Evening star., 1935-05-12
Trade Threat of Japan

Japan's reconstruction of the water
system Of Mexico City, involving
credit. won by bid from American
competitors 1t makes understands
Bile the Japanese demand for an in
terest in the new Nicaraguan canal!
Some American newspaper men could
not bring themselves to take this seri-
ously, but japanese pressure caused
Gen. Jose Moncado to point to the
treaty giving the United States mo-
nopoly on the route, and make the
statement: I'VE exist under the
American sun and not under the sun
of Asia"
Last year the new financing Of in
dustrial enterprises by the Bank Of
Japan amounted to $1,000, 900. 600
and there is no federal reconstruction
finance corporation in Japan looking
for means to put out money! A sub
Stantial portion of this went into over
seas investments. Japan's earnings
abroad are already sufficient, accord
ing to the department of finance yearly
statement for 1884, to make up the
deficit in her trade balance. This is
the pattern followed in the growth Of
Britains world economic empire.
Takahashi Smiles at Progress.
All this new expansion takes place
under the eagle eye of 89-year -old Jiro
Takahashi, Japanese minister of f.
nance. And he smiles as he sees 1t.
For so years ago, after he had got back
to Japan from an experience AZ
laborer in California truck gardens, he
conducted the first attempt OF Japan
to enter the list of exploiting nations.
1t was mining venture-significant
in South America-which turned out
a complete fiaSco because a German
agent had sold to the Japanese noun
tains in which there was no gold.
Takahashi sold his home in Toxic to
get his Japanese miners home; now he
is the god of wealth"
This same TakahaShi founded
Japan's patent Office, and a few
months ago spoke two hours on the
radio, celebrating its fiftieth year. He
described the many original inventions
filed since Japans "sge of invention"
began about 10 years ago. but coun-
seled that attempts at new ideas be
postponed until Japan is mistress of
the worlds trade" and asked Japanese
inventors to concentrate for the pres
ent on cheapening all present mass
production processes.
How do they do it? 1t is delicate
growth: Trade profits turning into
investments; markets into economic
empire. 1t might be easily upset.
But the world saw England develop
by the same process from Europe's
most poverty-stricken country into
the worlds richest. Her people were
miserable and oppressed and worked
under conditions worse than slavery
while her industry and banks were
building, but they remained loyal; and
the parallel exists in Japan. Wealth
Is accommodating in Japan. Last year
about 80 Of her industrialists earned
more than 100000 yen and Q or 10
more than 5000. 900 each. The trans
fer of wealth from India at the crucial
moment when capital was greatly
needed helped England. Japan wishes
to make China her India.
England did not get into any losing
wars Regarding this, japanese in
dustrialists take careful note. Their
apprehension Is expressed by one of
the most prominent Baron Seinosuke.
Go: There are two ways. One
is to conquer foreign markets. The
other is to turn producers into con-
sumers. The best way of de-
feating increasingly acute compete
ton is to make ones self safe by &C
quiring markets and territory Of sne's
own. 1t Is In this that the danger Of
war hesI"