Imperial Japanese colonial regime instilled intense fear and paranoia among Koreans by forcing them to listen to this 20-minute radio broadcast mobilizing the entire nation in counter-espionage to snitch on each other even for complaining about food shortages (July 1943)

It's been just over 80 years since a terrifying radio broadcast was delivered to the entirety of the Korean nation on July 13th, 1943. Considering this milestone, I felt it timely to share a translated transcript of that very broadcast, offering a window into the intense atmosphere of fear and paranoia that pervaded Korea during Imperial Japanese rule.

Police Chief Tange delivering the 20-minute radio broadcast at 7:30pm on July 13, 1943.

Its significance cannot be understated; it's highly likely that every Korean at the time was compelled to listen to this 20-minute address by Police Chief Tange. If you're Korean, think about it – your ancestors probably sat anxiously in front of the radio, absorbing every word of this speech that day.

In the article, I've highlighted specific passages, including those where the audience is directly encouraged to report on one another. There's a detailed elaboration on the activities that colonial officials were most concerned about – these descriptions provide keen insights into what the regime perceived as threats, thereby revealing what resistance movements were likely attempting at the time. It's truly awe-inspiring to consider that resistance activists managed to operate within Korea despite the overwhelming climate of dread and suspicion enforced by such broadcasts.

The contents of this radio broadcast are quite alarming. Koreans were integrated into Aegukban (Patriotic Groups), eerily similar to the Imperial Japanese Tonari-gumi or North Korean inminban institutions. These were essentially neighborhood cells comprising a few households. Each cell was overseen by a leader who made sure everyone complied with regime orders. On that evening of the broadcast, every Korean, as part of their respective Patriotic Group, was presumably gathered to listen in. While the broadcast was in Japanese, a language only approximately 15% of Koreans would have understood, assistants would have likely been translating the words into Korean on the spot for the broader populace.

The broadcast discussed matters of grave national importance, chiefly focusing on thwarting espionage activities. Alarmingly, even expressing discontent about food shortages was deemed a reportable offense. It's not hard to visualize the palpable tension, with everyone wary of their own words and their neighbor's actions.

For those interested, I'm also sharing a link to another radio broadcast that touches on similar themes of espionage and counter-resistance, though it's notably less intense in tone than this one. It provides another lens through which to understand the era's narratives and anxieties.

I understand that sharing propaganda from this period can be contentious. However, I believe it is important to shed light on the profound sense of fear and paranoia that pervaded Korea during that era. It's only fitting that we remember the psychological suffering the Korean nation endured at that time. By revisiting these primary sources – propaganda radio broadcasts from the time – we gain a deeper understanding of the atmosphere that Koreans of that time lived in.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) July 14, 1943

Total War and Civilian Counter-Espionage Defense (Broadcast by Director Tange of the Police Affairs Bureau)

The enemy's dagger is near at hand

Devote yourselves to the spirit of "Ever on the Battlefield"!

The Counter-Espionage Defense Week for the annihilation of the US and Britain has been set up under a 25 million-strong ironclad regime, launching a major offensive simultaneously across all of Korea on July 13th. Director Tange of the Police Affairs Bureau delivered a broadcast entitled "Total War and Civilian Counter-Espionage Defense" for twenty minutes from 7:30 pm on July 13th. He explained the importance of unarmed strategy in counter-espionage warfare and how it can sway modern warfare, encouraging the entire Korean peninsula to rise up against the enemy's network of schemes. The following is the essence of his broadcast. [Photo = Director Tange of the Police Affairs Bureau broadcasting]

Today, as we begin the Counter-Espionage Defense Week across all of Korea, I wish to express my thoughts and ask for the serious attention of all citizens. A year and a half has quickly passed since we received the Imperial Rescript declaring war. During this period, under the Great Authority of the Emperor, the splendid victories of our Imperial military are unparalleled in world history, and our country is now establishing an invincible regime across all of East Asia, on the verge of building a Co-Prosperity Sphere.

However, the last counterattack of the doomed US and Britain, fueled by their fully matured material civilization, is making a desperate struggle, revealing the true nature of their bestial brutality. The fight is becoming extremely harsh and intense. It reveals the unique aspects of modern total war that mobilizes all of human intelligence and manpower, not allowing any citizen, whether on the front lines or on the home front, to abstain from the battle.

The prominent characteristic of modern warfare is that it is not just a battle of military strength, but a fight that covers the entire nation, pitting the full strength of its people against each other. All methods that can be conceived using all human knowledge and ability are employed. The material and human elements of a nation are all mobilized for the war without exception. Everything is a weapon, and everyone is a soldier. Therefore, in this context, we who are the citizens under wartime must discern the essence of this modern total war, reflect on our daily lives, discipline ourselves, and raise our spirits. In terms of "counter-espionage defense," I believe that it is necessary to deepen our understanding and put more into practice at this time.

What is counter-espionage defense? As it is already known, it is "preventing enemy intelligence activities" and "suppressing enemy conspiratorial activities." "Intelligence activities" and "spy warfare" are not new issues; they have always been conducted alongside armed warfare and considered an important element of war. As stated in ancient military texts, "If you know your enemy and yourself, you will win every battle." Efforts to "know the enemy" have been made through methods such as stealth or deceptive strategies and have produced many stories in the long history of warfare which adorn the pages of important military texts.

Therefore, the efforts to prevent and suppress these, that is, "counter-espionage defense," is not a matter that was brought up only in modern times. However, the reason why it is being propagated so loudly today and is demanding strict practice from the citizens is indeed a natural consequence of the essence of modern total war, which mobilizes all citizens as fighting soldiers.

In past wars, as in the Battles of Shizugatake or Sekigahara, everything was decided by a confrontation between two armies in a confined battlefield, armed with swords and spears. The activities of spies to "know the numbers" were mainly to detect enemy forces, formations, and tactics, and they were sufficient. Therefore, efforts to prevent them, or the "counter-espionage defense," were able to achieve their goals with mere military discipline, such as preventing enemy spies from infiltrating the camp and strictly maintaining secrecy among the soldiers.

However, in modern warfare, everything and everyone are elements of war, and the war is not necessarily fought only on what is called the front line, but is fought both domestically and abroad. Therefore, enemy intelligence activities are not just directed at the movements of armies and vessels on the front line, but they infiltrate deeply into the homeland, casting a thorough investigative eye over all the physical capabilities of the state, or in other words, over every field spanning industry, economy, finance, transportation, communication, etc., ranging from the production of military needs and weapons by the state to the daily consumption of food by the average family. They also pay sharp attention to the war capabilities of the people, or in other words, the organization of conscription mobilization, the composition of productive labor, and even the degree of uplift in war consciousness, and the completeness of the home front wartime system, etc.

