap in the rows of goods, so that the necessary items are immediately visible even to a new customer who peeks in.

◇．．．The next good store is a general store at 4 Yeji-dong in the Dongdaemun Market. The owner, Mr. Yuh Yong-sang (유용상/劉容相), is proud to be in charge of an important kitchen in the eastern part of the city, and he is doing his best to serve his community. He is the model merchant at Dongdaemun Market. He is always kind to his customers. He tries to sell his smile more than his products. Hats off to Mr. Yuh, who stands alone by himself aloof and sneers at the other merchants who are vigilantly watching for the economic police to let their guard down.

While the above two stores are model stores that were highlighted by Captain Hoshiro's high praise, the next two stores are owned by notorious offending merchants. They are a rare breed of sick individuals of the black market who have not reformed themselves despite being warned repeatedly by the economic police.

◇．．．A man named [redacted], who runs a grocery store at 182 Wonnam-dong, has been punished three times so far by the Dongdaemun Police Department, and he is a habitual pricing violator. He has a bad reputation in the neighborhood, and his arrogant attitude toward his customers with his pressure sales tactics sums up everything. This man does not change his ways no matter how many times he is warned by the police, and he is well documented in detective inspectors' notes as the leader of the delinquent stores in the Dongdaemun police precinct.

◇．．．A man named [redacted] runs a grocery store in the same Dongdaemun Market as Mr. Yuh. He has always been pursuing his own personal gain and has been operating his business with a hateful and arrogant attitude, taking advantage of his customers' weaknesses, and making unreliable and unscrupulous statements about prices. This man is notable for having been scolded four times by the Dongdaemun Police Department so far, but he has not changed his ways. Although we warn him every chance we get, we may even take away this immoral merchant's business license if necessary.

The above four stores mentioned by Captain Hoshiro represent opposite ends of a spectrum between light and darkness among the grocery stores that are entrusted with the lives of the residents of the Dongdaemun police precinct.

Captain Hoshiro went on by saying, "Since problems with food supplies affect the hearts of the residents the most, the attitude of the merchants who deal with food supplies should always be to take responsibility for ensuring the stability of the lives of the people on the home front, so they must not be absorbed even a little in making a profit. If there is a merchant who is still unwilling to cooperate …" Captain Hoshiro looked around at the faces of the suspects in front of him and continued, "they will have to be interrogated like this". As he popped his fingertips on a stack of documents, he giggled.

[Photo: Interrogation at the Dongdaemun Police Station]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1942-07-05

(Transcription)

京城日報　1942年7月5日

闇商人に限って横柄

警察の眼は浄玻璃ですぞ

「商人と闇取引はつきものだって云うのですがね。ハハハ、まさかそれほどでもありますまいが、しかし悪い奴は相当おりますよ」

所は東大門署経済係室。語る人はそこの主任帆代警部だ。

『私は室内ばかりにいるので商人は私は何も知らないと思っているかも知れませんが、私の耳はそして目は浄玻璃の鏡みたいなもので何でも写し出されて来ますよ。この頃は地獄の方もトーキーになって姿と同時に声も聞こえてくるのですから面白いもんです』

帆代さんのいうところは一寸凄い。『さて、ではお望みに答えて先ず善良な店から御紹介に及びますが、これは私が保証するのですからガッチリと賞めてやって下さい』

さてこそ帆代さんの口から語られる良い店とはどんな家であろうか。

◇．．．恵化町一二六食料品店恵化商会主金東用さんは近所でも評判の善良商店だ。女、子供が買いに行っても一々丁寧に頭を下げて、どこやらの商人のように「売ってやる」といった態度は示さない。無論値段は公定価通りで附近の主婦は大助かりだ。その上、一歩店内に入れば整然として一分の隙もなく商品は陳列されて初めてのお客さんが覗いても必要な品物は直ぐ目につくように列べてある。

