The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-16
new STANDARD OF
LIVING IN JAPAN
Development of Commercial
and Industrial Interests Has
Upset Old Customs.
lhaAA1nkkekzaa-
From Harper,s Weekly.

Within the last 10 years a complete
revolution has been effected in Japa-
nese standards of living. The familiar
frugality which characterized the hab-
it's of a generation ago has been UNDER
going a process of relaxation, until
within the last decade nothing less
than a new scale has been imposed on
the masses. In fact, a good deal OF
the onomi depression Of which so
much is heard in the industrial circles
of the country is due to the increased
Xtravaganc of the classes most open
to the spoils Of advancing industrial
ism. Though the economic condition
of labor in Japan a by no means at
tanned that degree of emancipation it
enjoys in Europe and America. yet the
laborer in this country is today i'll a far
better position financially than the gov
official and the middle class
generally.
Under the impetus OF a rapid devel-
opment of commercial and industrial
interests the income of the artisan
class has practically doubled in the last
10 years; on the other hand. the in
come OF the middle class, including
servants of the government. officers OF
the army and a clerks and teach
ers. has not increased to II appre-
ciable extent Consequently the rise in
the scale Of living resulting from the
improved economic condition OF the
labor class involved an increased cost
OF living on the part OF the middle
class for which 1t was in no way pre-
pared; and this together with heavier
taxes and high tariffs a created a
distinct Measure Of discomfort among
the population as a whole.
The increased remuneration OF labor
has led to conditions more or less
anomalous in Japanese society gener-
ally. While the lot of the laborer Of a
n rorSo x,vo &c. ct{11 how'd oSnnoinI.
ly among nj who are the chief
operatives in factories, the masters of
and industry, as we'll as their
numerous managers and more intimate
assistants, reap a financial reward and
attain a position in h world quite out
of keeping with their social status. Yet
the official and professional man. on a
much more meager allowance. Is ex-
pected by the public to surpass them
in appearance. as he does in station.
The sons anidaughters of the artisan
now go to the high school and the uni
that casts the children OF the great
general or the famous statesmen quite
in the shade. e q g students
were quite content to live on six or
seven yen a month; today they must
spend 20, end withal require houses
provements in electricity. telephones.
baths, and other luxuries unknown
to their fathers. The sons Of
the middle class are hopelessly at odds
in this competitive extravaganza. At
the present time a Toxic artisan or
mechanic will get from 30 to 40 yen a
month. which a be spent as the fam
lily pleases, there being no social posi-
ton to maintain; While an official who
serves h government as a public pro-
rat will get 25 yen q month: II he
is what is called a petty official he gets
perhaps 40. If a teacher in the national
schools, he gets from is to 80. and in a
high school 40 to 60, but positions such
rs the latter are very scarce. The pres
ent disability arises out Of the fact that
even were the incomes of the artisan
and the middle class equal, there would
still remain the past d]isproportion in
their standards OF living.
dtions among the japanese 80 present.