Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-10-31
JAP ANESE SUGAR
EXPERT IS HERE
TO See INDUSTRY
Looks Over Plantations and
Mills and Compares Condi-
tons With Japan'S

Facts and figures about sugar in
japan. along with some interesting
and vital observations on the indus
try here and the conditions of Japa-
nese labor in connection with IL, have
been given to the Star-Bulletin by Ia
RHO Shimamura of Toxic, Japan. who,
as auditor for the Togo Sugar Manu-
featuring Company, is spending sew.
eral weeks in Hawaii making a thor
ough inspection of everything rela-
tive to sugar production and manufac-
turc.
When interviewed at the Young Ho-
tel, Shimamura said he has just fin
ished a tour of inspection of sugar
mills and plantations on the Big Is
land in company with two expert me-
chanical engineers, S. Oda and T. va
maoka, who accompany him from Ja-
pan. The engineers interests are
largely in mill machinery and opera
ton, while the auditor looks also into
production problems and labor condi-
tons. About a month will be spent
on Oahu.
Japanese Satisfied Here
Japanese laborers are better paid in
Hawaii than in Japan and are so well
satisfied with conditions here and else
where in America, and have gone
away from home in such numbers as
to cause a shortage of labor in ia
pan, which might not be felt were 1t
not for the numerous new industries
springing up there, according to Shi'
manure. Plantation and mill labor
ers here seem especially content, he
says.
Five years ago the Japanese sugar
man was i'm Honolulu on his way TO
the mainland to make a similar in
spection OF the sugar industry in Lou
isiana, and he is thus particularly
well informed and able to discuss the
business here,
Good Control of Machinery.
Il believe the mills of Hawaii are
the most up-to-date have ever seen,
and the control and operation of their
machinery is perfect" he says, but
Of course, we have good mills in ia
pan. He added with laugh, Natur.
ally, when considerable Of our ma.
chinery comes from the Honolulu Iron
Works"
Shimamura's party has been cordial
" received by the various plantation
and mill superintendent here, he
says, and shown every courtesy and
consideration. The party is especially
warm in its thanks to the Honolulu
Iron Works officials, who have not on
ly shown the visitors every nook and
corner in their own big plant, but have
also provided guides and interpreters
to accompany them about the planta'
tions and mills.
Third Largest In japan
The sugar company which Shima'
mura represents has five mills on the
island of Formosa and is the third
largest in Japan Although its bust
ness is chiefly manufacturing sugar
grown on contract by individual pro
ducers the company owns 1900 acres
of land. Its capacity is 1000 tons a
| day and gross output of $4,000 tons
last year win probably be. increased to
| 1000 tons this year on account of the
exceptional richness of the crop. The
laborers in Japan, who also work un
der the bonus system. will profit In
proportion to the crops richness.
SUGAR 6eets IN Manchuria
| Shimamura tells of a company which
is now being organized in Japan to
foster a $5,000,000 investment to grow
sugar beets in Manchuria. Seeds viii
be obtained from Russia and also from
America for this new industry. AL
though he is not financially interest
ed in the project he believes it will be
! successful.
Speaking of war and war conditions
Shimamura said that although Japan
had declared for the Allies she
was not very much excited about the
great conflict, and was profting enor
kmously by the manufacture and sale
of munitions, mostly to Russia.
q think the Japanese look at the
war much as the Americans do" he
says, land many of them wish they
were neutral 1t is so far from japan