◇．．．次の良い店は礼智町四東大門市場内の雑貨屋劉容相商店主劉さんであるが、この人も東部地区の大切な台所を預かっていることに誇りを感じて一生懸命に職域奉公に尽くしている。お客さんには親切、売物は商品よりも笑顔をといった市場内の花形商人だ。ほかの商人が虎視眈々と経警の隙を狙っている姿を冷笑して一人超然としている劉さんには全く頭が下る。

以上の二店舗が帆代主任の激賞によって浮かび出た模範店であるが、次なる二店は今流行の違反商人。経警から幾度警告しても納まらないという稀代な闇取病患者である。

◇．．．苑南町一八二食料品店経営の〇〇〇〇という男は今日まで東大門署で三回も処罰されたという価格違反常習者で、附近の評判も悪く、「売ってやるぞ」の傲岸な態度がその全部を表現していた。この男何回警察に注意されても改めず、東大門管内の不良店舗の親玉として日頃から査察刑事のメモに黒々と記入されているものだ。

◇．．．いま一軒は同じ東大門市場に食料品店を開いている〇〇〇という男で、これは常に私利追及に余念なく、客の弱味に付けこんで憎いまでに横柄な態度で接し価格も当てにならない出鱈目を述べて人を喰った無自覚な営業を続けていた。この男も今日まで四回に亘って東大門署から痛いお灸をすえられたという肩書のもち主だが、その後も一向に改まらず、機会ある毎に注意はしているが、場合によっては営業権も取り上げるかも知れないという悪徳商人ぶりだ。

以上、帆代主任の口から語られた明暗二流の店は東大門署管内部民の大切な生命を預かる食料店として両極端を行く者の中から拾い上げた四軒であるが、

『食料の問題はいちばん住民の心に影響するものですから、これを取り扱う商人の態度はいつも銃後国民生活の安定を図る責任をもって進み、少しでも営利に汲々としているようなことがあってはなりません。それでもなおきかない商人があったならば．．．』と、ここまで帆氏さんはいうとグルリと前にいる被疑者の顔を見廻して、『こんな姿で取り調べを受けねばならんのですよ．．．』と山ほどある調書を指先でちょいと弾いてクックッと咽喉で笑うのだった。

【写真＝東大門署経警係の取り調べ】

Young female employees lining up to receive mandatory 'payroll savings booklets' to automatically deduct their wages to contribute to the Imperial Japanese war effort (Seoul, 1943)

The following is a photo of some young female employees at a company in Seoul lining up to receive some 'payroll savings booklets'. A portion of each employee's wages would be automatically deducted to contribute to a war fund as 'war savings' to support the Imperial Japanese military. The booklet would record how much was deducted towards the war effort. If this program worked similarly to mainland Japan, then the payroll contributions were mandatory, and there was no way for employees to voluntarily opt out of them.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) August 27, 1943

We will not want things until the war is won

Maidens burning with a fighting spirit to donate their payroll savings

The payroll savings booklets were handed to the maidens, one after the another. The fighting maidens disappeared from the office with the booklets in their hands, their cheeks blushing red with delight.

The submarine crew are conserving the air inside their submarines. Soldiers are sharing cups of water with their comrades-in-arms on battlefields covered with yellow dust. As long as the Imperial warriors continue to fight to the death in decisive battles this autumn, luxury is the enemy. Waste is also the enemy. The Korean Federation of National Power, Seoul Branch announced a set of ironclad rules for wartime life, which included a section on payroll savings (saving money by deducting from one's income).

Now, instead of buying silk socks, put the money into savings. Instead of buying a pint of beer, go buy some government bonds. The 1.2 million residents of Seoul are called upon to become a ball of fire to finish the Holy War and strive to surpass the 1.2 billion yen mark. [Photo: Payroll savings at a certain company]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-08-27 (page 4)

