JAPANESE BREACH OF PROMISE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 28 May 1915, Page 2

JAPANESE BREACH OF PROMISE.

VISTA OF REMARKABLE CHANGE.

An interesting little piece of news tomes from Japan. Miss Hede Noyawa has been awarded 10,000 dollar^ as ■ damages for breach of promise by -the highest Court in Japan. This news opens up a vista of remarkable change. Those who have read books on Japanese life will recall, that women were regarded as mere chattels in the East, andso far it is-only in Japan that they are beginning to be recognised as human beings equally with men. Under the existing law a marriage is not valid unless registered, and registration is not •compulsory; or even usual. Miss Noyawa had consented to share Vanaka'shouse on condition that their marriage should be registered. Vanaka put,tfie matter off for months and then left the house after quarrelling with the c,irl. Instead of simply giving way in the usual weak Oriental style, Miss Noyawa brought an action against the man. One Court turned down her case, andi she took it to-another, but again shelost. However, she would not be discouraged, but took it to the highest: tribunal in the^ land. Witnesses whohad arranged the union appeared for her, and the result was damages, wh". fain Japan amounts to a small fortune. {