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Yarns. The imports of woollen and worsted yarns in 1913 were as follows:-
The situation is clearly revealed in the following figures showing the importe at various periods :-
Woollen and worsted yarns-
United Kingdom
France
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Other countries
-
Total
£
57,500
151,500
624,200
186,000
10,500
-£1,029,700
Articles
Raw cotton, wool, hemp, &c.
Yarns Textiles
Total of yarus and textiles
Average for 1898-1900.
Average for 1908-1910.
1913.
£ 6,280,000
+ 13,800,000
£ 26,500,000
920,000 2,800,000
720,000 3,080,000
1,160,000
2,670,000
3,720,000
3,800,000
3,830,000
!
It will be noted that British yarns were hopelessly beaten by the German, Austrian, and French spinnings. This is accounted for by the fact that the yarn is almost entirely dry mule-spun yarn in which the Continental mills specialise. This yarn is imported to supply the requirements of the large and developing industry in knitted goods, hosiery, &c., such as underwear, socks, &c., and the finest qualities are in demand. It is estimated that the Japanese spend a greater proportion of their income on clothing than does the average Englishman.
A further demand is met from the many mousseline-de-laine mills in the country.
Piece Goods. The piece goods imported in 1913 amounted to well over a million sterling. They were made up as follows:-
Woollen tissues—
Cloths and serges-
Of wool
Cotton mixtured
Flannels
Italian cloths
Mousseline-de-laine
Other woollen tissues
Total
£
491,500
578,300
31,100
14,500
4,900
150,100
-£1,270,400
The imports of woollen goods have doubled in the past 10 years, and it is satisfactory to note that more than 60 per cent. are drawn from the United Kingdom. The bulk trade is in woollen suitings and serges, which are obtained as follows:-
Woollen clothes and serges-
United Kingdom
Germany
Netherlands
Other countries
Total
£
845,800
163,000
25,100
35,900
-£1,069,800
This large trade has been retained largely by the initiative of Bradford and London houses, who, when they saw that the business conducted by the large import houses in Japan tended to decline, sent out their own travellers with wide ranges of samples, who were prepared to deal in small quantities direct with the Japanese dealers and tailors.
The returns for the past 15 years show that, taking both cotton and woollen textiles together, the trade has been practically stationary. There have been very great changes in the character of it, however. Cotton yarns have been completely driven from the market, and a considerable decline is noticeable in cotton piece goods. These diminutions, however, have been offset by a very considerable advance in woollen yarns and by increases in various types of woollen piece goods.
During the whole period, however, Japan's importations of textile raw materials have more than quadrupled, which fact is sufficient to explain the lack of elasticity. in the import trade.
3. Chemicals. (a) Manures.-About 10 per cent. of the entire imports of Japan consists of fertilisers. While the great bulk of these are in the form of bean cake from Manchuria, 1,643,6002. worth of sulphate of ammonia was imported in 1913, and almost the whole of this was derived from the United Kingdom. (25,000. from Australia.) It should be noted, however, that a Mond gas plant, capable of yielding 12 tons of sulphate of ammonia per diem, has been erected at the Fushun mines in South Manchuria, and this plant alone is capable not only of supplying the whole of the requirements of Japan (110,635 tons in 1913), but of securing a large margin for export.
(b) Dyes and Paints are classed together in the Japanese returns, and amounted in 1913 to 1,021,000. Dyestuffs were secured from Germany and Switzerland, and the imports from Germany of synthetic indigo alone amounted to 307,000. British paints are in good demand, but are experiencing severe competition from native productions.
(c) Industrial and Pharmaceutical Chemicals. -1,500,000. in 1913. The indus- trial chemicals were mainly used in the match, glass, paper and soap factories, and a fair proportion came from the United Kingdom.
From the above summary it will be realised that Japan has passed from the ranks of the semi-developed markets of the world into a scientific, developed, highly- protected industrial nation, and this metamorphosis will become more pronounced as years elapse. There is every likelihood that British trade with the country in manu- factured goods will still increase in the future, but it is certain to dovelop more and more in the finer qualities of goods, and in specialities. The greatest openings would appear to be in machinery and plant for the equipment of the new factories of all kinds which will be erected during the next few years.
British Houses in Japan.-While the foreign trade of Japan has increased by leaps and bounds during the past ten years, and amounted immediately prior to the war to almost 140,000,000l. sterling, it must be admitted that the position of the European merchant houses at Yokohama, Kobe and the other ports is becoming more difficult each year. This is almost entirely due to the development of direct trading, not only by the powerful Japanese houses themselves, such as Mitsui & Co., Takata & Co., Okura & Co., and Yonei Shoten, but also by the dealers in the open ports, who are steadily increasing their direct connections with the manufacturers in Europe and America. The leading British firms established in Japan are:
House in Japan.
Samuel Samuel & Co., Ltd. W. M. Strachan & Co., Ltd.
Sale & Frazar, Ltd. Cornes & Co.
-
-
Findlay, Richardson & Co., Ltd.
Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd. Dodwell & Co., Ltd. Butterfield & Swire
L
L. J. Healing & Co., Ltd.
London House.
M. Samuel & Co., 25, Bishopsgate, E.(". W. M. Strachan & Co., 8, Bury Court,
Bury Street, E.C.
Sale & Co., 20, Old Broad Street, E.C. Cornes & Co., 8, Great Winchester Street,
E.C.
Findlay, Richardson & Co., Ltd., West
George Street, Glasgow.
Matheson & Co., Ltd., 3, Lombard Street. Dodwell & Co., Ltd., 24, St. Mary Axe, E.C. John Swire & Sons, Ltd., 8, Billiter
Square, E.C.
Tozer, Kemsley & Fisher, Ltd., 84, Fen-
church Street, E.U.
M X
643
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