The Japan Year Book for 1923 is the 17th publication of that useful handbook. This edition, we are told, has been practically re-written from cover to COver In order to keep "it abreast with the radical changes which the times have wrought on Japan both in internal and external relations." Its _rehability may be guaged from the fact that the editor feels it incumbent upon him to thank no fewer than 18 gentlemen—each an expert in some subject—besides many friends in the Home and Foreign Offices, Army, Navy aul Communications Departments and other official quarters.
No writer or business man interested in Japanese questions can afford to be without this useful book of reference. Its comprehensive articles om Japanese politics, Government statistics and diplomacy will appeal to the former, whilst the interesting chapters on AKailways, Shipping, Finance and Trade will be invaluable to the latter. Other useful sections are the Who's Who in Japan" and the Business Directory. Those who want more detailed information than it is possible to give in a volume of some 200 pages wil] find the bibliography at the end of the book a useful guide to fresh Sources of information as also the list of learned and social institutions.
Besides keeping one in toUch With current atfatrs, the handbook is useful in a retrospective sense, inasmuch as it—includes a diary recording we principal events of the preceding year and ah obituary list of outstanding public men. -It is neatly boun. in a green cover and hag excellent maps of Japan, Korea and Manchuria.
Sir Francis Aglen, Inspector-General of Customs, having returned to Peking, the following ges in the Service will take:—Mr. C. A. V. Bowra, Officiating-Inspector-General of Customs, will be transferred to take charge of the Chinese Customs in London, Mr. R. H. R. Wade, late of Tientsin, will go as Commissioner to Kowloon, and Mr. J. 'W. Stephenson will become Chief Secretary, officiating. Mr. A.H.E. Edwards, from Shanghai, is to succeed Mr. Stephenson as personal secretary.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.