New-York tribune., 1902-02-08
COMMERCIAL JAPAN.
REMARKABLE GROWTH OF TRADE
WITH THE UNITED STATES.

Washington, Feb Z (SpecaD.-"Commercial Japan
IN lTV is the title OF a monograph just issued by
the Treasury Bureau Of Statistics It is based upon
the latest commercial report Of the japanese Gov
ernment, just received by the Treasury Bureau of
statistics, and shows the commerce of Japan with
the world, and especially with the United States
and the commerce Of the United States with Japan
and its remarkable growth It shows that the for
elgn commerce of Japan which in 1878 amounted to
less than 100000 yen was in 1890 about 800 900 900
yen The progressive spirit of the japanese is also
SHOWN by the fact that her own people are rapidly
increasing their proportion in the trade of Japan
with foreign countries In 1890 only about u per
cent of the foreign trade of Japan was conducted
by Japanese in 1900 81 per cent OF the foreign
merce Of Japan was conducted by her own citizens.
The trade of Japan with the United States has
grown with even greater proportionate rapdity
than her total trade than that with any other
nation In 1881 her imports from the United States
formed less than per cent of the total importa-
tons into Japan, while In 1900 they formed % per
cent OF the total importations. Meantime Great
Britains share in the imports Of Japan fell from 80
per cent in 1881 TO Is per cent in 1900.
The United States is Japan's largest customer. by
reason of the fact that the chief export products
of Japan are articles required by the manufacturers
or the United States. and which cannot be pro-
duced in this country. The total exports from
Japan in 1900 amounted to 1875 100000 yen and Of this
amount 62,566.000 yen went to the United States.
OF this latter 2671O.OOO yen consisted of
SILK, oS'ZWO yen manufactures of silk 6,930OO yen
tea, 100000 yen mats for floors, and 900 yen
rice. The growth in exports from Japan to the
United States has been chiefly in raw silk, having
more than doubled since 1898
Japan's imports from the United States have
grown with even greater rapidity than her exports
to the United States In 1881 they amounted TO only
l,7S0S yen and in 1900 had reached g. 96 yen in
value They have grown with much greater rapid
ty than the total importations of Japan, share
OF her import trade having increased from 572 per
cent IN 1881 to 19S per 1900 while the United
Kingdom, our principal competitor in that market
which furnished in 1881 5257 per cent of the total
imports OF Japan, supplied in 1900 2503 per cent
detailed examination OF the supplies furnished by
the United States TO Japan perhaps be better
made from our own point of view. measured in dol
lars. In the fiscal year 1892 total exports OF
domestic merchandise TO Japan amounted to $685.
2&, ard in 1901 to Nse56Ss9 OF this total the larg
est item OF export was Illuminating OIL which ag-
gregated S47S4,S50 the next largest item being man
ufactures of iron and steel, with total of $649 PSI
Third in rank IS cotton. with total of $685.
S7, other important items being breadstuffs a107,
2S5; provisions. $39s,6Sl; scientific instruments.
s3760Ss; leather and manufactures S25.551 tobacco
and manufactures. S23S.ss clocks and watches.
s2S7Sd paper and manufactures $2O65Ss; lubricatng
articles Of less importance @ have found place in
the markets of Japan. Taking up the great class OF
iron and steel and examining its details, II Is found
that the exports OF locomotive engines IN lSu
si2ieg7; sewing machines $8og7S fTearms S425i2;
car wheels S07l3; other machinery, N'4Sl5so, and
miscellaneous manufactures of iron and steel
Our exports OF Illuminating OIL 10 Japan, Wnlcn IN
1890 amounted to S559,395 in value showed in 1901
total of &78435O despite the active competition or
Russian and Sumatran petroleum. and the further
fact that Japan is now herself supplying part
of her consumption of that product. Our exports
Of raw cotton to Japan have grown from SS5 III in
1890 81 63T in 1901. Our exports or flour TO Japan
increased from Sl2 40 IN 1890 to OBS. .s93 In 1901
This increase is evidently due TO growing dispo-
sition among the japanese to consume more OF this
class Of food rather than TO rely upon rice as in Tor
mer years since the number of foreigners IN Japan
other than Chinese and CoreanS amounts TO less
than four thousand. and has not materially in
creased during the period IN which our exports OF
-four TO that country have increased sevenfold
Our exports OF paper and manufactures 70 Japan
1856 sio126. and in 1901 s2O65S6. Scientific nstru
ments increased from 50 Al in 1890 S376.06S in
1901. Canned beef exports increased from 81 2l2 IN
1890 10 S4646 in 1901 while exports OF Pckied beef
The following table shows the value OF the more |
important articles imported into Japan in 1892 and
1900: