In China and Japan, man power is very cheap, and primitive equipment is still used, which we with our highly paid man power would not consider using at all. Here we see a balancing scale in use, with two men taking the places of supporting posts.
The empire of Japan consists of a chain of islands on the east coast of Asia; it also includes the peninsula of Chosen (Korea). The islands have a combined area about the same as that of California, and a population more than half as large as that of the United States. The Japanese belong to the yellow race. Like the Chinese, they were isolated, and developed a civilization very different from that of the white people in the Mediterranean region and western Europe. They lived chiefly as farmers, gardeners, and fishermen, and there in the midst of beautiful surroundings of wooded hills and snow-capped mountains rising above the grass and wild flowers of the lowlands, they became lovers of nature and a most artistic people. Until the middle of the last century Japan was closed to all intercourse with the nations of the Western World. But in 1854 Commodore Perry of the United States Navy persuaded the Japanese to enter into relations with our country. This was the beginning of a remarkable change in Japan. Little by little the people took on some of the ways of Western civilization; modern methods of manufacture replaced primitive methods; more machinery was used; steel works were constructed; science was applied to agriculture and to industry; Japan became a great military and naval power. The Japanese began also to colonize the opposite mainland, and between 1894 and 1905 Japan fought first China and later Russia, finally obtaining possession of the peninsula of Chosen.
No such national furore for education has ever been seen elsewhere as that which has gripped the mind of Japan. Japan proper had a population of 59,138,900 as reported October 1, 1924. At the same time her school enrollment from kindergarten through the university was given as 8,221,615. Over a million and a quarter complete elementary school work each year. There are sixteen colleges and universities, five being imperial universities. The largest of these--Tokyo Imperial University--had a student body of 5,283 and 417 faculty members in the autumn of 1924.
This consists of a hammock swung from a bamboo pole that rests on the shoulders of the bearers. Observe the platform on top for baggage. This method of carrying is used in particular on roads too steep for rickishas. The kago or palanquin is the oldest style of carriage in Japan.
According to the Road Law of 1919, roads are divided into five classes: national, perfectural, district, city, and town and village. The mileage of these roads totals more than 300,00 miles.
In methods of teaching much attention is given to memorizing lessons from books, without sufficient practical work. The "Project Method" doesn't have the vogue in Japan that is has in the U.S.
The Japanese girl may pursue her education along lines on full equality with her brother, and just as far as she chooses; but there is no real co-education. Schools for girls are many, with a curriculum based on that of foreign nations, and often conducted by foreigners or by foreign-trained teachers.
