TRADE WITH JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 11

TRADE WITH JAPAN.

POSSIBLE BENEFITS.

EASTERN- VISITOR'S VIEWS.

MARKET FOR N.Z. PRODUCE,

That it would be in the interests of New Zealand to foster trade with Japan rather than to place restrictive duties on Japanese exports was an opinion expressed by Mr. S. Okamoto, a representative of the Bridgestone Tyre Manufacturing Company, Kurume, one of the largest ru'bber firms in the country, in an interview with a representative of the "Press" in Chriatchurch. Mr. Okamoto said that Japan, with its large population, was already an important market for New Zealand produce, and it would become increasingly important to the producers of the Dominion, provided that the Japanese Government was not forced into the adoption of retaliatory tariffs. Mr. Okamoto's firm, which, produces an enormous quantity of tyres and of rubber boots and shoes daily, is one of the oldest in Japan, but has not hitherto done much business in New Zealand. Mr. Okamoto is making a six months' tour of the Dominion establishing business contacts with a view to extending the company's markets. Asked how he found business conditions in New Zealand, he said that competition was "terribly keen," but he was very hopeful that his visit would be successful. He said that in spite of the low prices of Japanese products made possible by their low production costs, the* exchange tariffs, and other conditions were very much more favourable to many of Japan's competitors. "Wool Requirements."I think there is room for a considerable increaso in New Zealand's exports to Japan," said Mr. Okamoto. "Japan has a very big demand for wool, butter, cheese and flax. It is often foigotten by the European countries that the Japanese require and use just as much wool as any other country. The climate is very similar to that of New Zealand, and there are the same requirements there for woollen clothing, and blankets. Moreover, there are very many factones in Japan that send woollen to various parts of the world." Mr. Okamoto said that the sources of Japan's wool supplies were Australia, South America, South Africa and London, as well as New "Zealand. The buying now, however, was mainly in Australia and New Zealand. He said'that some 6000 tons of butter and cheese were consumed bv Japan each year, and of this about 4000 tons, camc from Australia and New Zealand. Problems of Pacific. Mr. Okamoto laughed when the reporter mentioned the various sensational statements that have been made lately about Japan's ambitions in tI)Q Pacific. He said that it was quite impossible that Japan conld constitute a threat to any of the countries in the Pacific, let alone to those in the more remote parts of the ocean. "This talk about the pressure of population in Japan is very much exaggerated," he said. "In the first placo, Japan is an industrial country, and provided she can find the markets for her produce can support a large population. Although we have an unemployed problem, it is not really serious, and the number of the workless appears to be decreasing steadily." _ The object of Japan's activities in Manchuria was the establishment of_ a stable o-overnment there, for Manchuria, with its population of 3,000,000, presented a very desirable market for j Japanese goods. Settled political and , economic conditions,- however were essential to successful trade relations. |