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年8月27日

欲しがりません、勝つまでは

天引き貯金に闘魂燃やす乙女達

天引き貯金帳が乙女の手に次から次へと渡される。通帳を手にした戦う乙女達は感激に両頬を紅潮させ、事務室から姿を消す。

潜水艦員は艦内の空気を節約し、黄塵万丈の戦野では一杯の水を戦友とわけあいながら、皇軍勇士が決戦死闘をつづけている秋、贅沢は敵だ。無駄も敵だ。生活を切り下げ貯蓄にはげみ、聖戦に勝ち抜こうと京城府聯盟ではさきに決戦生活の鉄則を発表し、その中、天引き貯蓄の一項目を設けている。

さあ、絹靴下のかわりに貯金だ。ビール一杯のかわりに国債だ。百二十万府民は聖戦完遂のために火の玉となって十二億円突破に邁進しよう。【写真＝某会社の天引き貯金】

This Japanese teacher devoted a decade of his life going door to door preaching "You Koreans and we Japanese are brothers, so dedicating yourselves to the Imperial nation is the only way!" the Koreans initially hated him, but eventually came to welcome him with respect, allegedly (Shimonoseki, 1943)

The following propaganda article profiles one Japanese teacher in Shimonoseki who took it upon himself to organize Korean residents into neighborhood associations (Tonarigumi) to continue the indoctrination and brainwashing into the Imperial Way that they were undergoing under the Patriotic Groups (JP: aikoku-han, KR: aeguk-ban, 愛國班) in Korea.

Teacher Yoshioka with his Korean students

The neighborhood associations (Tonarigumi) in mainland Japan and the Patriotic Groups in Korea were similar, in that both were responsible for allocating rationed goods, fire fighting, public health, snitching on 'ideological criminals', and civil defense, but the latter was more focused on Imperializing the Koreans into true Japanese people. As we see in this article, the Tonarigumi for Koreans were modeled after Patriotic Groups to focus on enforcing State Shinto worship, improving Japanese language skills, and instilling Imperial Japanese patriotism.

Shimonoseki, a port city in Kyushu, Japan which served as a gateway to Korea, had segregated Korean neighborhoods during the colonial period. Major companies, such as construction, mining, and logistics firms, hired Korean workers to do the most undesirable work, back-breaking work lifting heavy loads. There was forced recruitment of Korean workers directly from Korea, especially for sensitive military projects, like the Kanmon Tunnel, fortresses, and airports, since the long-term Korean residents of Shimonoseki were considered to be unreliable. Korean workers lived in substandard company housing without running water in undesirable areas, such as in areas close to pig manure lagoons. The Korean neighborhoods were organized into Kyōwa-kai, which were neighborhood associations under police control. The Japanese police put the bosses of the housing complexes and brothels in charge of the Kyōwa-kai, and these collaborator bosses reported directly to the Special Higher Police, which established a heavy presence in these Korean neighborhoods through police booths and brutal detention centers. The collaborator bosses acted like the mafia and treated the residents like slaves, especially if they were escapees from forced labor camps elsewhere in mainland Japan.

[The above information comes from the first-hand accounts of a first-generation Zainichi Korean resident of Shimonoseki, Gang Hae-su (강해수/姜海洙) whose testimony given in 2002 is published in Japanese in Chosyu-Journal, an anti-militarist, pro-worker newspaper in Japan.]

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) February 27, 1943

Ten Years of Efforts Dedicated to the Imperialization of the Koreans

A beautiful story from Shimonoseki about a teacher

[Shimonoseki telephone report] A moving, beautiful story is told about an elementary school teacher and a group of Koreans living in mainland Japan who are looking forward to the day of honor that is about to come, just before the joyous implementation of wartime conscription.

The main subject of the story is Mr. Ken'ichi Yoshioka (35), a teacher at Enoura National School in Deshimatsu town, Hikoshima district, Shimonoseki city, and the Koreans living in the same town who have always admired him. The population of Hikoshima district has increased rapidly over the past decade with the establishment of factories and the frequent arrival and departure of ships. In particular, the dramatic increase in the number of Korean residents has led to the sudden formation of a settlement, and more than half of the children at Enoura National School are Koreans.

