ABSTRACT
Those who were anxious for the good name and enduring prosperity of Japan found much to criticise in the manner in which their countrymen encountered prosperity. Buyers abroad were so anxious to get their goods that rejecting shipments was out of the question; nevertheless, there were so many complaints that it was generally realised that in the hurry to get rich manufacturers and exporters were earning their country a very bad name. The inspection of exports in the endeavour to prevent goods below a reasonable standard from being exported was no new thing, and the system was extended in its scope. Unfortunately there were no experts available for such work, which was done with great inefficiency, while the effect of having inspectors was that exporters aimed only at getting the worst possible goods passed as standard. Complaints were many of matches that would not strike, pencils that would not write, soap that would not wash, and a hundred other articles that would not fulfil their proper functions; but orders were repeated at higher and higher prices.
