Pacific Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 10, 1948, Tokyo, T�ky�                                The month of May 1948, May Well Mark an important step in the political social an economic future of Japan. Towards becoming a Good neighbor in International relations for to was then that a fundamental revel Jym occurred or inthe form of observing youths " Day by a half million boys and girls their parents and friends. It is perhaps a cliche Foay that the youth of today Are the leaders of tomorrow but the Safe French evaluate youth and make the most of this knowledge in present Day opportunities. " a practical lesson in civics was Given to Japa Nese students their parents and governmental officials at prefectural and municipal Levels in the election of students to sit and act As local autonomy officials for a Day on May 5 in the Tokai Hok Riku Region of Honshu. "1 have a new understanding of the working of democracy in a government position. The True Worth of this actual study lies in this sort of participation. Says Kiyoshi. Yamada a boy governor for the Day in Gifu prefecture. As an indication of How widespread this practical lesson in local civics was carried 555,500 boys and girls representing 2,040 registered schools in the five prefectures Aiichi Mie Gifu Toyama and Ishikawa of the Region directly and indirectly took part in the program. In preparation for the election of 778 prefectural and 21,364 City District town and Village officials the teachers at those schools which represent one half of the total number1 in the Region and one third of All the students registered at the schools expounded to their pupils the elements of local government. The students heard their confreres orate and debate in campaigning for office on vital problems of the Day. Some of these campaigners were confronted with questions which their teachers could not answer so parents were quizzed with apathetic results however parents became More sympathetic ast a Campaign became hotter. Human nature being what it is it was Only natural that some of the duly elected officials and elders of the Community looked on with amuse Merit at the efforts of the Youthful aspirants even if office holding was Only for one Day. However by and Large the governors mayors Village head men and other officials joined enthusiastically in the Observance of t in occasion. The boys and girls welcomed this unheard of precedent of being Able to sit in the governor s office or being mayor for a Day or occupying the Post of a director. The Novelty of it was seized by then with Youthful vigor. Their elders who occupied office by election were not unaware of the publicity value of cooperating with their youth Ful office holders for a Day. The youths Day program was a huge Success in the eyes of its originator colonel Fernand g. Dumont new York cite if senior military govern ment officer of the Tokai Hok Riku Region. In the United states boys Day boy mayor and Cracy the Youthful aspirants to executive position in the state Commonwealth incorporated cities and the counties conduct vigorous and arduous campaigns for election to office. New York City has its own boys Day. And so to the far West in Honolulu Hawaii the mayor turns Over the City to a boy mayor for a Day. It was Early in March while colonel Dumont was discussing youth problems with one of his senior military government officers it. Col. Myron d Cook of the Shizuoka military government team that the idea of a Region wide youths Day program was conceived. A wide application of this project is to be instituted in All cities townships and villages wherein Amble by permitting the students to sit one Day Side their seniors for the purpose of acquaint ing the school children with the operation of their own government he wrote to his officers com manding the five prefectural military government Biumi m ivc j o teams the Date of May 5 was set for formalities. It is a Day Well known in Japan As boy Day at which time scores of huge paper Carp Fly from Long poles. For two months proceeding this Date officials of military government teams and japanese prefectural and municipal offices conferred and promulgated plans for the occasion. The newly creat  information Section of military government took measures to assure widespread use of news paper radio and other informational Media. The students of the Junior and senior High schools participated in the program and in Aichi prefecture the students of the sixth Grade were participants. Elections were by secret ballot similar to the balloting in National and local elections. Students to the offices were elected by popular vote or after election selected by Scholas tic achievement. The allocation of prefectural and municipal offices was made by educational and other governmental officials. In Ishikawa prefecture there was a boy governor and a girl governor. One half of the offices in Tomania prefecture were held by girls and in Gifu prefecture the girls occupied one third of the offices. " publicity on the general plan began april 28 and continued until three Days after formal a Tivi ties of the youths Day program ended. Fifteen Hundred posters heralding the event were Distri buted in Mie prefecture. The entire Issue of the Semi governmental Organ Mie Ken Jiho was devoted to youths Day activities. Twenty boys and girls in Kanazawa City Ishikawa prefecture conducted on the spot news reporting for the May 5 edition of the local newspapers. The it re edition of May 5 of the Kita Nippon Shimun of Toyana City Toyama prefecture was assembled edited and published by the students with the help of newspaper personnel. Mock assemblies were held in Aiichi Mie and Toyama prefectures officials were m attendance to assist and advise the boys and girls. The youth Ful directors and chiefs of departments of Anchi prefecture were questioned on food Dis Ribu Ion prevention of Black markets new school system land Reform Farmers training Institute youth leadership training juvenile delinquency social education and women s organizations. Evolved connection with the prefectural Assembly. In response to a Youthful Toyama City questioner on Black Market operations the police chief for the Day Futao mine Ami replied if All the Black marketeers would be arrested the people of the prefecture would starve. I would like to get rid of the big Black Market operators instead of the Small ones who carry Rice or Sweet potatoes on. Electric  i another official for Day was asked about Black Market curbing and he said i understand. This problem is connected with that of other prefectures. So i would like to find out a greater method of control.". The japanese children their parents and their sympathisers have Learned another lesson in the great school of democratic Independence it is hoped that the statement of student Yasuhiro Kato of Aiichi prefecture in speaking of the spirit of youths Day becomes True i never expect such a system will die in Japan.", boy govern of Kly Oakl Oil bake. A my in the photo head wife Ftfe Fretwe