the number of pages in each completed volume varied from 125 to 335 with an approximate average of 175 pages. the amount of research necessary to secure adequate information for the writing of these volumes was enormous. the cooperation of oss/casa outpost enabled the research group to secure access to materials drawn from all over the united states, and even from foreign countries. translation facilities of oss were provided, as were also the facilities of the translation pool of the japanese language school, university of michigan, and the translation pool. provost marshal general's office, washington. work on the manuals was delayed by the inability of the research staff to secure the services of an adequate number of typists. references to this difficulty are repeated many times in the weekly reports of the division. finally, when a deadline was set, it became necessary to transfer typists from other activities, and of course, for everyone to work under considerable pressure. by 20 july, 7 of the manuals had been completed and sent to oss/san francisco for off-set printing. even a cursory examination of the completed prefectural manuals shows that the group did a highly commendable job. most of the members of the research group were not trained in research. they had to work under pressure and do all kinds of work, even to editing and proofreading, and in some cases, typing. the completed volumes probably contain more information about japan than is to be found in any other single source in the english language.