These enemy spies, having obtained various pieces of intelligence in this way, communicate them quickly and effectively to their allies by shortwave radio and other methods, providing information for their operational tactics. This is indeed the original mission of spies, which should be called intelligence activities. However, the essence of modern total war does not limit spy activities to such passive intelligence activities, but further requires the development of aggressive conspiratorial activities. In other words, in modern warfare, spy activities have moved beyond merely detecting military and national intelligence, which are indirect and passive activities, to direct, proactive activities aimed at reducing and destroying the military power of the opposing country, in other words, all its physical and human capabilities.

In other words, they are trying to destroy physical capabilities by setting fire to and destroying important factories and mines, instigating strikes and sabotage, disrupting railway traffic, and so on, which result in reducing productivity, causing material losses, and hindering transportation and logistics. They do not care about their targets or their choice of methods, and even adopt extremely calculated malicious methods, such as causing chaos in the financial world. They further aim to disturb the financial sector, plunge the economic function into chaos, counterfeit and disseminate paper money, hoard and withhold goods, exaggerate and spread false information about high prices and shortages, all these are extremely calculated and malicious tactics.

On the other hand, they aim to lower human resources, overstate the enemy's power to induce fear in our citizens, spread rumors that cause doubt about our war achievements, and disrupt the government's leadership of the people, spreading defeatist sentiments by various means. They may even resort to spreading toxic substances or disease-causing bacteria in cities and other important places, threatening the lives and health of non-combatant citizens without any regard for the cruelty of their methods.

With the rise or fall of the state at stake, and as we now carry out this all-out war, it is natural to imagine that the devilish hands of enemy spies have infiltrated into the home front of wartime Japan, aiming to target each and every one of our daily lives with their relentless cruelty. They also focus their efforts on the Korean Peninsula, a crucial forward base for advancing into the Asian continent and an essential foundation for establishing the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Their natural objective is to investigate, disrupt, and destroy the economic and military value of the Korean peninsula.

Considering that it has been just over thirty years since the annexation of the Korean peninsula, and the process of Imperial assimilation is still in its early stages, this creates a fragility in ideological unity. Enemies see this as the greatest vulnerability of Japan and, as such, they pour all their efforts into espionage activities here. They persistently attempt intelligence gathering and propaganda behind the scenes in the Korean Peninsula, striving desperately to weaken its military power. This is, of course, to be expected. In fact, this has been proven true. The numerous spy incidents that we have detected and suppressed by our own hands, both in terms of quantity and the cunning and nefarious nature of their plots, truly defy common imagination.

These spies disguise themselves as good citizens, seemingly leading exemplary lives in the home front as loyal subjects of Imperial Japan, doing everything to avoid arousing the suspicion of the public and authorities. Revealing their true identities using ordinary methods is extremely difficult, nearly impossible. People cannot guarantee that they have never before been neighbors with spies, ridden in the same vehicles as spies, or even sat in front of spies. There may be some who have unknowingly revealed important state secrets to these spies, believing them to be close friends. Phrases in our battle instructions like "Spies are always near" and slogans like "There's a spy next to you" are not mere scare tactics.

Given this, how should we, each and every one of us in our daily lives, fend off and fight against these these spies who are disguised daggers? The first and foremost fundamental understanding is that each and every citizen is part of the state engaged in total war, and in modern total war, each and every citizen is a counter-espionage soldier. Even when we are on the home front, each of us, in our respective fields, is engaged in a brutal, absolute war of survival against espionage. We must bear in mind that we are all on the battlefields of Attu Island and the Solomon Islands, and only by embracing this understanding and standing together can we truly wage modern war.

Secondly, to physically manifest this understanding and stand together, we must perform our duties wholeheartedly. We must regard our workplace as the battlefield, fully devote ourselves to maintaining the secrecy of our tasks and protecting vital resources. If we push forward to increase the military strength of the state, we will leave no room for spies to operate. Thirdly, we must have absolute trust in the state's measures, not only refraining from discontent and grumbling but also proactively cooperating with the state.

In war, one should always be prepared for death, and suffering and difficulties naturally accompany it. Shortages of supplies and the tightening of daily life are expected consequences of war. To be disheartened by these challenges, to complain about them, and worse, to fall prey to the lies and provocations of spies is utterly unacceptable for the citizens of a nation at war. Every citizen should consider it their duty to endure these hardships without complaint. If people refuse to feel the impact of shortages or express dissatisfaction, then no enemy propaganda, rumors, or tactics such as strategic hoarding or withholding of goods will have any significant effect. Just as soldiers on the front line follow their commanders' orders and bravely charge into deadly situations, every citizen on the home front must faithfully follow the government's policies. With such a resolution, even if spies employ their most cunning tactics, there can be no chance for negative thoughts to take root, like war-weariness or anticipation of defeat.

Fourthly, we must strive to root out the enemy spies among our one hundred million national people. With a fighting spirit of "seek the enemy and destroy," we must consider ourselves as members of a nation constantly at war, even on the streets of daily life. No matter how cunning the spy may be, if we stay vigilant by being on the look out for the spies who have infiltrated among us on the home front, their true identities will be revealed in front of the discerning eyes of a hundred million national people.

We, the people, must relentlessly pay attention to weed out the enemy spies hiding among us. Whether they are beside us, or from within our own Patriotic Groups, if we detect any suspicious or doubtful individuals, we should act like scouts on the battlefield discovering enemy shadows and immediately report them to the police authorities, actively cooperating and assisting in their arrest and investigation. Each of us must consider ourselves as one of the fighting soldiers. Under this awareness, we should pay attention to our health and hygiene, strive to prevent and eradicate infectious diseases, and enhance our physical strength to completely block the enemy's germ warfare tactics. It is an urgent task to fight on the front lines of this counter-espionage war.

Every individual is a member of a nation at war, united both on the front lines and on the home front, committing to the total effort of the state. Each person must deeply understand and be resolved to face their duties and battles as if they were in the trenches, defending to the death. In doing so, there will be no room for enemy spies or their tactics, leaving them without strategy and rendering their efforts inconsequential. Modern total warfare blurs the lines between the front line and the home front, turning everything into a grave battleground. The secretive tactics of spies targeting the home front have become so intricately complex that they defy common imagination, constantly probing into the daily lives of citizens. Especially now, as the US and Britain intensify their counteroffensive strategies in a bid to turn the tides of war, their espionage and strategic warfare become even fiercer day by day. Any momentary lapse in our vigilance can influence the overall strength of our nation. The fate of our Empire equally rests on the shoulders of those at home. Remember that every one of us carries this responsibility. Embrace Admiral Yamamoto's teachings of "Ever on the Battlefield" deep in your hearts, and in honor of the brave souls of Attu Island, be resolved to engage in the war against espionage with an unwavering dedication to victory.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年7月14日

