ORIENTAL BEACON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22192, 20 August 1935, Page 11

ORIENTAL BEACON

JAPANESE ASPIRATIONS "GUIDE OF NEW ASIA" ACTIVITIES AND IDEALS [BY TELEGRAPH —I'RESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON. Monday That as a potential guide of the new Asia, and as the self-appointed beacon to which she considered all Orientals should turn for material and moral guidance, Japan would continue to draw the attention of the world in general, and the Pacific nations in particular, is the view of Professor P. A. V. Riusso, who arrived at Wellington by the Marama to-day with the goodwill mission headed by Mr. Katsuji Debuchi. Professor Russo, who was born at Ballarat, is 27 years of age. He occupies the chair of foreign languages in the Tokio Imperial University of Commerce. Two foreign lecturers in Japan were recently selected by the Japanese Society for International Cultural Eelations to visit selected countries. Professor Russo, who was one of those selected, has lectured under the society's auspices at the University of Melbourne, his Alma Mater. He joined the goodwill mission at the invitation of the Ambassador. "I personally think there should be less interference by western nations in Asia," Professor Russo said to-day. "Certainly Japan can be regarded as an ambitious country. She regards her activity in China as a natural legitimate expansion, but I have never had the slightest indication that she covets or New Zealand territory. Japan and China understand each other and what passes for Eastern psychology very well. Geneva understands Eastern psychology not at all."