The lengths to which the Japanese authorities go to suppress gambling among their people sometimes appear lightly ludicrous to the average hon-Japanese, An excellent example the recent movement to ban bets fond wagers on golf courses through= out the country, this extending: to wagers for golf' balls, or to dieing the club houses, A' casual survey fof the country would appear to In-Aicate that these strenuous efforts fare unnecessary, for the Japan:
apparently are more free of the instinct to gamble than the majority of the world's people. Games of chance and skill have been known in Japan since its earliest history, and sport, especially the more martial vanely, has held a big place in the customs of the people. The saddling of these sports, no matter how epectacular, with the side issue of betting, didn't scorn to occur to sportsmen through the years. Even the islands! close "proximity to China, where gambling has such a hold' on the people, did not seem to affect Japat Tt was not until the Influx of modern ideas that it became a problem, It was then discovered that, however quiescent it may have been, the gambling instinct was very strong in the Japanese, So avidly did they turn' "fo the many forms of wagering, os they do here in Shanghai' and elsewhere in the world where organized means of betting exist, that the authorities Decame alarmed and set out to suppress these means wherever they cropped up. In this they have been very successful. Even at race tracks only "3. very limited pari-mutuel system is allowed, and this Is 20 restricted that it holds ttle 6r no Appeal to hardened punters. All gambling is against the law, and this same law. permits of individuals' homes being raided without warrants, should there be suspicion of gambling, On occasions, this has been embarrassing for many foreigners, who have been rudely disturbed In their homes or their clubs when playing quiet games of bridge or whist. Practically minded, offeial Japan has been tolerant of the foreigner and allowed him, within reason, to continue the eusioms brought from his home Jand, Zealous junior officials cannot, however, always be held completely In cheek, "Wherever Japanese are in contact with foreigners gambling is Figorously suppressed, in order that the people of the country may not be tempted to follow the lead of the visitors. This accounts for the fact that there are few political disturb ances over the problems which periodically upset western lands,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.