Evening star., 1923-12-17
EAST IS EAST
BY FRANK II. HEDGES

Il
Political, as we'll as business,
ethics In japan are not yet a fixed
quantity. They are in process OF
evolution, an evolution, toward
higher standard and one in con-
formity with right and justice. 1t Is
easy to look at the Japan of today,
the nations political, business and
social institutions. and consider them
static-regard them as fixed and un-
changeable. The observer who does
this Is certain to be woefuIly wrong
in his conclusions. for many actions
that were considered honest by Japa-
nese statesmen only a few years ago
same process may be seen in this
country, although to a lesser degree
and espec. ally In realms other than
political. Perhaps the steadily ex-
panding conception Of the mutua
obligations between employer and
employe and between them jointly on
the ono hand and the public on the
other offers the most striking ex-
ample of such a growth in the United
States The increased emphasis on
social welfare work is further evil
dence.
Charges of insincerity have often
been placed at the door of Japanes'
politicians. Sometimes such charges
have been true. and again they have
come, from the hasty generalization
that all Japanese politicians act from
the same motives. But no American
or other foreign critic has ever in
dicted political corruption ana In
sincerity in Japan as extensively
as forcefully as have many Japanes'
themselves. The most anti-Japanes
American cannot compare with GER
tain Japanese In their attitude OF
anti-present conditions in Japan
That is understandable and natural
The American cannot have as great
interest in lettering Japan as th'
Japanese, who himself seeks to cor
rect what he conceives to be hi
I do not intend here to give my
own opinions of the worst side o.
political ethics in Japan. but to per
NIT an influential japanese journa
to present it's Indictment. The Gen.
dat' or Contemporary Review, some
time ago attacked "Japans worst
proverb."
Lies are the treasures of Japar
(Uso wa Nihon no takara)' is Japan s
said the Gendai. 1T. is certainly a
strange one, and not many people
today really realize its significance
1t IS a pity It has not fallen int
Oblivion. but. 1t still survives In IN, the
memories Of few people" The
Gendai then says 1t originated during
the disturbed perioH of civil war
when "the word 'uso.' now trans
lated as "a lie.' was used in the mean
ing Of 'stratagem, a deceit use'
al hn
couragement Of theft by the youth
of Sparta. the use of 'uso' was en-
couraeed among the warrior class IN
pre- medieval Japan" This con-
tinued throughout the feudal period.
aays the journal. when the clans
were all suspicious of one another
and even in r'endly intercourse their
wor"s wore strictly formalized
Frankness was not encouraged in
interclan relations. and even priests
thrived on the telling Of 'uso.'
Unfortunately the word 'uso' was
used lightly and carelessly, without
much regard to the seriousness of the
intent to deceive. Even today this
carelessnesS about 'uso' is shown by
the light way the Japanese say 'Uso
desu yo'-thats lie. This expression
quently it is little more than an ex-
preston of disbelief. Z don't believe
you would often be better transla-
tion than that's lie.'
But the hold that 'uso' has on the
country is astonishing. Dead men are
promoted in rank and we are made to
believe by a pleasing fiction that they
have actually died after the promo
knows. This is a lie, but it is a usual
custom In Japan which has official
sanction. And this actually means
that lie is looked upon as good and
permissible. Officials use 'uso' to pro-
tect official secrets. Even things
are mysteriously denied by officials
v..,o conceal the truth, pretending,
d ~simulating and explaining. Often
officials deny until the last moment
having any knowledge of matters
which are later announced. Asked
heard nothing of this or told Of
something they know all about. they
reply: Is that so" Would 1t not be
better simply to say: / cannot speak
of this matter or L have nothing to
say, rather than use the silly 'uSo'?
But the whole situation is proof that
they see nothing wrong in 'uso.'
Recently the political scandals
have given many opportunities to off,
cials to show their skill in the use Of
'uso Men who have been summoned
to testify have denied the fact of
their guilt up to the very doors of the
procurator's office. And then the testi-
mony appears in the papers three
hours later to give them the lie. Such
people must certainly know that lies
are bad. but they GO on using them.
"It is just the same in China, where
the great heroes defraud others by
'uso.' Europe, too, has had its period
of great liars and lies. But the
new world of today realizes that all
lies are bad and that truth Is the
best policy
THE Japanese lie to make money
Such action is absolutely useless, and
lies in time Of peace are silly. Only
inferior people use lies for personal
advancement. 1t Is our shame that in
Japan the use Of 'uso' is quite ordi-
nary and the common thing. Is It any
wonder, then. that. foreigners feel the
Japanese people are dangerous? That
they doubt our ambitions, because the
Japanese conceal things about which
they should be frank and lie about
nothing at all?
Lies are the treasure Of Japan
is terrible proverb for any nation to
have. 1t is about time 1t was wiped
out Of the traditions of this country"