To do anything like justice to Japan's industrial enterprises would) Fequire a volume in Itself; so that, in this article, tis only possible to touch on a few instructive facts. investigated conditions in many fac tories, mines and workshops and went to see several home indus-
The latter are numerous, smal undertakings, usually employing less than five. persons. Consequently, they do not fall within the scope of the Factory. Act which regulates hours of work and health insurance. Nevertheless, they produce at least ten percent. of Japan's industrial ulpvt and cannot, therefore, be disregarded, even in' this brief review. Here, conditions are far from salis-factory, It is not unusual for those engaged in home enterprises. to be ven at work from dawn until mid~ cramped, badly ventilated find (in the case of polishers of small machine parts) dangerously dusty "They earn, on an average, just bout sufficient to keep body and. Soul together and holidays are 'Tarily, 'Tuberculosis, trachoma and kindred diseases are rife amongst them. Yet, in fairness to Japan, It must' be slated that-although indus-{lat social welfare work Is stil comparatively "new to her, strenuous fforis are being made by the Government lo Improve the conditions the workers everywhere 'With regard to the factories, mines and larger workshops, I visited: if they could not all be described as Ideal, they appeared, generally adequate. One oF two' of the most modern steuetures T saw, compare jory favourably with the best to be Found anywhere in the world and the' same applies to the ideal conditions under which these employees: were seen at work. First and fore~ most, T was struck by the dexterity; Of the workpeople. It was both treat and an education to waleh them at their labour.
Wages are diMeult to classify, by reason of the various bonus systems: ranging anywhere between a month's anda year's extra pay. Even then, in (erms of international exchange ut not necessarily in purchasing] power), the rates are unquestionably far below those paid in the West. Hours of work are from eight to twelve per day, the latter figure would include an hour and a halt Fest period. Two days a month holiday Is more or less the rule.
Wages Low but Workers Happy Nevertheless, and this is the crux of the labour question, although wages are lower, hours of work are Tonger and holidays fewer in Japan than in other industrial countries the men and women workers. Nippon are happier and more contented with their lot than their higher salaried brothers and sisters other lands, Tt is quite incorrect to assume that there is anything unfair the competition of Japanese: labour. Both men and women appeared well nourished, and then children, "even inthe poorest dis-{res were more' warmly clad than 'The fish meal and' the peppermint and menthol industries are, 1 learned, of growing importance to Japan. Until 1xeached Hokkaido, 1 ho idea that one small island pretesture produces 8 per cent. -of the world's peppermint and menthol requirements. The fish meal industry consists of the boiling down, drying fand grinding into, powder of various species of fish. This powder is used fas a food for humans (best quality), also for cattle and poultry, but in the main, it is used as fertilizer. All practically is" exported, Lasi year America was the best customer; previously it had been Germany.
Production il production in Japan is three mes what it was we Years ago and 60 per cent. more than last year. Although dellling in the new. Akita li elds began only last spring, by the end of 1035, this prefecture wat producing 70 per cent. of Japan's! folal domestic supply. Yabasi, the most lucrative field' in this region, produces an average of 400 tons of rude oil per day at a depth of 100 200 metres. That Immense quan-ities of this precious liquid lie further below the surface, has also been established. The search for oil has spread to every quarter of the Japanese Empire and drills are working night and day. Last November, all was discovered in South' Saghalien. In Formosa, I learn on vellable authority, prospects are ex~ cellent: all gas having been already
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.