総力戦と銃後の防諜 （丹下警務局長放送）

敵の匕首身辺にあり

『常在戦場』の精神に徹せよ！

米英撃滅の防諜週間が二千五百万鉄火の体制に構えられて十三日全鮮一斉に一大進軍を展開したが、丹下警務局長は十三日午後七時半から二十分に亘って”国家総力戦と銃後の防諜”と題し放送。防諜戦が如何に近代戦戦局を左右させるか、その武器なき戦略の重大さを説き半島あげて敵の謀略網撃滅に起ちあがるべきを促した。以下その放送要旨。【写真＝放送する丹下警務局長】

本日より全鮮に亘り防諜週間が実施せらるるに当り、聊か所懐を申し述べ国民各位の深甚なる御留意を煩わしたいと思う。畏くも宣戦の大詔を拝してより早くも一年有半、其の間大御稜威の下、皇軍の赫々たる戦果は世界史上未だ曾て見ざるところであり、我が国は今や大東亜の全域に亘り必勝不敗の体制を確立し共栄圏の建設将に成らんとしつつある。

然し乍ら亡び行く敵米英の最後の反攻はその爛熟せる物質文明の全機能を傾注して死物狂いのあがきを試み、彼等本来の鬼畜の如き残忍性と相俟って闘いは正に苛烈凄愴を極めつつあり、人智人力の一切を挙げて、戦線銃後を問わず国民の如何なる一人をも戦わざるを許さざる近代国家総力戦の特異なる様相を現実に露呈している。

近代戦の著しき特徴は戦が所謂武力戦のみに限定されず、国家の全域を掩うて闘われ、国民の総力を傾倒して相撃つと言うところにあり、其の手段は人類の全知全能を尽くして考え得る総ての方法が使用されると言う處にある。国家の有する物的、人的の要素は其の一物をも余さず、その一人をも残さず悉く戦争に動員せられ、一切の物が兵器であり、総ての人が兵士である。茲に於いてか我我戦時下国民たる者は此の近代総力戦の本質を見極めて、毎日毎日の自己の生活を反省し、規律し、昂揚して行かなければならないのであって、『防諜』と言うことに就いても此際更に認識を深くし、且つ実践して行く必要があると考えるのであります。

防諜とは如何なることであるか。今更申す迄もなく、『敵の諜報活動を防止する』ことであり、『敵の謀略活動を制圧する』ことである。『諜報活動』、『スパイ戦』ということは今に始まった問題ではなく、昔からの戦のある處必ずこれに伴って行われ、武力戦に併行して戦争の重要な要素を成していたと考えられるのである。『敵を知り己を知る者は百戦百勝す』と古の兵書にも説いてある如く、『敵を知る』ための努力は或いは忍びの術となり、或いは反間苦肉の策となって古今幾多の戦史に纏綿する物語を産み、戦書の重要なる頁を飾る處である。

従って此等を防ぎ制圧せんとする努力、即ち『防諜』ということも亦必ずしも現代に至って初めて採り揚げられた事柄ではない。然るにこれが今日の如く喧しく宣伝せられ、国民に向かって厳重なる実践を要求せらるるに至った所以は、実に近代総力戦の本質が国民の総てを戦う兵士として動員するということから当然帰結せられた要請である。

即ち昔の戦争は、仮令賤ヶ岳とか、関ケ原とか言う様な一定の限定された戦域、戦野に於いて両軍が刀槍の間に対峙し相撃つことに依って総ての勝敗が決定せられた故に『数を知る』スパイの活動も専ら敵の兵力、布陣乃至は戦術と言うようなことの探知を以て事足り、従って之を防ぐ『防諜』の努力も陣営に於ける、敵諜者の潜入防止とか、兵士の秘密厳守等単なる戦陣軍律を以て其の目的を達し得た。

然るに近代戦に於いては一切の物、一切の人が戦争の要素であり、之を場所的に見ても戦争は必ずしも所謂第一線のみで闘われるとは限らず、国内外を通じて闘われるのである。故に敵の諜報活動も単に戦線に於ける軍隊、艦艇の行動に指向するのみではなく、深く銃後の国内に迄潜行して其の国家の一切の物的能力、言い換えれば産業、経済、金融、交通、通信其の他万般の分野に亘って一国軍需、兵器の生産から、国民一家の日常食糧の消費に至る迄周到なる探査の眼を注ぎ、国家の人的要素たる国民の戦争能力、言い換えれば徴兵動員関係、生産労務の構成、更に進んでは其の戦争意識の昂揚程度、銃後戦時体制の完成如何等に亘り、鋭敏なる聴耳を立てているのである。

而してこれ等敵スパイは斯くして得たる諸般の諜報を短波無電その他の方法を以て迅速効果的に味方に連絡し、これに依ってその作戦戦術の資料たらしむるのであり、これが即ちスパイ本来の使命というべき諜報活動である。然し乍ら近代総力戦の本質は、スパイの活動を単に此の種消極的諜報活動にのみ限定することなく、更に進んで積極的謀略活動の展開を要求するにいたった。即ち近代戦に於けるスパイの活動は単に軍情、国情の探知と言う、云わば間接的受動的なる活動から更に進んで相手国の戦力、言い換えれば其の一切の物的人的能力を減殺壊滅せしめんとする直接的能動的機能を発揚せんとするのである。

即ち物的戦力を破砕せんとして、重要工場、鉱山等の放火、破壊、ストライキ、サボタージュの扇動、鉄道軌道の交通妨害等、苛くも生産力の減殺を結果し、物資の損耗を招来し、交通運輸を阻害することであるならば其の対象を問わず、其の手段を選ばないのであり、更に進んでは金融界を攪乱し、経済機能を混乱に陥し入るる為、或いは紙幣を偽造撒布し、或いは物資の買い溜め、売り惜しみを為し、或いは物価高、物資難を大袈裟に捏造誇張して宣伝流布せしむる等極めて計画的な悪質手段をも採用するのである。

又一方人的戦力の低下を企図し、敵国の戦力を誇大に宣伝して国民の対敵恐怖心を誘発し、自国の戦果発表に対し疑惑を生ぜしむる流言を作為流布して政府の国民指導を混乱に陥入るる等陰陽様々の方法を以て国民の間に厭戦、敗戦思想を醸成蔓延せしめ、甚だしきは都市、其の他の重要個所に毒物、伝染病細菌等を撒布して非戦闘員たる国民の生命、健康に多大の脅威を加うる等、之亦残忍苛酷、方法を選ぶに何らの顧慮するところはない。

