JAPAN CALM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1940, Page 6

JAPAN CALM

BUT BELT BEING TIGHTENED EMPEROR AS GOD. CHANGES OWING TO WAR. Japan is’the calmest country I have visited for a long time, writes 'Neill James, from Tokio. There is little the foreigner sees on the surface to indicate that the country has been at war with China for three years. Seaside and mountain resorts open on schedule. Theatres and motion-pic-ture houses enjoy business as usual. So do cafes and restaurants. A new class of spender has sprung up in Japan. The well-paid munitions worker is creating a boom in the better class of amusement and restaurant trade. The Imperial Hotel, social centre for foreigners in Tokio, is filled to capacity. Where formerly the guests were mostly foreigners, today 90 per cent of them are Japanese. The hotel has a roofgarden restaurant where foreign motion pictures are shown. But gone is the word “fupii” (Nipponese equivalent for “whoopee”) from the vocabulary. Frivolity is banished. There is little drinking, with whisky at 45 yen a bottle, and a sober tone prevails in the places of amusement.

A few minor restrictions indicate that the country is tightening its oelt, and the man in the street is warned tp prepare for further sacrifices. A rationing system has already been established in some commodities. For instance, an adult is allowed a little less than a pound of sugar a month. Five match-sticks are his daily quota. A number, of imported luxuries, such as foreign films, cameras, tobacco and woollen yarn, have disappeared from markets. “Sufu,” a staple fibre made of pulp wood processed and mixed with cotton, has practically replaced cotton goods. At first oloth was made which contained 30 per cent staple fibre and 70 per cent cotton. Recently the percentage has been reversed. “Sufu” wears very well, makes a good covering, but it has no warmth and will not absorb moisture. Expectant mothers are delighted with a recent edict which permits babies to have a quota of six yards of pure cotton goods for diapers. The Government has already issued a warning that the use of energy in the manufacture of luxuries to be used by the few must cease. The growing of unnecessary foodstuffs in the luxury class, such as strawberries, will be prohibited. “Please do not travel just for pleasure" is the appeal issued to the citizens by the Government in an effort to relieve transportation systems clogged with traffic. However, the citizens continue to get about and I find the hot springs resorts crowded. The first day of each month is designated as “East Asia Day” and is observed throughout Japan. Cafes and saki houses are closed. So are all geisha houses. Tokio’s geisha, clad in gay kimono and bright obis, go to Atami, a famous hot springs resort on the Isu Peninsula, for the holidays. Revisiting the Orient after an absence of six ■years, I find many changes. Jinrickshas, once so typical of Japan, have practically disappeared from the streets. During a month I have seen but two actually carrying' passengers. Even the taxi shortage, due to the gasoline situation, has not brought them back. Bicycles are popular. The life of the people is being revolutionised. The race seems to be increasing in stature. It is not an uncommon sight to see children taller than their parents. Although there is no dearth of kimono-clad people in the streets, this mode of dress is rapidlj being replaced by foreign-style diess. Seventy-five per cent of the men wealtrousers to business. More than JU per cent of the children wear nonJapanese dress, which allows for greater freedom of movement. Women are slower to give up their attractive umono costumes. I find them Z, 0 a greater part in the nation li e ou side of the home. Many women speak some English, a revoluntary idea. Pei manent waves have taken the cou y by storm. At least 90 pel con women wear a wave in the han. >- . attractive they are. too. f A new Government bureau encouragement of the mo i n< ■ spiritual resources urges eve y nd vidual to aid the empire by tl e sw of the brow. There is a movement on foot to build the spiritual J life of empire around the Empeio J We living God. By order. rem ove slow down and passenger JS'as do' bicycles- The sSnls n,eking .... capital city is to go ( ’ nc ° 1 L , ■ , miner, onto face me paiacc, a bow lay a p.-ayec- Alta that they proceed with then sightsee ing.