Here, differences in customs and inadequate language skills have caused some misunderstandings. Every time this happened, the young teacher Yoshioka pondered deeply, "Are things really alright this way?" It was November 1933 when he decided to take action, not content with just standing by and doing nothing. From then on, Yoshioka visited the Korean settlement day and night. Going door to door, he told them, "You Koreans and we Japanese are brothers, so dedicating yourselves to the Imperial nation is the only way!"

But there were initially many difficulties, and the Koreans hated him and refused to engage with him. However, by the end of the first year, the Koreans began to welcome him with respect. In this way, the Kōjō-kai was established in the settlement to provide neighborhood support, ahead of the establishment of the Kyōwa-kai. The Kōjō-kai holds regular meetings several times a month, similar to today's neighborhood association (Tonarigumi) meetings, to emphasize respect for the gods and the ancestors, to improve Japanese language skills, to encourage frugality and work ethic, and to produce good citizens.

In the meantime, when the digging work for the Kanmon Tunnel began, industrial warriors arrived one after another from the Korean peninsula. The small settlement became a larger town, and ten neighborhood associations were formed. Twice a month, there was vocational training in resource conservation and waste collection. They performed heartfelt activities including war donations and contributions, comfort visits to frontline soldiers, and mutual savings bonds. They have also formed neighborhood associations for the children, and they are striving to become worthy Imperial subjects. All of this is the result of 10 years of efforts under Yoshioka's guidance. Now he and all the members of the neighborhood associations are determined to send out splendid young men from the neighborhood associations as "humble shields protecting His Majesty the Emperor". [Photo: Yoshioka instructing Korean children at a regular meeting = censored by Shimonoseki Fortress Command Center]

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-02-27

(Transcription)

京城日報　1943年2月27日

半島人皇民化に捧ぐ十年間の努力

訓導繞る下関の佳話

【下関電話】決戦下よろこびの徴兵制実施を目前に控えて国民学校一訓導と内地在住半島人の一団とがやがて来るその光栄の日を待ちわびているという感激美談がある。

下関市彦島地区弟子待町居住、江之浦国民学校訓導吉岡憲一氏（三五）と氏を敬慕して已まない同町在住半島人達がその話題の主である。彦島は僅々十年急激に工場設置や船舶出入りの頻繁につれて人口も増加し、殊に半島人の激増は忽ち一部落を形成するに至り、江之浦国民学校もその半数以上は半島人児童という有様となった。

そこにはお互いの習慣の相違や言葉の不充分から何やかの行き違いが出て来る。その度毎に若い吉岡訓導は”これでよいのか”と深く考え込み、じっとして見逃すことが出来なくて起ち上ったのだ。それは昭和八年十一月。それからの吉岡訓導は日毎夜半島人部落を歴訪：「君達も俺達と同じ同胞だ。皇国の為に尽くす道は唯一つだよ」と一戸一戸を説いて廻るのだった。

然し人々はそこには幾多の困難があった。しかし一年目には今まで嫌って相手にもしなかった人々が尊敬をもって迎えてくれるようになった。そうして部落には協和会より一足先に隣保扶助の役割をなす『向上会』が出来た。向上会は毎月数回今の隣組常会に変わらぬ常会を開いて敬神崇祖の念を強調、正しき国語の熟達、貯蓄皆労と善き国民たらむと精進が続けられたのである。

一方、関門トンネル鑿掘工事着手となるや半島から続々と産業戦士が入りこんで来て、今では部落も町とかわり十組合の隣組合が出来、月二回資源愛護、廃品回収授産実習等を行って、その得たるところは、献納に、寄付に、前線勇士の慰問に、共同貯蓄と涙ぐましい活動を続け、なお子供隣組も出来て只管立派な皇国臣民になるのですと励んでいる。それらのすべてが吉岡訓導十年間の努力の結果であり、今その訓導と隣組合全員は、この組合からも”大君の醜の御楯”として立派な青年を送り出すのだと張切っている。【写真＝半島人子供常会を指導している吉岡訓導＝下関要塞司令部検閲済み】