The Minneapolis journal., 1906-02-11
mined by these lanterns as I never saw
an American city lighted.
Learn Business Methods Here.

LS6Iu 6uSlueSS NCtIOQS a6I6.
When Japan was opened to the COM
merce of the world, there were few
business houses or trading establish
ments of any size. Now there are sew :,
eral department stores and large whole
sale houses, besides manufactures and
trading companies of Importance. One
business man in Toxic, Mr.. K. OkLra,
has private collection of curios valued
at $1,OO0,0o0, which he offered to sell
in Europe or America, the proceeds to be
given to the government for carrying
on the war against Russia. Osaka has
a successful business man who has
earned the name of the Japanese
Carnegie by giving fine library to
that city.
AS an evidence that the japanese
merchants are patterning after their
American brethren, / might mention
that number Of the stores displayed
| notices offering special discounts to
ssour gallent allies, the blue Jackets"
that a brewing company began a large
newspaper advertisement with "Wel-
come to the British Squadron; and
that another merchant, after extending
congratulations on the Anglo-Japan-
ese alliance" invited the visitors to
try his "plum puddings and candies,
and enjoy the sweetness of the alli-
i ance.'
Japan's Growing Commerce.
Consul General Miller, at Yokohama,
and Consul Sharpe, at Kobe, furnished
me with interesting statistics regarding
the commerce of Japan. Exports have
increased from about $S0,000000 in
1891 to about $320,000,000 in 1904;
during which period imports increased
from a little more than 500 900 to
little more than $37l 100000. While
our country sells less to japan than
Great Britain and British India, she
buys more than any other nation from
, Japan. Our chief exports to Japan last
wear were electric motors, locomotive
engines, stean boilers and engines, iron
pipes, nails, lead, oil, paraffne wax,
= cotton drills, cotton duck, raw cotton,
tobacco. coal, cars, turning lathes, con-
E densed milk, flour and wheat. OF these
items flour, raw cotton and oil were by
far the most valuable, each amounting
, to more than $4,500,000.
, In the ocean carrying trade, Japan
is making rapid strides. In ten years
her registered stearere ave increased
= from 461 to 1924 and her sailing yes
5 sells from 1876 to 1898. There are now
r 200 private ship yards in japan, and in
3 1903 they built 279 vessels. The Japan
!, Mail Steamship company has a paidup
!, capital of $1l 100000, runs steamers
e between Japan, America, Europe and
r Asia and pays ten per cent dividend
n on its capital. The Osaka Mercantile
teamship company OSAKA shosen Rai-
= sha) has a paidup capital of nearly
= !, $500, 900, owns about 100 vessels and
!; paws a dividend of ten per cent. These
are the largest Companies but there are
= many smaller ones; some paying dlvi
- - dends of 16 and 90 per cent.
i Every Ship an Island
a will close this article with the
<, suggestion that the mercantile marine
is seems likely to show large growth II
d the future, offering as 1t does, a leglt
IS innate field for national expansion.
Is Japan's fishing industries furnish
d, training for seamen and her peoPi'
IS seem at home upon the water. sh
needs more territory for her expanding
IF population and has about reached TN
err limit in the cultivation of her t1lllbl
O. land. Every additional ship manne'
s. bv her citizens is like new island, rls
,e ing from the waves, upon which her IN
r creasing population can be supported
g, If she seeks to acquire land in any d1
Sc Sc rection, she finds her efforts conteste'
es bv the inhabitants already there; n
~ wonder she halls with delight thes
s. floating farms constructed by the ger!
al ius of her own people-new land as
al were, won and held without the sacr5