Supply Situation of Consumer Goods During the War

Table 1.2 below shows the availability of daily consumer goods in July 1945, starting with foodstuffs and taking 1941, the year the supply situation became tense, as the base year of 100.

Table 1.2 : Supply situation of consumer goods during the war

Category

1941

July 1945

1937

July 1945

Rice

11.74 million kg

9.42 million kg

Cotton textile 200

Meat

100

20%

Wool textiles 100

Fish

100

30%

Worker's Boots 100

10%

Condiment

100

50% or less

Soap 100

Paper 100

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Source: Ohara Institute of Social Research, Taiheiyo Senso Ka no Kokumin Seikatsu (National Life During the Pacific War).

From the figures in Table 1.2, we see that, compared to 1941, the supply of meat fell by 20%, that of fish by 30%, and that of spices by less than 50% in July 1945. If we compare other goods with the figures for 1937, we see that the situation is even worse, for example, cotton textiles fell by 2% compared to the figures for 1937, woollen goods by 1%, workers' boots by 10%, soap by 4%, and paper by 8%.

Not only was the material life of the Japanese people miserable, but the spiritual life of the Japanese people during the war was also suffocated. They were constantly monitored by the police, any statements that expressed doubt about the government and the war, and any acts of gathering in large numbers were completely banned or suppressed.

It is clear that, in order to serve the territorial expansionist ambitions of the Japanese militarists and tycoons, the people of this country were forced to make sacrifices, to live in extremely materially deprived conditions and to be mentally repressed. But unfortunately, the aggressive, brutal and barbaric acts of fascism ended in a disastrous end, marking a humiliating and miserable page in the history of Japan. Therefore, when talking about the war years, the Japanese people are still shocked. At the same time, the humiliating failure and the enormous price paid for an arrogant ambition to invade made the Japanese people in general and the Japanese leaders in particular realize one thing: It is impossible to develop a country by exploiting, forcing and suppressing its own people and invading and oppressing the people of other countries by force, but must be through economic development measures in a democratic and peaceful environment, making everyone voluntarily use all their available resources to serve the country.

1.2. The serious consequences of war

Japan's defeat and humiliation were even greater because after accepting the "Posdam Declaration" and unconditionally surrendering to the Allies, Japan was also occupied by the Allies and, in fact, the Americans.

At the same time, the end of World War II left Japan with a country heavily devastated and in ruins, causing the economy to stagnate.

almost stopped, industrial and agricultural production dropped to only a fraction of pre-war levels, people's lives were extremely difficult.

1.2.1. Economic exhaustion

The enormous human and material losses exhausted Japan. Not only did Japan lose all its colonies (an area equivalent to 44% of the total area of Japan), but its economy was also completely destroyed.[19, p. 61 ]

Including those killed in action or from disease on the front, the figure reached about 1.14 million in the army and 410,000 in the navy. Allied air raids killed another 300,000, bringing the total number of dead, wounded and missing in action to 2.53 million. Including those killed, wounded and missing abroad, the figure reached 3 million.

Along with the human losses, the heavy material damage caused by the war left the whole of Japan devastated. Up to 40% of Japan's urban areas were devastated and about 2,250,000 houses were destroyed, of which most of the major cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, were largely destroyed by American bombs. 34% of industrial machinery and equipment, 25% of high-rise buildings and 81% of ships were destroyed. The total value of the war damage amounted to 64.3 billion yen, accounting for 1/3 of the total value of the country's remaining assets after the war, which was 188.9 billion yen. This figure is also approximately equal to the total value of national assets in 1935. The war destroyed a huge amount of Japanese assets, equivalent to all the wealth accumulated in 10 years, from 1935 to 1945. The material losses were calculated as twice the total national income in the fiscal year 1948 - 1949. The assets belonging to fixed capital were destroyed in general, 25% of the constructions, 75% of the ports, 3.5% of the bridges, 7.5% of the railways, 10 ...

railways and 82% of civilian ships. Industrial output in 1946 fell to less than one-third of the total output in 1930 and one-seventh of the output in 1941. Economically exhausted, militarily crushed and spiritually devastated, it can be said that after the war, Japan was truly exhausted. [24, p. 62]

