Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1933-04-13
Finds Many Changes
In Past Az Years

nara 10 realize that ~ was the SAINT
country he left as young man. II
the large cities particularly Yoko-
hama and Tokyo, the muddy, narrow
streets had been replaced with wide
paved ones, Fords and Chevrolets had
taken the place Of the ricksha, modern
department stores had taken the place
OF unimportant little shops straw
roofs had been replaced by modern
materials. Only the older generation
still dress In the costume of fifty years
ago, the younger generation having
adopted occidental styles OF clothing
with the Japanese girls just as adept
as the American In the use Of cos
metics. 1t was new Japan In which
he found himself.
In Japan, woman has invaded the
business realm, II not to as great an
extent just as efficiently as In Amer
lea. In Kobe woman manages a
large shipping business which sends
freighters to all parts of the world.
She has taken over and is successfully
running O business established by her
husband.
Except that the tallest buildings are
not more than eight stories high
Tokyo and Yokohama are as western
in appearance as any of our American
cities. It Is an easy matter for those
speaking only English to get about as
clerks in the stores understand Eng
lish, and taxi drivers are well enough
acquainted with the language to un-
derstand what is wanted of them.
Elementary English Is one of the
regular subjects in 18th and 9th grades
and an elective in the high schools.
One government owned radio station
in Tokyo three times weekly, broad
casts program, two hours in length.
the purpose Of which is to teach ele-
mentary English and familiarize the
Japanese with manners and customs,
When asked concerning economic
conditions found in various parts Of
Japan Mr.. Nishiyori stated that there,
as here, times are dull. Living Is high
in proportion to the scale Of wages.
There is no national problem Of re-
lief work as the members of families
who have means take care of the less
fortunate ones. The government has,
however, discontinued the use of all
ROAD making ilacnihery' using man
power curing 'lie wlneer nonths IN tle
country regions Ihese iaporers are
paio one ana one ana a nan yen per
oay' FacIory WORKERS III tiie Clues re-
ceNe ~ ana 10 cents per nour. Inc
eigao nour aay IS trie RUE IN ooen
classes Oh iaDor, AS mucn work as
possiDie Is furnished ny the govern
menu pue eliere rs no oireco crariey.
MI. Nlsaiyorl stated tha1 tnere was
no sign VI war actlVities' ana very
HUE eaik VI wal Japan CONSUMERS cllaS
tne acviVieies III Mahciiuria are no
more viiati mere pro'ecciofi Oh rer own
property.
Among other improvements the
American tractor has been introduced
and is being used to some extent in
the agricultural sections of Japan. In
the hilly sections however, horses and
oxen are used for farming. The Amer-
lean automobile is almost as common
as In the newer rural sections OF our
own country.
Leaving here on December nth, Mr.,
Nishiyori spent both Christmas and
New Years on the ocean. Arriving in
Japan he Joined his wife in the north
ern part after which he went to his
old home at Fukuoka ON the island
at the southern end of the kingdom,
Here, almost fifty years to the day
from the time he left home for Tokyo,
he again visited his ancestral home
and met his brothers and sisters. Five
of the family of six are still living.
One sister, who was q child of six when
he left is now grandmother. This
visit marked the first meeting with
another sister who was born after Mr..
Nishiyori left home. 1t was happy
reunion. A rather serious illness oc-
Cured while Mr.. Nlshiyori was visiting