JAPAN’S BID FOR TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19785, 8 March 1927, Page 11

JAPAN’S BID FOR TRADE

“HIGH AMBITIONS.” “Japan has made very notable industrial progress during the past fifty years,” states a report issued by the Department of Overseas Trade. It is an account by the British Consul at Osaka of the cotton spinning and weaving industry in Japan. This is prefaced by a brief examination of Japan’s general industrial position, from which the above remark is taken, and which proceeds:— “Cottage industries have been transformed and developed into modern factory organisations, and various industries not native to the country have been introduced from Europe and Ajnerica to meet the needs of a new age. New discoveries and methods have imported from abroad, occasionally even evolved in the country, and put into effect to an exceptional extent. That this progress owes much to the stimulus of the world war cannot bo gainsaid, but without a certain energy and determined to succeed such attainment would have been impossible.” Of Japan’s industries at the present time the textile trade is repored to be far the most important, the chief branches being silk and cotton. “The Japanese,” it is remarked, “arc doing all in their power to extend their market in other countries. During the past few months several semi-official missions have been despatched to various parts -of the world, and there can be little doubt that the next few years will see redoubled efforts in this direction. The Japanese are a highly ambitious people and, having rendered themselves practically independent of foreign countries as regards their requirements of cotton goods, intend to have as large a share as possible of the trade in this direction in other parts of the world. Increased competition from Japan in cotton goods of all kinds, especially finished cloth, must therefore be anticipated. ’ ’