+------+----------+-------+-------+------------+----------+--------------------+
| | | Operatives. | Quantity | | |
| |Factories.+-------+-------+ produced. | Value. | Remarks. |
| | | Male. |Female.| | | |
+------+----------+-------+-------+------------+----------+--------------------+
| | | | | lb. | £ | Had not Japanese |
| 1897 | 9 | 164 | 109 | 46,256,649 | 300,662 | factories been |
| 1901 | 13 | 2,635 | 1,397 |113,348,340 | 714,094 | established all |
| 1906 | 22 | 3,774 | 1,778 |218,022,434 |1,415,778 | this paper must |
| | | | | | | have been imported.| |
+------+----------+-------+-------+------------+----------+--------------------+
In the field of what may be called minor manufactures--as ceramic
wares, lacquers, straw-plaits, &c.--there has been corresponding
growth, for the value of these productions increased from 1¼ millions
sterling in 1897 to 3½ millions in 1906. But as these manufactures do
not enter into competition with foreign goods in either Eastern or
Western markets, they are interesting only as showing the development
of Japan's producing power. They contribute nothing to the solution of
the problem whether Japanese industries are destined ultimately to
drive their foreign rivals from the markets of Asia, if not to compete
injuriously with them even in Europe and America. Japan seems to have
one great advantage over Occidental countries: she possesses an
abundance of dexterous and exceptionally cheap labour. It has been
said, indeed, that this latter advantage is not likely to be
permanent, since the wages of labour and the cost of living are fast
increasing. The average cost of labour doubled in the interval between
1895 and 1906, but, on the other hand, the number of manufacturing
organizations doubled in the same time, while the amount of their
paid-up capital nearly trebled. As to the necessaries of life, if
those specially affected by government monopolies be excluded, the
rate of appreciation between 1900 and 1906 averaged about 30%, and it
thus appears that the cost of living is not increasing with the same
rapidity as the remuneration earned by labour. The manufacturing
progress of the nation seems, therefore, to have a bright future, the
only serious impediment being deficient capital. There is abundance of
coal, and steps have been taken on a large scale to utilize the many
excellent opportunities which the country offers for developing
electricity by water-power.