国家の興廃を賭し乾坤一擲の大戦争を遂行しつつある今日斯の如き戦慄すべき敵スパイの魔手が戦う日本の銃後に潜入し我々国民の一人一人の日常生活を目標として其の残虐飽く無き跳梁を試みんとし虎視眈々たるものがあることは当然想像せらるるところである。更に翻って我朝鮮半島に対する敵スパイの蠢動如何の問題を検討するに所謂大陸前進兵站基地として、将又大東亜共栄圏確立の基盤として極めて重要なる地位を占むる朝鮮の経済的軍事的価値の探知究明乃至之が攪乱、破壊等は敵側の当然企図すべき重点である。

況んや半島が併合後未だ三十余年、皇化日猶浅しと為し其の思想的団結に脆弱性ありと看做す敵にありては、乗ずべき日本の最大の間隙なりとして、そのスパイ活動の全力を此処にに傾注し、此の朝鮮半島の銃後に執拗なる諜報、宣伝を試み、半島の戦力減殺に必死の努力を為すべきは当然である。現にこの事は事実として顕われ、既往我々の手に依って検挙弾圧せる諸種のスパイ事件は其の件数に於いて其の巧妙悪辣さに於いて実に世人の想像に絶するものがる。

而して此等スパイは一見善良なる市民を偽装し表面的には飽く迄忠良なる皇国臣民として模範なる銃後生活を営み、以て世人、官庁の疑惑を招かざらんことを汲々として之努め、之が正体の暴露は通常の方法を以てしては極めて困難、不可能に近く、一部の人は過去に於いて彼等と軒を連ね、或いは同車、対座した事がないとも保証し得ないのであり、中には全くそのスパイたる事を知らず、之と親密に交友し同時の間にか心を許して之に国家の重要なる機密を洩らしたことがないとも限らない。即ち戦陣訓に言う『諜者は常に身辺にあり』と云う言葉や『君の隣にスパイがいる』等と云う標語の如きは単に徒なるら嚇し文句ではないのである。

斯くの如く我が国民の一人一人が其の日常生活の中に、身近に擬せられた此の敵の匕首―スパイ―之を我々は如何にして防ぎ、如何にして敲き落すべきであろうか。其の第一は、国民の一人一人が総力戦を戦う国家の国民であり、且つ近代国家総力戦に於いては国民の一人一人が防諜戦士であるという認識に徹底することが、先ず肝要な基本観念である。先に述べました如く、我々国民は仮令銃後に在っても各々の職域に於いて特に防諜戦士として喰うか喰われるかの苛烈、絶対の戦争を分担して居るのであり、各自皆アツツ島並びにソロモン群島に連りたる戦場に在ることを明記しなければならないのであって、国民の総てが先ずこの観念に徹しこの気持ちでがっちり手を組むことに依って初めて近代戦争とも成ることが出来るのである。

即ちその具体的現れとして第二に挙ぐべきは職域における挺身奉公の実践である。職域を戦場と心掛け、常在戦場の観念に徹し、全力を傾注して或いは機秘密の保持に或いは重要資源の保護に夫々の持場を死守し、スパイをして窺うべき一分の隙だになからしめ、国家の戦力増進に邁進するならば、如何なるスパイの活動と雖も施すに方法なき筈である。第三は国家の施策に絶対信頼し不平不満をいわぬばかりでなく、進んで之に協力することである。

戦は常に死を期すべきである以上苦痛、困難の伴うは当然にして、況んや物資の不足や日常生活の窮屈化は戦争には当然予想せらるることであって、之に辟易して不平を洩らし、延てはスパイの造言、煽動に乗ぜらるることが如きは戦う国の国民として全くあり得べからざることである。苛くも国民の一人一人がこれを忍び耐えることを以て当然の義務と観念し、不足を感ぜず、不満を口外せざるに於いては如何なる敵の宣伝も、流言も計画的買い溜め、売り惜しみの戦術も些したる効果をも収め得ない筈である。其の他恰も戦線悉くの兵士が司令官の命令に絶対服従し死地に挺身突撃するが如き覚悟を以て銃後総ての国民が政府の施策に信従するに於いては如何にスパイが秘策を施すとも厭戦、敗戦等の悪思想の胚胎するが如きことは絶対にあり得ないのである。

第四には進んで我々一億国民の敵スパイを剔抉することである。求敵必滅の敢闘精神を以て、日常街頭においても不断に戦う国家の一員であることを考え、銃後に潜入せるスパイの発見に心掛くるならば如何に巧妙なるスパイと雖も一億国民の炯眼の前には必ずや終にその正体を暴露するに至る。

国民は我々の中に潜む我々の敵スパイを、自分の隣から、自分の愛国班から摘発し剔抉する為に不断の注意を払い苛も不審、容疑の者あらば恰も戦場に於いて敵影を発見せる斥候の如く、直ちに進んで警察当局に申告し之が逮捕究明に積極的に協力援助すべきである。其他国民各自は戦う兵士の一人であるという覚悟の下に各自その保健、衛生に留意し伝染病の予防撲滅に努め体力の増進を図り敵の細菌戦術を完封する等防諜戦の大一線に敢闘することが刻下喫緊の急務である。

凡ては戦う国家の一員であり、戦線銃後一体の国家総力戦の戦士である事を心底より覚悟認識して職域、戦場に臨み職場を塹壕として死守敢闘するに於いては如何なる敵スパイも如何なる諜報謀略も働くに余地なく施すに策なく何等恐るるに足らない。之を要するに近代国家総力戦は戦線銃後の別なくあげてこれを凄愴なる戦場たらしめ銃後を狙うスパイの秘密戦術は世人の想像を絶する程度に愈々巧妙複雑を加え間断なく国民の日常生活を窺いつつあり、殊に頽勢を一挙に挽回せんとする米英の一大反攻作戦と相呼応してその諜報謀略戦は日一日と苛烈の度を加えつつあるから我々一人一時の油断は、全国家の戦力に影響し、皇国興廃の岐路は等しく銃後国民の双肩に負荷せらるる責任なることを銘記し『常在戦場』山本元帥の遺訓を各自の心とし、アツツ島の英霊に応え参らす覚悟を以て防諜の戦に絶対不敗の努力をなさなければならない。

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-07-14

Bilingual Korean-Japanese propaganda posters started to be used in Korea starting October 1944

For the past two years, I've been studying the pages of Keijo Nippo (Gyeonseong Ilbo), the official propaganda mouthpiece newspaper of the Imperial Japanese colonial regime which ruled Korea from 1905 to 1945. Ever since an anonymous benefactor dumped an extensive collection of these newspaper issue on Internet Archive in 2021, I've been slowly translating and transcribing select articles to share with the wider community. However, I've been running into frustrating roadblocks with many of these newspaper issues, since many of the scanned copies are illegible beyond the headlines, and the 1945 issues are all missing. But this September, I am actually traveling to Seoul, so I finally get the chance to visit the National Library of Korea to check out the actual physical copies of the newspapers to access the articles which were illegible in the Internet Archive collections. In this post, I want to share some of the mysteries that I hope I can solve during my upcoming trip to Korea.

