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Japan produces very little iron, but her large interest in the Han-Yah-Ping Coal and Iron Company of China enables her to secure large and increasing supplies. Prior to the war these were shipped from the mines at Tayeh in the form of iron ore, but blast furnaces are being erected there, and the pig iron is now being shipped principally to the Government steel works at Wakamatsu and Muroran.
The extension of shipbuilding, machine making, and iron and steel manufacturing generally, has been most rapid, Japan now constructs battleships of super-dread- nought types entirely in her own yards, and relies on foreign countries merely for the more specialised machinery and high grade steel-work. While the growth of machine shops has been very great, the import of foreign machinery has also increased, the industrial advancement of the country having been so rapid. In 1911 there were 1,059 factories manufacturing machines and tools, and the number has considerably increased since that time. The following table showing the values of the imports and exports of machinery and metal manufactures in 1901 and in 1911 clearly illus- trates the progress made :-
1901 1911
Machinery.
Import
Export.
Metal Manufactures.
Machinery.
Metal Menufacturer.
£
1,670,000 4,400,000
£ 590,000 1.220,000
£
105,000 $65,000
£ 140,000 260,000
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Lacquer Ware.--Japanese lacquer has been famed throughout the Far East for centuries, and one has only to see the magnificent shrines at Nikko and elsewhere to perceive the high standard of Japanese lacquer work. The principal centres of the lacquer industry are the town of Kurce, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Okinawa. there were 6,820 workshops, employing 10,317 workers; the production was 880,000Z., In 1914 of which 90,100, was exported, mainly to the United Kingdom, France, United States, Germany, and China.
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(4) Miscellaneous Industries. The following miscellaneous industries are important in view of the rapidly increasing export of their products, mainly to the China market :-
Matches.-Japanese matches pervade the Far East from Singapore to Yokohama, and have attained a high standard of excellence. In 1914 the total production amounted to 1,560,000, with an average value per gross of 317 rin (about 8d.). The exports were 1,128,2001, with an average value of 280 rin per gross (74d.), and were shipped mainly to China, although the whole of the Far East looks to Japan for its matches.
Brushes. The output of brushes in 1914 was as follows:-
Tooth brushes
Hair brushes
Other kinds
Total
200,000
51,000
76,000
327,000
It is noteworthy that one or two British manufacturing engineers have during recent years opened their own works in Japan in order to come within the tariff wall, and also to secure the benefits of the cheap labour, &c., in order to be in a position to compete in Far Eastern markets.
(3) Ceramics.-Porcelain and Earthenware.--The recent development of pottery in Japan, both from an artistic and also from an industrial point of view, has been conspicuous. Between 1901 and 1911 the production doubled. Japanese potteries may be classified under three heads, common pottery, enamelled faience, and hard porcelain. It is in the last two categories that Japanese productions have become tamous. Tea and coffee sets, apparently modelled after the Delft fashion, are now turned out by numerous factories at Aichi, while the centres for the finest ceramics and most artistic workmanship are Hizen, Satsuma, Kyoto, and Kaga.
In 1914 there were 5,540 porcelain and earthenware factories, employing 29,964 workers, and with a total production of 1,600,000. The exports were valued at 603,7001.
Enamel Wares.-Japanese cloisonné is celebrated throughout the world for artistic design and fine workmanship. The output is exceedingly limited, however, and the main centres are Owari, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
The
Glass. The first modern glass factory was established by the Government in 1876 as a model factory, and was transferred to private ownership at a later date. Some five years ago a large establishment under joint Japanese and Belgian manage- ment was founded, but, unfortunately, was closed down before completion. Asabi Glass Co., of Hyogo, is, perhaps the largest factory in Japan. Ordinary articles for table use, lamps and chimneys, bottles, plates, &c., are now produced, not only for the home demand but for export to China,
In 1914 there were 163 factories, employing 9,458 workers, with a total output of 800,0001. The exports were:--
Glass bottles
Other manufactures
£
117,000 123,000
Portland Cement.-The manufacture of Portland cement has made enormous strides of late years, with the result that the import of foreign cement has ceased, and there is a surplus for export. The principal works are the Asano Cement Works and the Onoda Cement Co. The exports of cement in 1914 aggregated 41,577 tons, of a value of 105,500%.
Of this production no less than 275,100. worth were exported. Clocks.-Japanese clocks find a ready sale in China, and compete with the German and Austrian articles. The production in 1914 was valued at 92,000, of which 82,0001. was for the export trade.
Cotton Umbrellas.The value of cotton umbrellas exported in 1914 (mainly to China) was 173,300. This consisted of frames made in Japan and covered with imported umbrella cloth.
Toys. The total value of the output in 1914 was 170,000!.
Paper and Paper Manufactures. The production of both European and Japanese paper is
a considerable industry in Japan, and in 1914 480,400. worth was exported,
In that year the manufacture of European paper was as follows:-
Number of factories
Capital invested
Number of machines
Number of hands employed Production, Quantity
Value
38 2,700,000%.
360 7,906 428,904,522 lbs. 2,500,000l.
Japanese paper-making employed 48,960 families, and the total output was valued at 1,900,0007.
Sugar Refining--Japanese sugar is competing seriously with the product of the Hong Kong refineries in the China market. The sugar cane is grown in Japan proper, and also very largely in the island of Formosa, which now provides a large share of the supplies. The total exports of refined sugar in 1914 were 78,132 tone, valued at 1,264,100%. The paid-up capital of the sugar refineries exceeded two millions.
Tea-Tea growing and preparing was formerly a most important agricultural industry in Japan, but the development of India and Ceylon has caused a considerable decline of the industry, and the export trade is now practically confined to the shipments of green teas to the United States and Canada. The total production in 1914 was 1,500,000, and the exports 1,297,0001. Of the shipments abroad, the
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