APPENDIX II 237 



the inconvenience caused by the existence of numerous small 

 lots belonging to the same proprietor, and scattered over a 

 large area, the Japanese Government, following the example 

 of other countries, has appointed Commissions to effect 

 readjustment of lands. 



A law for the readjustment of lands was passed in 1899 

 and amended in 1909. The law provides for — 



1. The necessary interchange of land and the restriping 

 of lots. 



2. The construction of roads, irrigation works, etc. 



In order to obtain authorisation to form a Syndicate for 

 the readjustment of farm lands it is necessary to obtain the 

 consent of at least half the land-owners in the tract in which 

 the Syndicate intends to work, and these land-owners must 

 represent two-thirds of the land affected. The farms re- 

 striped are exempted from land tax, and special credit 

 institutions are provided to finance them. 



So far as the work has gone, it has resulted in considerable 

 improvements in roads and canals, an increase in rice grow- 

 ing, and the general convenience of all concerned. * 



* " Bulletin of Economic and Social Intelligence " for February, 

 1913, published by the International Institute of Agriculture, Rome, 

 and "Outlines of Agriculture in Japan," pp. 22-3, issued by the 

 Agricultural Bureau, Tokio (1910). 



