— 8 — 



The effect of this new tax on the consumption cannot yet at present 

 be estimated; during the last few weeks the inclination to buy has 

 visibly fallen off, and it would appear that for the present buyers 

 will take up an expectant attitude. It is to be hoped that the 

 excellent results of this year's rice -harvest will exert a beneficial 

 influence on the trade. 



According to the official statistical tables, the value of essential oils 

 imported in Japan during the first six months was: — 



1906 1905 1904 

 147523 yen 125 561 yen 67 997 yen 



This shows sufficiently the large increase in business during the 

 last two years. 



An article in the "Oil and Colourman's Journar, published in London, 

 is interesting and characteristic of the development of the soap-industry 

 which consumes our products. This article states that the most im- 

 portant soap-works of Japan are situated in the neighbourhood of 

 Osaka, and that the value of their output fluctuates between 30000 

 and 300000 yen per annum. The total production amounts to about 

 750000 yen. Of this, about 7O°/ are said to be consumed in Japan 

 itself, whilst the balance is exported to China, Korea, the Philippines, 

 and the West Indies. In spite of the medium quality of Japanese 

 soap, the exports via Osaka and Kobe increase from year to year: 



Toilet Soap Common Soap 



1902 about 168000 yen about 24000 yen 



1903 „ 190000 „ „ 31000 „ 



1904 „ 311000 „ „ 43000 „ 



Although the quantity of the soap imported in Japan during the 

 same years has not fallen off in a marked degree, its value has during 

 that period decreased from 150000 yen to about 105000 yen, i. e. by 

 nearly one third. 



On January I st , 1907, a new edition of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 

 comes into force, of which a translation has unfortunately not yet 

 come to hand, and the critical discussion of which we must therefore 

 postpone until later. The importation of remedies corresponding to 

 the P. J. II will be allowed until the end of next year, provided every 

 package carries a stamp worded in accordance with regulations specially 

 issued. 



With regard to the price-fluctuations in our branch, and the pro- 

 gress in the interesting scientific domain of the essential oils and kindred 

 preparations in the course of the last half-year, the following pages 

 give information which we trust will be of interest in one way or 

 another to everyone of our readers, although some of the commercial 



