Evening star., 1942-08-02
Population Pressure
in japan
Bu Frederic J. Hnsktn.

she has gained in the war, even If she
does not make further successful aggres-
sions it is predicted that in time great
voluntary or forced migrations Will
result. This is because of Japan's popu-
lation pressure on land, making farm
tenancy there the most acute in all the
world As an index to this land rents
In Japan are seven times higher than
in England, three and one-half times
those of Germany, four times those OF
Italy. and three times such rents in
Denmark and the Netherlands. The
average farm which tenant in Japan
cultivates is slightly more than one acre.
Until very recent years the farm prob
lem was considered local in character
whether it was found in given COM
munity of a country, country as
whole or confined to one world area.
However, within the past two decades
there have been ever-increasing signs
that the farm problem Is labor prob
lem. business problem and an inter-
national problem. In the case OF Japan
the farm problem has long been a COM
bination of business and lnterna-
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it,
The population pressure in Japan as
it relates to the rural districts is in most
respects more serious than where large
numbers are congregated in cities This
situation is deplorable, for although
feudalism is no longer found In Japan,
the concept that a farmer should main
tain a low standard of living still pre-
walls. A gradual uprising by thousands
Of japanese tenant farmers against this
concept of their existence has brought
greater political pressure on the ruling
class in recent years. Sundry attempts
have been made to alleviate con.
ditions. but the progress so far has
been neither extensive nor satisfac-
tory. The net result was that for
this and other reasons Japan decided
on expansion, and many believe, II, the
land she has gained Is not wrested from
her, tens Of thousands of Japanese
| tenant farmers will be sent out OF the
homeland and scores Of persons living
in newly gained territory will be expelled
| to make room for the japanese, or con-
| ditions made so unbearable they will be
forced to migrate elsewhere.
| In recent years the Japanese govern
ment, as we'll as selfish japanese land
lords, have conceded that the average
income of the Japanese farm tenant is
below the subsistence level. Yet while
landowners have conceded this, they
have been the ones who have prevented
the adoption and effective application
of most OF the remedies which were
designed by the government to help re-
lieve the situation. This is not strange.
for it must be remembered that the
land-owning class in Japan, either di-
rectly or indirectly, has most powerful
voice in national affairs. Many of them
are numbered among the war lords.
Japan's farm tenancy is struggle Of
great population pressure against
very limited land area. Tenants and
part-time tenants rent from landlords
total Of more than 1900 900 acres giving
the average tenant farm approximately
18 acres. In the United States Is fami-
lies, or some 125 persons, are often
found on a 4,o00-acre farm, whereas in
Japan farm of such size would accom-
modate some $500 families representing
on an average about 14,50o persons.
The number OF large farms in this
country has been diminishing for the
past so years, but there are still a few
In the 30,000-acre class, a large number
containing $4,000 or more acres each,
and many containing 5000 acres. There
are no such estates in Japan, and even
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few, while those who own IS or 100 acres
are classed among the great landowners.
The middle class in the United States for
the most part consists OF people who
own farms ranging from 100 to 800 acres
or more; but to own IS acres in Japan
places the owner In the middle class.
The last available statistics on Japan
show only 3,547 land owners with more
than Is acres each. Looking at the
Japanese land picture from another
angle, half OF the farmers own only 8
per cent Of the land under cultivation.
and per cent Of the farmers own so per
cent of it.
The tenant farmer in the United States
IS rated among the underprivileged. But
in most instances he is furnished q
house, tools. seed, and is otherwise cap
italized. In Japan, however, no such
system obtains, for the tenant not only
furnishes his house, all capital and equip
ment, but must pay all land assessments
and dues, of which there are several.
being relieved only of the land tax.
Moreover, the Japanese farm tenant
gives more than half Of his crop to the
landlord, either in cash or the same
percentage in kind, whereas the tenant
farmer in the United States pays the
landlord about 25 per cent Of the value
Of his crop, either in cash or crop, ac-
cording to the rental agreement
Some years ago Japan set out to pur-
chase certain amount Of land each year
to be resold to tenants on long term
basis at a low interest rate. The first
appropriation amounted to less than
$1o,0000 900. and over period Of Ave years
this was increased to about s220 0O0, 900.
but since landlords held out for higher
prices for their holdings, only $4,000
acres were acquired, or less than 5 per
cent OF the total acreage rented by
tenants.
The Japanese tenant farmer is not
farmer in the same sense as the tenant
farmer in the United States. The JalA--
nese land renters are mere gardeners.
and, with q great population increase.
especially among this class, it is clear