Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-12
JAPS WANT TOGS
OF STRIKING CUT
TASTE IN CLOTHES MEANS DIG
MARKET FOR MAKERS OF
WESTERN ATTIRE.
Americans Miss Right Share of Trade.
Says Bureau Report.

Rapid adoptions Of western dress in
Japan has made Nippon one OF the
most promising markets in the world
for European and American makers or
wearing apparel. especially ready
made clothing. but according to re-
port just issued By the bureau OF for
eign and domestic commerce. depart
ment of commerce, the American man.
factu,ers have not been getting their
share OF the business.
The report estimates that at least
nese is now wearing western clothing.
This means from 100000 to 6.00O..
eco persons, and the number is rapidly
increasing. 1t is evident, therefore,
that there is a large market for for
eign style clothes, wherever made
in Japan, England, Germany or Ameri-
ca 1t is also evident that this market
is rapidly increasing. At the time the
war started at least two countries
Germany and England-were manag-
ing to supply Japan with a large
amount of ready-towear clothing.
They were doing this at prices gener-
ally much in exeass of the Japanese
made products and selling them in the
keenest competition with the Japa-
nese articles, because OF the superior
quality of material OF the workman
snip, or both.
According to the author Of the re-
port, Special Agent Stanhope Sans.
the Japanese like to dress well and
in a. strict conformity as possible
with the best prevailing fashions,
whether in their native or in adopted
foreign costume. They are not eco
nomical in the sense that they will
wear old or inferior clothes. They
wish always to make neat or mat
ty' appearance. with good lines in
their coats and trousers, and they es.
pecally like the former well cut and
with a somewhat military look. In no
other country, says the report, will
the young men or the business men OF
standing spend more in proportion to
their income for the purpose OF max
ing smart appearance.
1t has been said that the better
class of American wearing apparel
cannot be sold in Japan because OF the
low priced labor available for Japa.
nese makers of clothing, but once hav-
ing adopted foreign dress the Japa-
nese, true to his instinct for neatness
and smartness, wishes to wear only
the correct style, even II it costs more
than the same clothing made by a ma
tive or Chinese tailor. This is shown
by the fact that in most of the better
class tailoring shops point is made
of having the cutting at least done by
an English or American tailor.
There is no more striking evidence
of the growth of foreign influence in
Japan than that furnished by the
shifting of the national costume.
Every day sees some change in this
respect Pictures of street scenes in
Toxic of Japanese street life from that
revealed by pictures taken today in
the same thoroeghfares. In the
crowded hours of the day the streets
of these cities present quite western
aspect. If one goes into the banking
houses or into the larger commercial
and mercantile establishments or into
any OF the government Offices, every
employee will be found clothed in west
ern garb. 1t has ceased to be a ques'
ton of national sentiment-as many
sought to make it some years ago
and has become necessity or a sort
of uniform of advancement, and as
such is being adopted more and more
widely.