As it so happens, the July to December 1944 issues of Keijo Nippo in the Internet Archives are mostly illegible beyond the headlines. That is a shame, since there are some weird things in those issues that I believe merit some attention. These later newspaper issues cover a period marked by significant changes in colonial Korea, such as the end of Governor-General Koiso's reign on August 8, 1944, and the beginning of the administration of Governor-General Abe, who ruled colonial Korea until the end of the war. Unfortunately, there is very little information about Governor-General Abe online, which is why these newspaper articles are such invaluable historical documents. I hope to read some of his speeches, which might hold a clue as to the character of this last administration of the colonial regime.

One particular point of interest is a bilingual Korean-Japanese propaganda poster from October 7, 1944. It seems to depict factory workers waving Japanese flags, though the low-resolution scans make it challenging to decipher any further details. Can anyone make out what the Korean portion of the poster might be saying? I plan to take a clearer picture of this newspaper page when I visit the National Library of Korea in September to get a better understanding of this bilingual poster. Intriguingly, while propaganda newspapers were regularly reproduced in the Keijo Nippo newspaper, this was the only Korean-Japanese bilingual poster that I came across while flipping through the newspapers spanning from 1936 to 1944. Its uniqueness makes it worthy of a closer look, and I promise to delve into this in more depth during my visit, if I manage to gain access to the archives at the National Library of Korea.

Another intriguing thing I noticed was the platinum collection campaign run by the Imperial Japanese military. The demand for platinum likely ties back to its unique properties, which would have been highly valuable for various military applications such as catalysts in chemical production, electric components, and high-temperature applications. The newspaper pages ran several platinum drive articles encouraging Koreans to donate platinum. They even ran an illustration depicting a young girl donating a platinum ring to the war effort.

But what strikes me as unsettling was an article from December 29, 1944, which announces a "forced buy-up" of platinum, with threats of a 10-year prison sentence for refusing the buy-up. This type of threatening language was unheard of even for the extremist Koiso administration, which used softer language like "voluntary donation" for the collection war materials like brass. What was going on?

These snippets of history have piqued my interest, and I plan to investigate these and many other details from the colonial period further during my upcoming visit to the National Library of Korea. I aim to provide the community with a more detailed picture of this under-explored era. I'm sure many of you are just as curious about these aspects of Korean history, so I'll be sure to share all my findings upon my return.

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1944-10-07

Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1944-10-13

Source 3: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1944-12-29

 

The Sulemans were a Russian Tatar refugee family in Seoul who gained acceptance as assimilated Imperial Japanese people while holding strong to their Muslim faith, and left for Turkey amid warm farewells in 1939

This article from 1939 features the remarkable story of a Tatar family in Imperial Japan. This particular article bids a heartfelt farewell to the family who decided to move to Turkey.

This Tatar family, despite being refugees from Russia, managed to not only learn fluent Japanese but also seamlessly assimilate into the local Japanese community, all while preserving their unique religious Muslim identity. They ran a successful clothing business, actively participated in local patriotic activities supporting the Imperial Japanese military, and fervently promoted the Muslim faith in Imperial Japan.

From what I can surmise from the dates and ages in the article, Karim Suleman was 5 years old when he arrived in Imperial Japan in 1916. He became 'Japanese' in 1920 when he was 9 years old, which could mean that he obtained Imperial Japanese residence or citizenship? When he was 18 years old in 1929, he owned a clothing store in Myeongdong in Seoul. Shortly thereafter, he married his wife Munira who was a year older than him, and had a daughter and a son.

They resided in what was then known as Meiji-chō in Seoul, which is now called Myeongdong. It's a popular tourist destination today. To make it more relatable, I've opted to use the contemporary Korean term, Myeongdong, in my translation rather than the old Japanese term.

This article may have also had a propaganda purpose to put this Tatar family on a pedestal as a 'model minority family' to encourage the Korean people to follow their example by embracing Japanese language and culture and supporting the Imperial Japanese military.

You might notice that the article refers to them as 'Turkish'. However, based on subtle hints in this article and other related articles, we know that this family was part of the Tatar ethnic group, refugees from Russia. It's understandable that the reporter may have been confused. The distinctions between 'Turkic', 'Tatar', and 'Turkish' can be intricate and are often misunderstood. While both Tatar and Turkish peoples belong to Turkic ethnic groups, they are distinct and different from each other. The confusion was likely compounded by the family's decision to move to Turkey.

Imperial Japan's support of Islam and Muslim communities has a fascinating historical background. For those interested in delving deeper, here's a link to an academic paper on the topic: [Link] 

Here, you can also find links to other articles about the Tatar people in Seoul during the colonial period that I've found in the Keijo Nippo newspaper so far:

• Spotlight on 1943 Seoul: A Glimpse into the Russian Tatar Refugee Community, Marja Ibrahim's Poetry Tribute to Tatar National Poet Ğabdulla Tuqay on the 30-year anniversary of his death [Link]
• Small community of ~100 Russian Tatars in Seoul featured in 1942-1944 propaganda articles: a young 19-year-old Tatar girl is praised for filling out immigration forms for her neighbors, a Tatar woman is commended for scolding her friends with red fingernails for wearing 'British-American' cosmetics [Link]
• In 1942 Busan, Korean pastors and foreign residents (Russian Tatar family, English woman, Chinese consul) praise Imperial Japan as British POWs captured in Malaysia start arriving in the city [Link]

As is my norm, I've included links throughout the translation to cultural and historical references that might be unfamiliar.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) June 15, 1939

Nineteen Years as a Japanese Person

Exceptional: Letter of Thanks from the Community

Farewell, Mr. Suleman!

After being forced to leave tumultuous Russia, they have made Japan their home for the past nineteen years. Not only have they fully adapted to the Japanese language and lifestyle, but they have also exhibited a patriotic spirit rivaling the Japanese, evident from the onset of the current conflict. Turkish clothing merchant Karim Suleman (aged 28) and his wife, who have comfortably resided at 2-66 Myeongdong District of Seoul for a decade, have become prominent figures in their neighborhood. This October, they are bidding farewell to Seoul and setting sail from Yokohama, heading back to their homeland, Turkey.

After coming to Korea in 1916, Mr. Suleman traveled around Osaka and Kobe before opening a foreigner-owned clothing store at his current location in July 1929, which was unusual at the time. He remains a fervent believer of Islam to this day. He has a lovely daughter Muslaika (7 years old) and son Gumal (4 years old) with his wife Munira (29 years old), and the family of four have completely become Japanese people.

Not only have they fully integrated into the local community, but they have also adopted Japanese customs and habits, such as going to public baths and wearing summer yukatas. Mr. Suleman, a former leader of the Seoul Muslim Community and a current member of the Japan Muslim Council, was so passionate about the movement for the official recognition of the Muslim faith that he traveled all the way to Tokyo.

