The Social and Ethical Value of the Family System in Japan

In the May number of the Shin Koron appears an interview with Dr. Junjiro Takakusu, the Director of the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages, on the subject "The Family Unit of Japan and the Individual Unit of the Occident." Dr. Takakusu's eminence and his long residence in Great Britain make his utterances noteworthy. While his opinions in this interview are at some points based upon what seem to a Westerner insufficient knowledge or observation, yet on others he makes keen observations which Occidentals may well take to heart. The interview in substance is as follows: Japan emerged from the Russo-Japanese war with a reputation among the powers which can hardly be enhanced. She has, thereby, caused a readjustment in the balance of power throughout the world. But she has furthermore made it certain that no power will dare to attack her single-handed within the next, say, fifty years. Before the war, Japanese bonds of a face value of Yiooo never brought more than Y7oo, but now the market price has risen to above that figure. Before the war, there was quite a party in England that looked with suspicion upon the Anglo-Japanese alliance, but which now feels that the alliance is one of the strongest anchors of England's position. Formerly some English magazines were not so much in favor of Japan, but they have all flopped over and are supporting Japan, heart and soul. Not only that, but Englishmen seem to be inclined to take lessons of Japan along the line of education and military arts, e. g. Mr. Sawayanagi, the Director of General Education in the Japanese Department of Education, has been invited to London to lecture on Japanese education, and the English Red Cross Society has sent Miss McCall to