LIFE IN JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 255, 24 July 1937, Page 9

LIFE IN JAPAN

Best Theatre Seats Cost Only 7(L NEW ZEALANDER’S TRIP Impressions of life and conditions in the East were given to “'The Dominion” by Mr. W. Keller, late of Keller’s Hotel, Hokitika, who returned this week after a four months’ trip abroad. Mr. Keller, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter, visited Java, Singapore, China and Japan. Japan was thoroughly up-to-date, and the influence of America was noticeable everywhere, he said. Yokohama, completely destroyed by the big earthquake of about 10 years ago, was now a flourishing modern city, with a population of $OO,OOO, and eight and 10story buildings of reinforced concrete. At night the city was bright with neon lights; electricity was cheap, costing only about id. a unit. While in Yokohama, Mr. Keller attended the races. Meetings were comparatively infrequent in Japan, being held only in the autumn and spring. Mr. Keller said. The horses —only those bred in the country are allowed to compete—were of a fair class. The totalisator was run on the win and place system, with a maximum dividend of 10 to one. Gambling was not encouraged.

(Week-end radio programmes on page 8 of second section.) Motoring in Japan was as cheap as anywhere in the world. Petrol was lOd. a gallon, and a car, which would cost £4OO in New Zealand, could be bought for about half the price. It was possible to engage a taxi to carry four passengers for 3/6 an hour. “Shocking” Butter. The hotels, run on the American system and largely supported by tourists, were palatial, with air-conditioned lounges, a bath to every room, and excellent service. “The butter supplied on the tables, however, was shocking,” said Mr. Keller. “It seemed to be a mixture of lard and margarine.” They had to evoke the aid of friends on British ships in port to secure edible butter. At the Imperial Hotel, Tokio, one could choose one’s trout while it was swimming in a huge glass tank in the room, watch it being caught in a net, and then cooked on an electric grill. The kitchen was not partitioned off from the tables where the customers sat, and one could see four immaculate Japanese chefs at. work. The bars were open every day of the week, and did not close till midnight, but there was no drunkenness. Theatre seats—and the best ones in the house at that—cost 7d. in Japan. Mr. Keller was astounded to find. He attended the Takaradzuka girls’ opera. Twenty-four scenes were presented on a large revolving stage, and there was a cast of 150. The performance lasted from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and tea or coffee was served at the intervals. Two performances were staged on Sundays. Among the older Japanese people there was a strong feeling against women cutting their hair and wearing European dress, but, nevertheless, these things were, to a large extent, being done.

In Japan, Mr. Keller saw large numbers of soldiers drilling. Service in the army or the navy was compulsory for all men between 20 and 23 years of age, he said. Strong racial feeling between Japan and China was everywhere evident. Japan appeared prosperous, and there were no beggars in the streets, but in China visitors were inundated with pleas for help. The Chinere Government was conducting a crusade against opium smoking, and while Mr. Keller was in Pekin, 3000 pipes and 50001 b. of opium were destroyed in a huge bonfire.