The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-09-17
JAPANESE NEWSPAPERS.

4 japanese correspondent writes TO
the London Daily Chronicle: The Japa-
nese papers are sold from "A halfpenny
to a farthing. The circulation ranges
from 10000 to 10000 Every paper Is
ful of novellettes. The papers are not
carried into the city. but are read at
home. Extra specials are issued for
war and extraordinary news. They
contain a few paragraphs, but the cost
is the same. A crowd Of men wait out
side newspaper offices to carry these
slips which they distribute, crying EX-
ira Specials-Great Victory at Port Ar
thur" etc. When there is nothing
happening, some second-class papers
manufacture news, and issue extra spe-
cials. They serve as an advertisement
Advertising is yet in its infancy. ano
Jill" is the only paper where one ear
find advertisements for theatres. Al
offer of marriage is advertised. ana IN
New Years time lots OF advertisements
appear as follows. In consequence Of
going out Of town. he regrets to
inform his friends that he cannot wish
them a Happy New Year (meauiug. Of
course that he cannot call to drink
sake and perform the ceremony of IN
new yearD Death is often advertise
but marriages and births never. IN
case of a fire thanks are often adNer-
tised thus: Il thank all visitors Wnc
called on me when fire took place near
my house last night In time or
peace great freedom is allowed, but cen
surfing is very strict during the war No
news Is allowed to be published which
has anything to do with the move
ments of the army. When this hap
pens 100000 are used. For instance:
"The 100000 regiment left 00y0OO and Will
soon proceed to 100000. General OOOOOL
and staff will 100000 100000 100000, etc,
etc" So much so that war cores
pendent of a prominent paper had
nothing but zeros i'm relating the battle
of Port Arthur. OF course. all the Jap
anese papers are under the same res
trictions as the foreign correspondents.
literally translated) is one of the Oldest
papers in Japan, and is owned by Ba-
ron Ito, lately a Cabinet Minister, hold
ing the portfolio of Agriculture arA
Commerce and the coming Prime Min
lister. The baron is supported by Mar
quis Ito, and Marquis Ito supports the
paper. Baron Ito owes his eXtraor-
binary rise in the political world to
MARQUIS Ito. The baron is a brilliant
writer and a man of wonderful r.
sources. At present it is Government
paper because Marquis Ito supports
the Government. The third page Is
always full of NOVELTIES by the best
authors. The circulation is about co.
OOOO and the paper Is sold at two sen
a fraction under halfpenny. Miro
ku" is a paper owned by Akiyama, late
ly member of Parliament for Eanda
District. in Tokyo where his office il
situated. He resigned the house for
writing violent article in his paper
condemning the government for coer-
cling poor people to subscribe to the war
fund, whereas the rich people got out
Of it comparatively easy. His paper
was suppressed, but it is being used
still pending the decision Of the Higher
Court of Appeal "Niroku" is a mush-
room paper. 1t grew in a short time to
enjoy the largest circulation of any
paper in Japan, chiefly through its VIC
lent attacks on rich people. "Asahi" is
the New York Herald of Japan, and
"Jijr is the Times. They belong to no
political parties. "Hochi' is the or
gan of Count Okuma. The news is not
always reliable, but what matters so
long as readers are interested?