Ever since the start of the recent conflict, the beautiful Mrs. Munira has made a name for herself in Seoul, which now has a heavy military atmosphere. She can be seen regularly at the train station, donning the sash of the National Defense Women's Association diagonally across her shoulders, waving the Japanese flag to welcome and bid farewell to the Imperial soldiers. Not only that, she can be seen standing on city street corners at night, holding sen'ninbari cloths. Furthermore, she has donated to national defense funds and provided care packages several times, endearing her to the military as a "Patriotic Turkish Person". Last summer, they held an all-Turkish "Prayer Festival for the Longevity and Military Success of the Generals and Soldiers of the Imperial Army" at the Wakakusa-chō Mosque, which deeply moved us.

As tensions between Japan and Britain escalate, the Sulemans are leaving Japan for Turkey, a country which is considered pro-British. When reporters visited, they expressed their farewell sentiments in fluent Japanese with their beloved children on their laps.

"Nineteen years ago, my first step in Korea was when I got off at Seoul Station and stayed at the Hōrai Inn, which was in front of the train station at the time. It has been ten years since I settled in Myeongdong District. Living alongside a battling, strong, and righteous Japan, we have come to share the same sentiments as the Japanese people. My wife intends to take her National Defense Women's Association sash as a souvenir back to our homeland. One way we plan to repay Japan, where we've lived for so long, is to let people in our homeland know about Britain's transgressions and Righteous Japan's true position, as viewed correctly from Japan. While we think we won't have another chance to come back, we will probably never forget our life in Japan."

In recognition of Mr. Suleman's virtues, the Myeongdong District Association has decided to honor him with an unprecedented letter of thanks, celebrating him as a foreigner who has truly become part of the community.

Original caption: The Suleman family returning to Istanbul.

(Transcription)

京城日報 1939年6月15日

十九年の日本人

異例：町内で感謝状

さよならスレマンさん

動乱のロシアを逐われて日本に住むこと十九年、言葉も起居動作もスッカリ日本の風習に馴染んでいるばかりか、今事変当初から日本人に負けない愛国者ぶりを示して、今では町内きっての頭役にまでなり切った京城明治町２の６６トルコ人洋服商カリム・スレマン氏（二八）夫妻が丸十年住み馴れた京城を去り、今秋十月横浜出帆故国トルコへ向う。

スレマン氏は大正五年来鮮引き継き大阪、神戸と歩き廻り昭和四年七月現住所に当時として珍しい外人経営洋服商を開店して以来、現在に至った熱烈な回教徒だ。妻ムニラさん（二九）との間には可愛いムスライカ嬢（七つ）グマル君（四つ）があり、親子四人とも全く日本人に成りきってしまった。

町内の附合は勿論銭湯行きも、そして夏の浴衣掛けなど堂々板につくまで日本の風俗習慣を身に沁み込ませていた。氏は元京城回教徒団体団長で現在日本回教徒評議員をしており、過ぐる回教公認運動には遥々上京東奔西走したほどの熱教徒だった。

美貌のムニラ夫人は事変以来国防婦人会の襷を斜めにかけて皇軍将士の歓送迎には必ず駅頭に日章旗を振っていたばかりでなく、夜は街頭に千人針を持って立つなど、軍事色に塗り潰された京城でも異彩を放っていた。また幾度となく国防献金や慰問品を提供して軍方面からも『愛国トルコ人』として可愛がられ、昨年夏は若草町回教徒教会でトルコ人ばかりの『皇軍将士武運長久祈願祭』を挙行して吾々を感激せしめたものだった。

対英関係が尖鋭化して来つつある昨今日本を去って親英国と目されるトルコに帰るスレマン氏夫妻を訪えば、愛児を膝にして巧みな日本語で別離の情をしみじみと述べるのだった。

『十九年前、京城駅に降り当時駅前にあった蓬莱旅館に泊ったのが来鮮第一歩だったでしょう。此の明治町に住みついてから早いもので十年になります。戦う日本、強い日本、そして正義日本と共に暮らした私達はもう日本人と同じ気持ちです。妻など国防婦人会の襷を故国に土産として持って帰るといっています。そして日本から正しく眺めた英国の暴状や正義日本の真の立場を故国の人に知らせることを永く住まわせて頂いた日本へのご恩返しの一つだと思っています。今後再び来る機会も無かろうと思いますが、日本の生活は恐らく何時までも忘れられないでしょう。』

なお明治町町会では去り行くスレマン氏に対して異人としては最初の感謝状を贈り氏の徳を讃えることとなった。【写真＝イスタンブールへ帰るスレマンさん一家】

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1939-06-15

Wartime news coverage of Prince Yi Un (이은, 李垠) and Princess Yi Bangja (이방자, 李方子) fulfilling their royal ceremonial duties on behalf of Imperial Japan as they meet the public, accompanied by an entourage of the top elites of colonial Korean society (July 1943)

In this post, I will focus on some newspaper clippings from July 1943 featuring the Korean royal family, specifically Prince Yi Un (이은, 李垠) and Princess Yi Bangja (이방자, 李方子). Each article featuring the royals is typically written in very formal and respectful Japanese prose, reflecting the extreme deference that they were afforded in colonial Korea. What's intriguing about these articles is how they present the royals at work, carrying out their ceremonial duties on behalf of the colonial regime. It is quite timely, as it has almost been exactly 80 years since these articles were published.

The Imperial Japanese colonial administration wanted to place a Korean face at the forefront, essentially using the Korean royals to humanize their regime and consequently legitimize their rule to the Korean people. It's a fascinating albeit complex aspect of colonial Korea's history that warrants attention.

Among the over one hundred articles that I've posted so far, none of them really highlighted the role of the Korean royal family, which is why I decided to translate these clippings. At first glance, these articles may seem quite mundane, showing the royals arriving at the airport and then visiting an army hospital, performing ceremonial functions that might be very familiar to any working member of the modern British or Japanese royal families today. However, their true value lies in the context that they provide.

Whenever the royals visited the public, they were typically accompanied by retinues of powerful and influential figures in colonial Korean society, since proximity to the royals presumably bestowed fame and prestige. Thus, the narrative woven by these articles includes a veritable list of 'Who's Who' of colonial Korea, providing some insight into the power dynamics and the key figures of the era. For external observers trying to understand the workings of the colonial regime, any changes in the names mentioned in these articles could signify shifts in power or changes in the regime's hierarchy. In other words, reading the names mentioned in these articles is like capturing a snapshot of the key figures in colonial Korea at one moment in time, almost exactly 80 years ago.

