LUXURY TAX IN JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 77, 27 September 1924, Page 16

LUXURY TAX IN JAPAN

A MEANS TO AID NATIONAL ECONOMY.

Japan, -whose introduction to Western customs and -habits was made less than seventy-five years ago, has reached in that time the point where a luxury tax is considered wise, declares the "New York Times.'.' There has been such a tax on certain imports for years, but the Government now has determined to levy a duty amounting to 100 per cent, ad valorem ou about 250 articles classed as luxuries. Two reasons are given for the move: economy and he desire to curb the national taste for foreign articles.

Of all the-Eastern peoples the Japanese are, perhaps, the least frugal. They are a pleasure-loving-.i-ace. and for the last few generations:;.".their national wealth has increased. Naturally enough, they began fo buy many articles which are considered luxuries, and acquaintance with. Western civilisation has made the people want things that their grandfathers never tlrenmt of. This has its disadvantages, as well as its pleasant side. Like England, Japan is a nation of traders. Importing and exporting, buying, selling, shipping—-these are the bases of their econuomic life, and, when imports overbalance exports, when purchasing exceeds ■ selling^ it is necessary to find a way of restoring the balance. Since the crippling effect of the earthquake last year the Japanese Diet has instituted a programme of economy, which is now to preclude the buying of pleasure cars, of foreign wines, jewels, canned American foods, chocolate candy, camera films, and various other things dear to the hart of wealthy Japanese families. It is somewhat difficult for the Western mind to fancy a little Japanese girl with a passion for chocolate bars; or to picture the lovely ladies one sees on the embroidered tapestries, wielding a can opener over soup or beans. Not because these tilings arc distinctly Occidental, but because one had always gained the impression that Japanese children revelled in fresh fruits, which arc so much better than candy; and that native vegetables v,-oro better and morewholesome than canned vegetables. Also, that sake, which contains about 16 per cent, alcohol, was preferred to the liquors of other nations; and that foreign clothes could not campare with the native dress for beauty of fabric or colour. But the luxury tax. proves that? the Japanese are not content,with native products alone.

a few articles might be deemed luxuries are exempt from the high tax adopted on. 17th July by the Diot. Moving picture films, for example, even though there has recently been agitation against American films. the exempt list are baseball, ten-' nis, and football outfits and accessories. Tho Japanese are keen to encourage athletics, as, indeed, they are quick to adopt anything the merit of which is plain to them. Consider milk. Forty years ago they used no milk; after a baby was weaned the "chief of his diet" was changed to other food. But after studying tho matter and recognising its value, the Japanese forthwith incorporated that'form of nourishment into their diet. And so the new tax does not apply to things that would strengthen and develop the body. .Opponents of the new law in Japan say it will result in a general increase in- the cost of living, that the standard will be lowered, and that-the measure will react upon- the export trade unfav-. ourably. On the other hand, those in favour of/the law feel that it is a wise measure and will assist the economy policy of the Government.