Evening star., 1948-10-01
LIFE IN JAPAN.


From. Mrs. c. M. F. Alerandria.)
For Mrs. E. q. O., Rumson, N. J..
My husband, (also Army Signal
Corps myself and daughter re-
turned from Japan one year ago and
I certainly envy you your coming
visit. The country and people are
fascinating beyond description and
I enjoyed every single moment Of
the year I lived there and would not
hesitate to return for one moment If
possible. We lived fourteen miles
from Tokyo, near Camp Drake. 1st
Cavalry Division) headquarters.
If your husbands orders show his
destination as Yokohama there is
q possibility that he will be stationed
anywhere in Japan, Korea or other
nearby areas. However, If you are
stationed in the Tokyo o-Yokahama
area the following conditions will
apply:
Any electrical equipment will be
fine, especially if you are going to
live in an army dependent housing
area. If you draw a Japanese house
you may find that their type OF
plugs differ from ours. The ones
in my Japanese house did differ
but fortunately I was able to have
a few American type wall sockets
installed. Take your appliances.
One way or another, you'll be able
to use them.
Your furniture, If army issue, will
not be bamboo but will be japanese
constructed and conform to our type
furniture. All army issue furniture
and electrical equipment are Jap
anese made but follow American
plans. My house was partly army
issue and partly Japanese furniture
which had been left by the owners.
Materials in limited quantities are
available in the Post Exchange in
both Yokohama and Tokyo. They
are generally rationed Gas is almost
everything) and I never saw any
drapery material. You can purchase
1t in japanese stores but their prices
are prohibitive. It is difficult to
tell you what to do about this. 1t
all depends on the type of house
you draw. Housing areas are min
iature U. S. AS but Japanese houses
require a little Imagination. Per-
sonally. stuck to linens, glassware,
books and personal items and came
through fine. An electric stove, ice
box, toaster, electric percolator, waf-
f1e iron, iron, silverware, dishes and
kitchenware were all issued to me-
You need wet weather clothes. The
rainy seasons last approximately six
weeks in the spring and fall. You
need warm clothes for winter as it
becomes bitter cold, and it Is hot
in summer.
II you have an automobile in good
condition, take it.
Take mail order catalogue. It
will be invaluable.
Clothing Is available in limited
quantities. However, I understand
that situation has improved recently.
I found it necessary to send to the
States for children's shoes and
clothes. Incidentally, formal cloth
ing is a must.
There is no fresh milk and the
eggs are cold storage. Canned and
powdered milk are used. The food
is definitely adequate but there is
not much variety.
Take de-moisters. The rainy sea-
son is deadly for mildew.
Be sure to take extra stockings,
cosmetics and plenty of thread, pat
terms, and sewing articles. {.
In conclusion, would advise TAX
ing everything you have except fur
niture. The army in Japan Is won-
derful to their dependents and I'm
sure you'll be issued anything you
need for your house. And you'll
have wonderful time. Servants are
available I'VE had five) and they
take wonderful care of American
children. The majority Of cooks are
excellent I hope my information
will be useful to you.
Bon voyage!
WINTER BREAKFASTS?
(From Mrs. c. w. f., Annanddle.)
I