Midway (CVA 41) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 100 text:

Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same. Thus Bernard Shaw stated one of the first things the Midway sailor learned about the people of Japan. The people which make up the culture of our nearest neighbor to the West, have de- cidedly different tastes — as well as customs, emotional outlook, mores and reUgious beliefs. Individually and collectively they make a fascinating study for the Western Sociologist (as individually and collectively we make a fascinating study for their sociologists). Individually, the Japanese body houses one of the most complex minds in the world, possibly second only to those of India. You can never be quite certain how he will react to any situation. One time it will be com- pletely practical, the next completely emotion- al. Collectively, the Japanese nation ' s most striking feature is its physical homogeniety — everyone looks alike. Black hair, eyes, and in the case of students, clothes, are found everywhere. And everyone seems to have a complexion only dreamed about by users of Lux.

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In Japan, the Western in- fluence is everywhere, but nowhere as strong as Tokyo. Western-style night clubs, unknown ten years ago, are favorites. Modern subways and rail svstems rush Tokyo ' s 10,000,000 inhabitants to and from Western-style office build- ings. Advertisements, in true U. S. tradition, line the streets, extolling the virtues of pro- ducts all the way from The Pause that Refreshes to I Dreamt I. . . The music com- ing out of the many small Hi- Fi Bars ranges from Beethoven to Berry, covering the complete scale of Western sounds. In fact, during the Midv ay ' s stay, the only popular record to be found in Japanese was Kawaii Baby, sung by that all time Japanese great, Connie Francis. . vie with brassy Western ways . . mm U -. it fn ' S. «-

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The only characteristic (other than physical) tliat seems to be nation-wide in Japan is industry. In any city in the U. S. there are always a few people to be found sitting around. The local checker-player in the one horse town has come down as part of our heritage. But in Japan, idleness seems to be the gravest sin imaginable. Everyone appears to have a job to do and a driving desire to finish it. Unemployment is not only virtually nonexistant, but seems to be unimaginable. for the heart of a people ? J 85 t ' .