A. growing rapprochement with the National Government of the Republic of China as result of the reorlertation in Japanese foreign policy achieved "by Baron K. Shidehara, Foreign Minister, following the downfall of the Tanaka Gabfitet Into ase year. Japan followed a policy of strict neutrality in the warfare between the Notthrebel coalition and the ational Government in Nanking suffered little criticism during the struggle. Efforts to renew the Important Sino-Japanese commer cial treaty—basic agreement between the two powers—were con-Hinued. The boycotts of Japanete goods which had marked previous years in China, disappeared.
'A. marked increase in the trend towards closer ce-operation and friendship between the Empire and the Government and the people of the United States, in the spirit of the Kellogg-Briand treaty outlawing ars of aggression as a means of ttling disputes. Japanese statement repeatedly stressed their belief the "'Warless Treaty," as the Kellogg Pact is known in Japan, a very real force in international affairs, and interpreted the London Naval' Agreement as another ste) in the fruition of this new spirit in world friendship.
Extreme patriots and reactionaries criticized the London Treaty, Lut the great bulk of the people: gave it their whole-hearted support. Premier Hamaguchi was able to force it through the Privy Council elmest solely because
opinion. attitude of the Emperor and publi Domestic Polities In the field of domestic politics ihe year was generally quiet, the Government (Minseito) Party] winning a sweeping victory in the general elections held during, February. The Government enjoyed considerable popularity despite its programme of drastic economy, hich many elements of society blamed in part for the seve economic depression.
The chief event in the Imps winily, after the announcemen® regard to the Empress was the marriage of Prince Takamatsu, recond younger brother of the emperor, to Miss Kikuko Tokugawa, descendang of the Tokugawa Following the' maz in the Shinto "rites February 4, the Imperial couple. departed ona world tout, to return the state visit. of the Duke of, Gloucester last anil to conte high decoration on the King of
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