The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-22
FHE FINANCIAL AND BCON0lfIC
CONDITION OF JAPAN.
W.-ARrfcuIeuPe.

W.-Agrfcuiture.
The visitor 70 Japan Ii more than likely
to acquire an impression hat one-hAlf OF
Jspan's male population earns Q living by
pulling jinrikishas while tho other half
supports itself by catching hsh, but the
impression Is false. More than 90 per
cent. Of the population is agricultural.
| Notwithstanding the fact that Japan's
farms have q very gardenlike appearance.
the agricultural system OF the country 10
crude and inefficient. In a recently issued
official publication the statement u made
that sin the application Of scientific prtnci-
pies TO agriculture and In tho proportion
OF land under cultivation Japan 10 far be-
hind the progressive nations of Europe"
This condition the Government In striving
to improve by the establishment OF expert
ment stations and through the operation
Of an agricultural bank. which loans money
to farmers in need of cash for their indus
tries. The leading agricultural products
Of the islands are rice. tea and cocoons
although the latter item enters the agri-
cultural group by courtesy and convenience
rather than by nature. A little more than
1000. 900 acres OF rice were under cultivation
last year. with a yield of about 225. 900 900
bushels. In 1905 tea was grown on nearly
1875. 900 acres. with a csop Of about 5000. COO
pounds. In 1905 some $780, 900 bushels
Of cocoons were gathered for the silk in
dustry. In 1903 barley, wheat and rye were
grown on $500, 900 acres. yielding 100. 900 900
bushels. In addition TO these there were
important crops Of millet. beans, buck
wheat. rape seed, hemp. potatoes and leaf
indigo. Some sugar and some cotton we're
also produced and about 81, 900, 900 pounds
OF tobacco.
Japan's total area. exclusive OF Formosa
and Saghalien. includes about $4,000 900
acres. From the official tables IL appears
hat only about one-sixth OF this area was
under cultivation last year. II also ap-
pears tina while there has been an increase
in population. estimated at IA per cent.
and probably a still greater increase in
demand for foodstuffs. owing to higher
wages and greater Industrial activity.
there has been during the last Ten years
an increase Of only 2 per cont. In the total
OF land under cultivation. There has been
some increase in production per acre. but
the 1895 ratio Of total agricultural produc-
ton TO total population has not bee MAN.
tanned. Imports of foodstuifs. including
rice. wheat -four. beans, sugar. &C. have
increased from $40. 200. 900 in 1890 20 more
than $50 900. 900 in 1900. Imports OF rice
have grown from o.. O0o. 900 in 1890 to sis.-
900 900 in 1905. h rice imports for the
years 1908, 1904 and 1905 were, respectively.
$40. 900 900. $50. 900 900 and S24.0 900, 900. The
increase Of those years Ia Of course attrib-
utable TO the war. II Is evident. however, that
Japan is losing ground in the matter Of her
ability TO feed her own people. The point
Ia one of great Importance.
A question naturally arises regarding
the uncultivated hve-sixths of her area
and the almost insignificant increase OF
area actually under cultivation. . As stated
above, Japan's total area 10 about %, 000, 900
acres. or this about 5000 900 acres is set
down as forest. Other acres are repre-
sented by mountains. ponds, marshes.
arid lands and other districts not suscepti-
BILE Of cultivation. From the limited ex-
tension Of cultivated acreage and tho in
crease in population, combined with the
increased need Of larger supply Of the prod
ucts Of the soil. the inference is that Japan
already has nearly all her available arabic
land in use. For any important expansion
OF her farm lands she must trench on her
forests. a doubtful IL not a dangerous meas
ure because OF its influence on rainfall.
Japan thus stands for the present. and
perhaps must stand for the future, in a
somewhat remarkable position in the mat
ter OF her supply Of foodstufs. Her present
imports in that line. although showing
increase, amount only to the small matter
of about rs cents per capita for the year.
Dropping that from consideration. il seems
that only 5000, 900 acres are in use for the
feeding Of nearly SO.OOO.OO o people. The
Waited Gfatas 8iSA l.aa than tyiOa IL naph n
population. plants 90. 1000. 900 acres In corn
alone. nearly 5000 900 acres in wheat. So
600 900 acres in oats. 30, 100. 900 acres in cot
ton. besides the millions after millions Of
acres used for other crops. Japan's prob
lem OF supplying food for her people would
still be serious II she could double her pres
| ent area Of production. 1t would not be en-
, tirely solved IL on doubled acreage she
were to double the output per acre.
Japan's farm land under cultivation is
equal to about one-half OF the State Of
Pennsylvania. On that basis a farm the
size of the State OF New York. similarly
cultivated, would furnish the entire popu-
alton Of the United States with a more
abundant living than that now secured
by the Japanese. Upon such a basis .
farm the size Of Texas would support more
thar 500. 900 900 people. II is fortunate for
Japan that only a small area 10 required
for ~pasturase. OF the reported acreage
used for productive purposes only about
100. 900 acres appear a. devoted to that use.
There are in the entire country only about
1000. 900 cattle. Loo. 900 horses. 5000 sheep,
y 1000 goats and 22s. 900 wine
The wages Of Japanese farm laborers are
10 cents a day for men and 10 cents a day
for women. II employed steadily under
yearly contract the rate il SIS. IT q year for
men and si0.07 q year for women.