Letter to Okano Susumu[1]

(May 28, 1945)

Comrade Okano Susumu:

I have read this piece[2] and find it to be a good article. Through it, I have gained an understanding of the concrete program of the Japanese Communist Party. In my view, the provision concerning the confiscation of monopoly capital (that which controls the livelihood of the nation) is entirely correct. This provision is likewise upheld by the Communist Parties of Britain and France, and the Chinese Party as well. Now, the Japanese Party has also adopted it. Only the American Communists have yet to accept this provision. On this point, they have not put forward anything; they may have their own reasons, but I am rather skeptical, and I think they will find no way out. This point awaits further study. I

[1] Okano Susumu, i.e., Nosaka Sanzo. In May 1943, after the dissolution of the Communist International, Nosaka Sanzo accepted Mao Zedong’s suggestion and adopted the name “Okano Susumu.” This letter contains Mao Zedong’s opinions on the draft speech Nosaka Sanzo prepared for the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Among the issues, the question of Japan’s emperor system was a focal point of attention. At that time, within the Japanese Communist Party, leaders such as Tokuda Kyuichi and Shiga Yoshio advocated “overthrowing the emperor system,” while Nosaka Sanzo advocated letting the Japanese people decide by vote whether to abolish the emperor system. The view Nosaka Sanzo put forward in his draft speech was: “The question of the retention or abolition of the emperor should be decided as soon as possible after the war by a general vote of the people.” Mao Zedong was aware of the desire of the Chinese people and the people of the world at that time to abolish the emperor system. However, considering the actual conditions that might emerge in postwar Japan and the still insufficient strength of the Japanese Communist Party, he believed that if a referendum were held hastily, the majority would probably still choose to continue the emperor system. Therefore, he suggested that Nosaka Sanzo remove the words “as soon as possible.” The subsequent 60 years of historical development have proven that Mao Zedong’s foresight was entirely correct. The emperor system of Japan has not been abolished to this day.

[2] Refers to Nosaka Sanzo’s article “Building a Democratic Japan.”

would also like to offer your views for consideration. Have you read Comrade Browder’s[1] book *Teheran*, published last year? I hope you will take a look at it. Let us discuss it together some other day.

In addition, there are a few minor points, listed as follows:

On page 15, line 2, the phrase “new soldiers and old soldiers are relatively numerous”—does it mean “new soldiers are more numerous than old soldiers”? If so, I think it would be better to correct it.

On page 31, line 5, the three characters “上下级” (superior and subordinate) in “superior and subordinate commanders”—I think it would be better to remove them. On the same page, line 9, the two characters “大小” (big and small) in “big and small politicians”—I think it would be better to change them to “reactionary.” On the same page, line 10, the two characters “下层” (lower-level) in “lower-level fascist elements”—I think it would be better to remove them. On the same page, line 11, after “thought procurators, etc.,” I think it would be better to add the words “the activist elements among them.” At present, since we are in a period of propaganda, it is inappropriate to involve a broader scope. When it comes to the future period of implementation, depending on the degree of mass mobilization, I think it will be advantageous to adopt more flexible countermeasures at that time.

On page 37, line 10, the two characters “尽快” (as soon as possible) in “decided as soon as possible by a general vote of the people”—I think they can be deleted. On this question of voting, whether it will be advantageous to do it earlier or later at that time should be decided according to the circumstances. I surmise that the matter of making the Japanese people dispense with the emperor will probably not be realized within a short period.

The above, please consider. Afterward, please send it to Bogu[2] for publication and have it broadcast by the radio station. With comradely salutations!

Mao Zedong

May 28

[1] Then General Secretary of the Communist Party of the United States.
[2] Then editor-in-chief of *Liberation Daily*.