Daysofthenap1

Days of the North American Post

“Thoughts on the Inaugural Issue”

Original Issue Date: June 5, 1946
Reissue Date: September 14, 2011

The “North American Post” has been born into the world. Because it has been given life by the local community, itself in the process of rebuilding, it is, exceedingly, a very “poor” piece of work. It’s surely not something so grand or self indulgent to be named a “guidepost” or a “bellwether” of society.

Even if we try to imagine, “I wonder where those people are and what they’re doing”: or, “I wonder what they are trying to do with their lives,” there’s no reason to think we would know that kind of thing. Already, for half a year, many voices have been clamoring for a system of reporting and relaying information. “Well if that’s the case,” we thought, “why not publish a weekly paper that will be useful for
exchanging information amongst local areas?” This is the result we came up: “The North American Post.”

Therefore, this is by no means a “newspaper.” It’s more like a “bulletin board” put up on proverbial “Main
Street.” If there are people who post their business and classifieds on such a board, those of us passing by will naturally read them. Or, we might just simply walk briskly by. If there are posts of interest, we’ll write our own replies-but-we hope everyone refrains from frivolous posting, in particular, we wish to avoid mindless scribbling. Though, if every now and then there’s some inspired, genuinely poetic scribbling, I suppose it’s really nothing to get upset about is it?

The two people who came up with the plan for the “North American Post” were Kunizo Maeno and Sadahiko Ikoma. It was precisely when I had returned, in abrupt fashion, that they foisted the idea
on me: “Since you’re the news guy, as long as you’re back here you should take it on yourself to run this paper.”

With today’s society the way it is, it’s nearly impossible to run a daily publication; even putting out a weekly publication, it’s extremely doubtful whether you’d make up all of the expenses. Everyone knows that if you put your hand out without thinking you might get burned – and I was hesitant to adopt such
a venture. Still, as I’d planned on taking it easy for some time, why not try it out half as a hobby, I said to myself; and getting the devoted cooperation of Mr. Maeno and Mr. Sadahiko, we’re finally bringing you
the inaugural issue of the Post.

That being said, a new kind of newspaper is needed for the new age. Those who will take the limelight on the new stage of this era should be the up-and-coming talents and young celebrities. Those of the past should keep offstage and remain in obscurity.

Thus, I’m anxiously anticipating the arrival of the new “news guys.”

My own task is nothing more than paving and remaking the roads for those that will come after me.

Japan – our Japan, that lies far off to the horizon across the sea – having recently been christened a democracy, has gotten off to a fresh start. Our society, by means of a new system of leadership, must also establish our own vast, new beginning.

Instead of accepting entirely the notions of the past, in order to break free and find our way in the new era, we wait for the appearance of a new class of leaders.

Even as we at the Post struggle to establish ourselves in the world – like some haggardly pre-mature, malnourished child – it’s thanks to the guidance, encouragement, and support of all of our readers that we may yet gain liveliness and health, much like the young sweetfish that flash through the waters of
the babbling brooks.

For the first edition of this paper, we wish to express our deep and humble gratitude to the many people who have supported us along the way, and we hope to meet all of your various expectations in the future.

Sumio Arima,
Chief Editor

[Editor’s Note]
The series will feature The North American Post archives looking back at the community news, issues, activities and situations. The articles will be regularly posted every week. This statement was printed in Japanese in the first edition of The North American Post in June, 1946.