I'm posting these translations not only because they're interesting historical records, but also because they serve as a great starting point for discussions and explorations about colonial Korea, due to the sheer concentration of names of key historical figures in colonial Korean history. To make this post a good reference tool, I have generously added links to key names and institutions that are mentioned in the first article of this post, which are in English, Japanese, or Korean. Each member of the Korean Royal Family has his/her own interesting personal history filled with turmoil and drama, and the same can be said of the key Imperial Japanese figures of the Governor-General's Office and the Imperial Army, which ruled colonial Korea with an iron fist. Feel free to explore their stories, using these news clippings as the beginning of your journey down the rabbit hole.

(Translation)

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) June 29, 1943

Prince Yi Un and his wife, Princess Yi Bangja

Return to Korea to Visit the Royal Tombs

Safely Landed Yesterday by Air

Original Photo Caption: Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja on their safe landing (photo taken respectfully at the airport)

Statement by the Office of the Yi Dynasty

June 28 - Prince Yi Un (이은, 李垠) and his wife, Princess Yi Bangja (이방자, 李方子) returned to Korea for a visit to the royal tombs. At 2:15 PM today, they landed at Seoul Airport, where they were welcomed by Governor-General Koiso, Commander Itagaki, Chief of Civil Administration Tanaka, among other senior officials, their wives, heads of various bureaus at the Governor-General's Office, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Mayor of Seoul, along with many of their close relatives and others. They left the airport at 2:25 PM, and entered Changdeok Palace at 3:00 PM in a good mood.

For the successful completion of the Greater East Asia War, Prince Yi Un took a break from his many military duties, accompanied by Princess Yi Bangja, Secretary Yamashita Heiichi, Military Attaché Lieutenant Colonal Ina Shigenari, Court Physician Okamoto Hinana, and Personal Assistant Miura Kiyoko. To visit the royal tombs, they returned to Korea by air and landed at the Seoul Airport at 2:15 PM on the 28th.

Upon their arrival at the airport, a great number of military and civilian representatives lined up to welcome them: Empress Sunjeonghyo (순정효황후, 純貞孝皇后), Prince Yi Geon (이건, 李鍵), Prince Yi U (이우, 李鍝), Governor-General Koiso and his wife, Commander Itagaki of the Korean Armed Forces, Chief of Civil Administration Tanaka and his wife, Principal Shinoda Jisaku of Seoul Imperial University, Secretariat Director Eguchi and other Department Directors of the Governor-General's Office, Vice President of the Central Council of the Yi Family, Central Council Advisors Park Jung-yang (박중양, 朴重陽), Han Sang-nyong (한상룡, 韓相龍), Yun Chi-ho (Itō Chikō, 윤치호, 尹致昊), Commander Takehara of Seoul Division, Chief of Staff Ihara of the Korean Army, Commander Kobayashi, Commander Nakai of the Kempeitai (Military Police), Chief of the Office of the Yi Dynasty Lee Hang-gu (이항구, 李恒九), General Hada of the Korean Federation of National Power, Governor of Gyeonggi Province Taka Yasuhiko, Mayor of Seoul Furuichi, and many other representatives of the military, government, and civilian sectors. Their plane made a loop in the air and then landed safely, kicking up a cloud of summer grass.

Prince Yi Un, in his military uniform, and Princess Yi Bangja, in her Western-style dress, stepped off the plane in good spirits, then entered the audience chamber guided by the Chief of the Aviation Division. After being greeted by Empress Sunjeonghyo (순정효황후, 純貞孝皇后), Prince Yi Geon (이건, 李鍵), Prince Yi U (이우, 李鍝), Governor-General Koiso, Commander Itagaki, Chief of Civil Administration Tanaka among other senior officials, at 2:25 PM, they left the airport. Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja looked out over the resilient Korean populace at war on the home front, who tightly lined the streets to greet them while they were on their way to Changdeok Palace, where they arrived safely at 3 PM.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) July 3, 1943

Prince Yi Un and his wife, Princess Yi Bangja Visit the Army Hospital

Wounded Soldiers Moved to Tears by Their Kindness

Original Photo Caption: Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja during their visit to the Army Hospital in Seoul

During their stay in Korea, Prince Yi Un and his wife, Princess Yi Bangja, took a day out of their busy schedule to visit the wounded soldiers at the Army Hospital in Seoul. On July 2, at 9 AM, they left Changdeok Palace with Military Attaché Ina Shigenari, Personal Assistant Miura, Court Physician Okamoto, Chief of the Office of the Yi Dynasty Lee Hang-gu (이항구, 李恒九), and Vice-Chief Kojima, among others. At the hospital, where the national flag was flying, Commander Takehara, Chief of Staff Ihara of the Korean Army, Surgeon General Dr. Shindō of the Korean Army, Chief of Staff Aratomi of the Seoul Division, Surgeon General Dr. Niwa of the Seoul Division, and Hospital Director Ishimatsu, among others, lined up inside the main gate to welcome them. Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja arrived at the hospital by car at 9:15 AM. They were escorted by Hospital Director Ishimatsu to a resting place in the Hospital Director's office. After a short rest, they received Commander Takehara, Surgeon General Dr. Shindō, Chief of Staff Ihara, Chief of Staff Aratomi of the Seoul Division, Surgeon General Dr. Niwa of the Seoul Division, and Hospital Director Ishimatsu, one by one.

Then, Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja were led by Hospital Director Ishimatsu into the conference room that was designated as the standing audience room, where they were received by the officers attached to the hospital, and then they returned to the Hospital Director's office. There, in the presence of Commander Takehara, Chiefs of Staff Ihara and Aratomi, and Surgeons General Dr. Shindō and Dr. Niwa, who were standing at attention, Hospital Director Ishimatsu explained the history and current situation of the Army Hospital. Starting from 9:40 AM, they were led by Hospital Director Ishimatsu and Chief Physician Haida as they visited the second surgical ward and other wards, receiving warm welcomes as Hospital Director Ishimatsu gave explanations. The lightly injured soldiers lined up in the hall of the Patriotic Building. The wounded soldiers who received gifts of sweets and flowers were deeply moved by the kindness of Their Imperial Highnesses, and the wounded soldiers became more and more determined to resume their duties. After resting in the Hospital Director's office, Their Imperial Highnesses were seen off by Commander Takehara and others at the main gate, and they left the hospital at 10:15 AM, returning to Changdeok Palace.

Commander Takehara of the Seoul Division made a respectful statement: "Today, Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja personally visited our Seoul Hospital and warmly met with the wounded soldiers. They were deeply touched to hear about the medical condition of each soldier. Upon receiving sweets and flowers as gifts, the soldiers were deeply moved by their kindness and swore to recover and resume their duties."

