On the home front, the Konoye Cabinet clamped down even firmer
dictatorial control. All political parties “voluntarily” dissolved in
the summer of 1940. There was a plan afoot to curb the Diet’s influence
by amending the Election Law to give fewer people votes. And the
extremists began to organize a mass fascist party, with local units
throughout the country.
These efforts achieved some practical results. The outspoken criticism
marking previous Diet sessions was less apparent in 1940-41. The “near
neighbor” groups, set up by the new fascist party, gave the authorities
a means of checking up closely on popular opinion, and taking measures
to suppress opposition as soon as it appeared. Economic difficulties
were piling up, and the need for repression was becoming greater.
Rationing of sugar, charcoal and matches, begun in 1940, was extended
to rice early in 1941.