ASIA: JAPAN. 407 



OUTLOOK FOR AMERICAN PAPER. 



I see no reason why the paper manufacturers of the United States 

 can not sell printing paper in Japan, if they solicit orders in the 

 manner adopted by other foreign exporters. 



CHARLES B. HARRIS, 



NAGASAKI, May 12, 1899. Consul. 



YOKOHAMA. 

 IMPORTS. 



During the latter part of the year 1898, in consequence of the 

 increased import tariff taking effect January i, 1899, unusually large 

 purchases of foreign paper were made, and the market became, and 

 is still, overstocked, the prices for common news or printing paper 

 now being about 5 sen (2.49 cents) per pound, while mechanical- 

 ground pine pulp is selling for about 3 sen (1.49 cents) per pound. 

 Dealers inform me that there will be no improvement in prices here 

 until stocks are worked off. Statistics just published by the Japa- 

 nese customs authorities furnish me with the following values of 

 imports of printing paper: 



1896 ; $361, 718 



1897 428, 478 



1898 i, 141, 607 



Of this there came from 



United States $443, 302 



Germany 302, 863 



Great Britain 225, 699 



Belgium 97,397 



Austria 69, 604 



Several complaints affecting large shipments of American print- 

 ing paper have been brought to my notice, and have formed the basis 

 of claims and surveys. Improper covering and variance from orders 

 in the matter of weights are the principal shortcomings alleged in 

 these cases. 



About 15 mills are now in operation in Japan, turning out this 

 grade of paper at 5 sen (2.49 cents) per pound and a better grade 

 for book printing at about 8^2 sen (4.233 cents) per pound. These 

 concerns are insufficient to supply the domestic demand, but their 

 prices have to be competed with. New mills are being erected, and 

 paper-making machinery has been imported (nearly all from the 

 United States and Great Britain, in about equal quantities from 

 each) to the value of $87,312 in 1896, $376,997 in 1897, and $25,168 

 in 1898. 



