IN 1931 i was transferred to Osaka. Since I had left in 1919, the post had gradually grown in importance and was now to be raised to a Consulate-General. The original proposal was that both the Kobe and the Osaka offices should be under the control of the Consul-General but I formed the opinion that it was better that he should devote all his attention to the Osaka office and that Kobe should remain independent under a Consul. My view was accepted but the solution was not popular with the British community in Kobe which was larger and more important than the British community in Osaka. The leaders of the community often voiced their resentment to me but I used to assure them that, since their main interest was the trade of Osaka, I could be of more use to them if I was closely in touch with the business men of Osaka: my services were always at their disposal as I lived in Kobe. But it was undoubtedly unfortunate that Kobe should be only a Consulate while Osaka was a Consulate-General and after I was transferred to Mukden, the original proposal was adopted.

Relations with Japanese: Osaka Club

I made it my business to keep in touch with the leading Japanese business men in Osaka. This proved a simple matter. During my previous spell there I had been made a member of the Osaka Club and I resumed my membership. It is a club composed of the heads of all the major enterprises in Osaka. I frequently went there to lunch and soon had an acquaintance with most of the members. Since foreigners were rarely seen in the Club and there was little of the spirit of aloofness and cliquishness of the western club, it was not necessary to wait round for introductions but as soon as my face became familiar, the members accepted me as one of themselves.

I must say that the members, most of whom were affluent and held important positions in the business world, set a praiseworthy example of simplicity. Lunch was ‘table d’hôte’ and cost the equivalent of two shillings; practically every one drank water. Long tables were set out in the dining room and members, as they arrived, took the first vacant seat.