The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-08
The Labor Question In Japan.

We have been interested in an essay upon
the labor question in Japan, prepared for a
monthly periodical by japanese here resi-
dent, Mr.. +. TEKANo, who is familiar with
the subject, and who treats it in reason
able way Mr.. TEKANo tells us that the
amicabe relations between the master and
his hands which existed in Japan before II
was opened to Western civilization forty
years ago, have been greatly changed In
nearly all the trades; and he argues that
this change has been brought about through
the introduction Of machinery, the use OF
which. however, he regards as both neces-
sary and desirable for Japan, and as the
prime condition Of progress. though
It may he temporarily disadvantageous
to the manual laborers. In Japan,
these laborers have in recent times, lost
large measure Of their former Importance,
and have become mainly the tenders Of
machines, the productive capacity Of which
il vastly greater than that Of the hand
workers who had carried on all Japanese in
dustries from time immemorial. 1t was es-
sential to develop the machine service Of
Japan, to enable that aspiring country to
win a place among the great industrial
countries of the modern world. 1t has had
an immense development there within
quarter of a century, during which time II
has been ever more and more utilized in
the manufacture Of goods, both for
domestic consumption and for the for
eign markets. 1t Is evident from Mr..
TRRANo's remarks upon this subject that
he clearly perceives that Japan was
compelled to favor the new power to adopt
the mechanical inventions Of the age, II she
meant to make any attempt TO Withstand
the rivalry of foreigners with her own peo-
pie upon her own soil. The novelties In
mechanism are more quickly comprehended
and more used there than they are in any
other Asiatic country, or even in some Of the
countries OF eastern Europe. Among all
the Oriental races the Japanese only has ac-
copied the peremptory terms Of Occidental
civilization.
The changes brought about so rapidly In
the Japanese industries by machinery have
had a transforming influence upon the
social system There has been an enlarge
ment of the number Of unemployed; the
length OF the work day has been extended;
there are women and children In competition
with men In the factories; there have been
several incidents Of the nature Of strikes;
there are murmurings of discomfort unlike
any OF other times, and there IL a growing
unfriendllness between employers and
employees. In speaking of these things,
and more especially of the economic condi-
ton OF the Japanese workers under the
new order OF industry, Mr.. TEKANo
indulges In laments, but utters not word
~ a..
to the new was unavoidable, and the Japan
ese people will yet surely understand the
advantage of 1t. One curious circumstance
of the change is that the artisan class has
lost its old rank. "A quarter of century
ago." says Mr.. TEKASo, 1.-THE ranks were
arranged thus; /, soldiers; 2, farmers;
3, mechanics; 4, merchants; but latterly
the arrangement has been altered thus:
1, soldiers; 2, farmers; B. merchants; 4,
mechanics"
Mr.. TEKASO does not believe that the
japanese wage Garner himself possesses the
ability or the knowledge needed to bring
about any ameliOration Of his suffering
under machinery. His argument upon this
point IL cOgent, and We do not doubt that II
Is fully In accord with the facts In the case.
After speaking Of ii, he makes remarkable
suggestion. ITO whom, then, can We look !"
he asks, and his reply to this question is
To none other than the thinkers Of the
country. The cooperation OF the thinkers is
an imperative necessity of the situation.
They only can originate a labor movement
for Japan. With their intelligence and ex-
perience they are admirably fitted for the
work" THE thinkers, he repeats, "must
take the first step" Again and again he
says that his hopes lie with the thinkers of
his country.
Mr. TEKASO seems to be Japanese of
sound sense and judgment But Is It likely
that the Japanese workers will take the adj
vice Of the thinkers