(Transcription)

京城日報 1943年6月29日

李王、同妃両殿下

御墓参の為御帰鮮

きのう空路恙なく御着

御安着遊ばされた李王、同妃両殿下（飛行場にて謹写）

李王職発表

【六月二十八日】李王、同妃両殿下には御墓参の為、本日午後二時十五分、京城飛行場御着、同飛行場に於いて小磯総督、板垣軍司令官、田中政務総監初め親任官、同待遇者並びに同夫人、総督府各局長、京畿道知事、京城府尹、主なる御親戚其の他の奉迎を受けさせられ、午後二時二十五分飛行場御発、午後三時御機嫌麗しく昌徳宮に入らせられたり。

大東亜戦争完遂に御多端なる軍務の寸暇をさいて李王垠殿下には同妃方子女王殿下御同伴、事務官山下平一氏、御附武官伊奈重誠中佐、典医岡本陽七氏、御用取扱三浦清子女史を帯同、御墓参のため二十八日午後二時十五分、京城飛行場御着、空路御帰鮮遊ばされた。

飛行場には大妃殿下、李鍵公家、李鍝公家の三御使、小磯総督、同夫人、板垣朝鮮軍司令官、田中政務総監、同夫人、篠田城大総長をはじめ、江口総務局長外総督府各局長、李家中枢院副議長、朴忠重陽、韓相龍、伊東致昊の各中枢院顧問、竹原京城師団長、井原朝鮮軍参謀長、小林部隊長、中井憲兵隊司令官、李恒九李王職長官、波田総連総長、高京畿道知事、古市京城府尹等、軍官民代表者多数整列して奉迎御待ち申しあぐれば、両殿下御搭乗の飛行機は上空を一旋回、夏草を蹴って御安着。

凛とした軍装の李王垠殿下、御洋装の同妃殿下には御機嫌麗しく降り立たせられ、下城航空課長の先導にて賜謁室に入らせられ、大妃殿下、李鍵公家、李鍝公家の御使をはじめ小磯総督、板垣軍司令官、田中政務総監外親任官、同待遇者に謁を賜わり、同二時二十五分飛行場御発、沿道堵列して奉迎申し上ぐれば両殿下には決戦下銃後の逞しき半島民衆の上に御目をとどめさせられながら御恙なく同三時、昌徳宮に入らせられた。

京城日報 1943年7月3日

李王、同妃両殿下、陸軍病院へ御成り

御仁慈に傷病兵感泣

京城陸軍病院へ御成りの李王、同妃両殿下

李王、同妃両殿下には傷病兵御慰問の思召をもって御帰鮮中の御多端なる御日程の一日をさかれ、二日午前九時、伊奈御附武官、三浦御用取扱、岡本典医、李恒九李王職長官、児嶋同次官等を帯同、昌徳宮を御出発。京城陸軍病院に御成り遊ばされたこの日、病院では国旗を掲げ、竹原京城師団長、井原朝鮮軍参謀長、進藤同軍医部長、有富京城師団参謀長、丹羽同軍医部長、石松病院長以下将校等正門内に整列。奉迎申上ぐれば、自動車に召された両殿下には午前九時十五分御着。石松病院長の御先導にて病院長室の御休所に入らせられ御少憩の御のち竹原師団長、進藤朝鮮軍軍医部長、井原同参謀長、有富京城師団参謀長、丹羽同軍医部長、石松病院長に単独に謁を賜う。

次で両殿下には石松病院長の御先導にて列立拝謁室に当てられた会議室に入らせられ、病院附将校に列立拝謁を賜うた御のち、病院長室に御引返しになり、竹原師団長、井原朝鮮軍、有富師団両参謀長、進藤朝鮮軍、丹羽師団両軍医部長侍立のもとに石松病院長は陸軍病院の沿革、現状等の概況を言上した御のち、同九時四十分から石松病院長御先導、灰田診療主任扈従し、第二外科病室から順次御慰問、有難き御下問を拝し石松病院長から御説明申上げる。軽傷者は愛国館広間に整列奉拝し、御見舞いの御菓子料、御花を戴いた傷病兵は両殿下の御仁慈を恐懼感激し、益々再起奉公の決意を固めた。両殿下には病院長室に御休憩の御のち、正門内にて竹原師団長以下の奉送を受けさせられ、同十時十五分病院を御発、昌徳宮に御帰宮あらせられた。

竹原京城師団長謹話：李王殿下、同妃殿下には本日、当京城病院にお成りあらせられ親しく傷病兵を御見舞いあらせられ、その一人一人につき病状等を御聞き召され感激に堪えません。また御菓子料、御花を戴きまして傷病兵一同はこの厚き御心に対しまして心に深く再起奉公を誓ったことと存じます。

Source 1: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-06-29

Source 2: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-07-03

“The New Age Has Arrived”: Imperial Japanese Propaganda Manga from Occupied China, 1942

Just sharing a fascinating piece of historical artifact - a comic strip, or more accurately, a manga, published in the January 1, 1942 edition of the Xinshenbao (新申報) newspaper.

Some background for context: Xinshenbao was a Chinese language pro-Imperial Japan collaborationist newspaper that was published in Shanghai during the Imperial Japanese occupation period. This specific strip was published just after World War II had ignited, following the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The manga is aptly titled "The New Age has Arrived" (新時代来了) and serves as a very condensed and accessible vehicle for the narrative Imperial Japan wanted to promote.

The manga is split into two contrasting sides. The right side portrays what it calls the "Dark Ages (黒暗時代）" of colonialism, beginning with Christopher Columbus's journey to the Americas and the subsequent exploitation and colonization of various regions, particularly Asia. The comic strip graphically highlights the European powers' plundering of India, Vietnam, and China, and the subsequent events of the Opium Wars which resulted in Qing China ceding Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tianjin. It then concludes with a telling depiction of the US and Britain resting on the backs of exploited East Asian peoples, a clear image of colonial oppression.

The left side, on the other hand, brings forth what the manga terms the "Enlightened Age (光明時代）". Here, we see a caricatured version of world events from an Imperial Japanese perspective. Nazi Germany is shown striking back at Britain, while Imperial Japan sternly warns Britain against interference in East Asia. China is shown as a damsel in distress, presumably waiting for Japan, the knight in shining armor, to rescue her from Western oppression. Then the plot thickens, as the US is shown intimidating Japan with a firearm, egged on by a cheering Britain. But in a heroic turn of events, Japan retaliates, landing blows on both the US and Britain. The strip ends on a note of East Asian unity, showing the people cooperating to overthrow the colonial powers.

The purpose of this comic, much like most propaganda, is to galvanize support for Imperial Japan's cause by framing it as a heroic struggle against Western colonialism and imperialism. It's interesting how these narratives were disseminated through seemingly innocuous forms like comics, thereby reaching a wide audience, including children.

Source: https://www.archive.org/details/xsb-1942.01.01

Original:

Translation:

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