TRADE CONDITIONS IN JAPAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4310, 29 August 1921, Page 3

TRADE CONDITIONS IN JAPAN.

MARKET FOR BRITISH GOODS. Mr Douglas M. Young, of the Far Eastern Advertising Agency, Kobe, Japan, and recently on a visit to Great Britain, had much to tell that was most interesting concerning trade conditions in the Island Empire. Mr 'Young has .spent abou«t twenty years in that country. “The slump,” he said, “has affected Japan, but not so much as .this country; While helping us to win the war Japan has become rich, and there is still a great deali of money. I think the visit of the Crown Prince to Great Britain augurs well for future business relations between the two, countries, for the Japanese must be very gratified at the splendid reception he was accorded. The visit was announced as non-political, but it certainly was a very remarkable indication of the friendly feeling which Japan and this country entertain for each other.

“Wherever I go in London I am met wi;th the remark that-it is very difficult to do business with. Japan because of imitation by her of Britisn goods and on account of the breaches of contract of her business men ; but the Japanese are not the only offenders in this respect.. During the war a large number of mushroom firms were established, to execute the orders which were pouring in from all quarters, and the fac-t encouraged unscrupulous houses.to export inferior imitations. I am sure i.t is realised by the better class Japanese that it was a very big mistake to allow such goods to leave the country ; and I find on my visit here that such, action has reflected very seriously on general •trade cohditipns. BRITISH GOODS POPULAR. “The Japanese have lilting - for imported goods, and there is a preference for the Britismmade article. The Japanese factories that have been turning ‘out goods during the .war rush were in very large measure equipped with British machinery; and. so good was it that wherever one goes in the manufacturing districts one hears it spoken of in the highest terms. The trouble has been that during’ the war period it was impossible to secure British machinery, With .the result that Americans have stolen a march on us. This is particularly the case with regard to textile machinery, but I know that, m "many cases this has not been satisfactory, for the Japanese weavers have become accustomed to British appliances.” « A WIDENING MARKET.’ “The Japanese are rapidly adopting European methods, and. the country is being linked up by electric railways. In these districts many European villas are being built. . while modern European buildings are being erected in all the principal ci,ties. This, of, course, .means European furniture, and the male members of almost every family of any standing are adopting European dress. So almost any article in use in Eurgpe - finds a market in. Japan. Some of those articles are being made in Japan, but it is undeniable that .the quality is inferior, arid the richer classes are .at all times anxious to have the genuine imported, goods,. A great deal has been heard in Japan lately of the ‘luxurious tendencies’ of the people. This should be good for British trade/’ “In conclusion,” Mr Young said, “The Japanese are now so well off, and their standard of living has so greatly improved, that there is an excellent market in the country for British goods. I have found British firms very ready to consider the possibilities of developing trade with the Island Empire once I have overcome the prejudice to which I have referred.”