In addition, during the war, most of Japan's industrial establishments focused on the production of military equipment (such as weapons, ammunition and clothing) for the war. The end of the war meant that this military industrial network could no longer be used for the recovery and development of production, as it was no longer suitable. Therefore, all means of producing aircraft and military weapons in factories, especially military and naval warehouses, were destroyed. In addition, 50% of machinery and equipment in shipyards, power plants and steel factories were also dismantled. According to analysts, fixed capital in 1945 decreased by 25% compared to the peak of the war period and was approximately equal to the level in 1935. Therefore, production capacity was severely reduced. For example, steel production capacity was only 2.5 million tons. Industrial output was pushed back to 1926-1930 levels. It is estimated that Japan lost a quarter of its productive national assets during the war. Table 1.3 provides some statistics on Japan's losses in the Pacific War.

1.2.2. Extremely difficult economy

After the war, Japan also had to face the situation of siege and embargo from the outside, causing the import of raw materials from outside to be interrupted. As we know, as an island nation of 3,900 large and small islands with an area of 378,000 km 2 and only 30% of the area is cultivated, the source of natural resources is limited.

Japan had almost no mineral resources and had to import them. Therefore, many analysts believe that the interruption of raw material imports did more damage to the economy than the destruction of fixed capital. Imports in 1946 were only one-eighth of those in 1935. Along with the blockade of imports, domestic coal production also fell sharply as Chinese and South Korean miners, in addition to the majority of those drafted into the military during the war, returned home. The number of miners thus fell dramatically, by 40%, from 460,000 in 1944 to 270,000 in 1945. This process also caused chaos, including frequent strikes and even riots in many coal mines.

Table 1.3 : Total value of Japanese losses in the Pacific War

(Unit: billion yen)

Category

Total Damage	Property value not damaged	National wealth remained at the end of the war. painting	Percentage of property destroyed	National wealth in 1935, measured in terms of end-of-war values
Total national assets	64.3	253.1	188.9	25	186.7
Buildings and other structures	22.2	90.4	68.2	25	76.8
Industrial machinery	8.0	23.3	15.4	34	8.5
Ship	7.4	9.1	1.8	82	3.1
Power supply facilities and equipment and gas	1.6	14.9	13.3	11	9.0
Furniture and household items	9.6	46.4	36.9	21	39.3
Manufactured items	7.9	33.0	25.1	24	23.5

Source: Economic Stabilization Board, Taiheiyo Senso ni Yoru Wagakuni no Higai Sogo Hokokusho (Comprehensive Report on Our Country's Losses in the Pacific War), 1949. [44, p. 36]

During this period, due to the end of the war and the stagnation of production, the number of unemployed people increased sharply and the supply of jobs decreased, leading to widespread unemployment and the consequence was the risk of social disorder lurking throughout the country. Specifically, during this period, 7.61 million soldiers of the reserve forces were disbanded, 4 million people serving in military agencies and factories or military activities were unemployed due to the suspension of production, including 750,000 women and about 1.5 million people returning from overseas colonies. The total number of unemployed people reached 13.1 million people. If we exclude those who could later return to their old jobs, and farmers who could return to the countryside to farm, this number would also reach 10 million people.[44, p. 45]. Many people were homeless and places such as parks, bridges, and public places became places of refuge for discharged soldiers from Taiwan, Korea, Manchuria, and other Asian countries. In Japan, during this time, although there were very few beggars and robberies were rare, "black markets" sprung up in great numbers, especially in places like Tokyo and some other large cities. Many unemployed people found jobs in the black market, petty trading, etc. Unemployment, homelessness, and black markets gave rise to many other social diseases such as diseases, prostitution, etc. These were difficult problems that occurred in all countries after the war, and Japan was no exception. Energy and food shortages also occurred severely.

The main energy sources, coal and hydroelectricity, were severely reduced and could not meet the demand. In the fall of 1945, the coal industry could only supply 1 million tons/month, only ensuring demand at 1/4 - 1/3 of the pre-war supply. The main reason for this situation, as mentioned above, was that the Chinese and Koreans who had previously been forced laborers refused to continue working, causing the mines to

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