26 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
Trade with the different parts of the world, compared with that of 1912, showed . 
the following results: — 
Exports Imports } _ Exports Imports 
Asia . + 284% -+ 34 °%o America .. +8,1°% + 5°%o 
Europe +28,1°%o + 7 °%o Other parts +1 °%o + 14°%o. 
It follows from these figures that the largest absolute increase in the imports of 
Japan has been from Asiatic countries, Asia, moreover, being the only part of the 
world of which the increase in imports to Japan has been greater than the increase 
in exports from that country. Therefore, both in respect of imports and exports, Asia 
still occupies the first position in Japanese commerce. Europe comes next, and has 
outpaced America as a market for the sale of Japanese produce, Ae now taking 
third place. 
The table below shows the increases and decreases (in million of Yen) of the 
principal articles of export and import: — 
Exports Imports 
Rawesiiki. a2: 2h e185 66 Raw cotton . . . . . +30,75 
Cotton -yarn 22-0445 404 SRAFj82 Sugar (008.0. Oo ee a eee 
Cotton goods + §2 Rice... so. 02) es 
Habutage . + 7,32 Oil cakes... . ito eas 
Coal . + 3,07 Wheat... 2) "4 See 
Copper . + 2,72 Machinery... .).. 0. 0. (apes Byad 
Wood + 2,2 Woollen goods. . . .' + 3,57 
Woven goods + 1,6 Pig iron 9.) 20. 2 See 
Porcelain . + 1,14 Hemp .0 2.0 oo Gees 
Fish oil ha Bee eile Iron tubes, 8c. <0) 0s) )5 eee 
Oat 8 Al YR GPP aE ao Rails and iron sheets . — 2,95 
Straw plait — 0,6 Nails.) 0.004 4 (oO eres 
Camphor 7 (0761 Pétroleum..”.. >. 3. ? 093 ie ee 
Wool! 2 ek / Dale 
Skins and Hides 2 OOS 
Grey shirtings, Printed 
cottons 2.02.4 J04 jee 
The press of Japan is very satisfied with the results of last year’s trade. It is 
pleased with the “record” figures shown, and especially with the fact that these have 
been achieved in spite of many untoward events. Among these are included the consti- 
tutional struggle in the spring, the Balkan troubles and the tightness of money in 
Europe, the repeated fall in the rate of exchange of silver, the entanglements of Japan 
with California, the strike of weavers in the United States, the banking-difficulties with 
India, and, foremost of all, the revolutionary struggle in China. A few papers again 
indulge in lamentations over the increase in the excess of imports; the Government 
organ, “Chuo”, however, consoles them with justice with the reflection that in spite of 
these complaints, which are heard afresh every year, the commercial turnover increases 
annually. This paper also stigmatizes as absurd the statement which would connect 
the excess of imports over exports with the dwindling of the cash-reserve in London. 
So far as the excess of imports over exports (called “the passive commercial balance”’) 
is concerned, it cannot be said until detailed figures are available what are the figures 
1) Ostasiatischer Lloyd 1914, No. 3. 
