Japanese city fell into the housing shortage, which was caused by intensification of war during WWII. To deal with this situation, Division of Housing in Ministry of Health and Welfare held HMC (Housing Measures Committee) and drafted “The report of HMC”. Researches of the past pointed out its aspect of housing supply measures.
On the other hand, HPRCD (Housing Policy Researching Committee of Dojunkai) tried to draft the Housing Act at the same time. It was drafted by four sections in HASRS (“Housing Act” Special Researcher Society), the research group of HPRCD that have researching themes as follows: Section 1 (Housing census), Section 2 (Housing standardization), Section 3 (Housing supervision) and Section 4 (Housing supply).
This paper shows a process of formulation of “the report of HMC” and its significance in the history of Japanese housing policy by associating activity of HPRCD with “the report of HMC”. We reveal facts as follows;
Officials of Division of Housing tried to hold Housing Policy Committee to establish housing policy that modelled after Western countries. They also took part in activities of HPRCD and intended to enact Housing Act as uniform law about housing. However, they could not hold Housing Policy Committee because of intensification of war. Actually, they had to follow political line that contributes to production expansion and solve housing shortage in areas of munitions factories and urban cities the highest priority. Given this situation, they decided to hold HMC and incorporate ideas gotten thorough research of HPRCD with “the report of HMC”
“The report of HMC” was composed of as follows;
(1) “Guideline to found Rented House Owner Association (tentative)”
(2) “Guideline of special measures of housing supply”
(3) “Guideline to found Housing Corporation (tentative)”
(4) “Guideline of housing census”
(5) “Several methods needed for carrying out housing measures”.
The measures of (1), (2), (3) and (5) were drafted based on evaluation that was shown from the research by Section 4 of HASRS. Especially, establishment of Housing Corporation was discussed first of all at HMC because it was considered as most effective way by Section 4. Moreover, matters had been researched by Section 1 was strongly reflected on (4). Section 2 and Section 3 couldn't incorporate their ideas into “the report of HMC” because the measures concerning housing standardization and supervision did not directly contribute to solving housing shortage. However, they made effort to realize their ideas during HMC.
“The report of HMC” played important role in proposing housing supply measures at WW II such as the Housing Corporation Act. Moreover, this paper shows its significance that it was product of compromise of activity of drafting Housing Act. Therefore it partially included ideas gotten thorough comprehensive research about housing policy.
