HELD AS SPIES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12610, 20 July 1935, Page 9

HELD AS SPIES

TOURISTS IN JAPAN

THE OFFICIOUS POLICEMAN

Two unfortunate incidents which occurred in Tokio during May of this year call for attention not only m tlieir own right, but lor their effects abroad. No less do they call for some explanation. During the height of the tourist season two visitors, one a woman from Sydney and the other a Californian, were detained by the police on the suspicion that tlibj were spies. Both incidents have lecoived the attention of the Foreign Office, and have been disc’ussed at the recent Conference of Prelect lira l Governors in Tokio. Thus intending visitors to Japan may be reassured that such treatment is less likely in tho future.

In their own interests tourists should be particularly careful to in form themselves of the position of the fortified areas where photography and sketching are forbidden. It is probable that in future Japanese consulates, shipping companies, and travel agencies will give clearer warn ing on this subject, and that more signs, stating clearly in English that photography is forbidden, will be posted around and in tlie prohibited zones. What is calculated to upset tourists much more than regulations —for every country has the right to make such laws and to see that they aro enforced —is the method of their enforcement. Owing partly to ignorance of foreign customs and partly to inbred suspicion, the policeman ri far more likely to wait until tho tourist lias trespassed or has taken tho photographs and then to arrest him, than to warn the tourist when he is approaching a prohibited zone This is what the Californian com plained about. While passing through the Inland Sea he had taken photographs of deck tennis, of the captain on the bridge, of some sailing vessels, of a lighthouse. Shortly afterwards a. plain-clothes officer aboard the .ship placed him under arrest. On being informed that he had been taking photographs in a. fortified zone, ho expressed surprise that the ship’s officers had not warned him, and said lie was willing to leave the camera and films, even to pay a fine, if they would let him proceed with his tour of Japan. He was told thatit would be quickly adjusted, but on landing he was detained for II days, during which he underwent frequent cross-examination.

SUSPICIOUS MINOR. OFFICIALS

BLAMED

As this tourist was for three years police commissioner in Los Angeles, and was known for his sympathies with the Japanese in California, the police officer could hardly have , made a more unfortunate choice. The American was so incensed that he abandoned his projected stay of two months, and left with a most unfavorable impression .of this country. That such experiences- depend chiefly upon some local busybody is attested by the experience of tlie woman from Sydney, who had been travelling ill Japan for nearly a year, before she was detained and questioned in a police station in Kyushu. 'lbis is the more unfortunate, as it discourages tourists Irom visiting any but well-known places. The root trouble is the suspicion of the minor official eager to serve his country. To many Japanese the more harmless a traveller appears the more cleverly lie is disguising liis real motives. In dealing with his own people, not only with foreigners, the Japanese is always looking for the ulterior motive. It is ono of the gull's between East and West. Where we praise a man for spaking his mind, the Japanese think him a 100 l for putting his cards on tho table.

As with almost, every manifestation of Japanese life, knowledge of the historical background throws a flood of' light on the present problem. Among the reasons for the closing of Japan in .1036 were distrust of foreigners and the troubles arising out of Christian propaganda'. During the period of isolation, unti--1853, the authorities encouraged everyone to tell talcs about everyone else—even about members of their own families'. The country was honeycombed by one of the most perfect spy systems ever evolved; To these circumstance's must be added the exceptional authority pi the policeman. It is . a', general truth, as the Australian woman was told, that “you must 'not question• police authority.” Residents are divided in their opinion of the police force. Some, in a in. tain, that the police-'supply' a muchneeded stiffening—a moral backbone j others deplore their hectoring. In small localities, such iis villages, where the constables are well known, relations between the police and th other' Japanese seem to be amicable enough. In the cities, however, the Japanese themselves do not cross the patli of the police' if they can help it. One reason is that the personnel consists of raw country lads who are greatly underpaid, and who make up for this deficiency by impressing the public with a sense of tlieir importance. Unfortunately suspicion by the Japanese breeds 'suspicion in the visitor, who naturally asks what all the fuss is about.) So. far, only the high-

er officials realise that the host waj to disarm suspicion is to allow visitors full freedom of travel and observation, to help them in making firsthand study' and observation ol the country. Sucli incidents as have been mentioned are the despair of those departments which spend large amounts of -money to attract visitors' to this land, which, in spite of drawbacks, both' demands and repays a close study of : its political, cultural, and economio spheres." In the meantime, as long . as foreign vi sitors ar e to be regarded as potential enemies rather than as friends, it may be hoped that they will he tactful, and (hat police and officials who are deputed to keep an eye on them will receive special training.