European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 6, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine  a Rich nation of poor people by Elaine Kurtenbach associated pressm any economists see  As the world s Rithel nation because of Lac Strong yen. Trade surplus and stockpile of foreign Exchange Many japanese see Ilas a Rich country Lull of poor people  s Banks and companies dominate International lists ils citizens have the highest average income $28,642 a year in 1986 in Dollar terms. And the per Capila Gross Naho Naf product probably will overtake Hal of the United Stales this year. A recent report by Iho Tokai Bank however says living standards lag a behind High prices overcrowding and a Lack of Leisure facilities have led some to question Why  immense Wear la has not translated into a better Liles Lyle for the average japanese. Japan has improved drawl Caffy since he end of the War but individual japanese still Aren l so Well off said so Claro Abe Tamer foreign minister and a top of goal of the governing Liberal democratic parly. An officer Al the foreign ministry still can t invite visiting foreign of Licals to his Homo without Leuling he Gully embarrassed " Middle class workers pay an average $133,333 to $266.666 to buy Liny Homes that usually Lack insulation and Central Healing Many Young parents on Small salaries make do in two room apartments described in one French report As Rabbit hutches and use Public balls food costs 1 5 hocs More on average in  than in the United so alas Luel Light and Waler charges Are 91 percent higher and rent is 66 percent More expensive according to a Survey released last year prices Are so terribly High says Tomoko Hirose. O Tokyo housewife i have Only boys and they eat so much it s very hard to manage a household and i m relatively Well off " land Price increases of Over 80 percent a year m Tokyo have far outpaced the ability of most japanese to buy a House. Millions spend Al Casl 90 i nulls daily each Way. In commuting hell aboard am packed trains some say  s drive to became a world my usual Power has sacrificed living standards Lor the Sake of International economic might Many Young japanese parents on Small salaries have to make do in tiny Rabbit Hutch apartments. Ken Chi Ohmic outspoken social critic and a managing director of Mckesey and co., a Tokyo  firm says fac political of Sjem my have suited a largely Rural population 40 years ago bul ii docs nol respond Tefle clively to the needs of the Urban Middle class. While to percent Cfall japanese live in cities he system gives More weigh 10 Rural voting districts with Lew residents. The government orbits Rice imports and res Lrichs those of cheaper foods. Rice. Is Staple Lood. Sods for $44 for a 22-Pound Sacic in of co compared with $4 Lor a 20-Pound bag in California. Political proles has been limited by several factors. Many japanese look on Loday s hardships As n godsend when compared to the years Dunn and alter world War t when even an electric fan was a luxury in addition Many japanese Don 1 know Aboul living conditions abroad. Most japanese Don l realize thai a Man earning the same 118,000 a year in Milan Italy lives like a King Wilh a car Boal and even a second  Ohmae said. Intense Competition for the same goals a Good education a Job in a Good company and the same for one s children also Mhz Btl protest says Tokyo University professor Shumpei Kumon social problems arc not grave few japanese Are homeless or unemployed violent crime is nol widespread there arc 1 5 murders and 1.9 robberies pc 100,000 Ujj Koplein . Compared to t 1 Homo Idos and 23 9 robberies in the United stalf1 and the japanese have the lowest  muru Lity  and longest life expo Nucy in Iho world 7  for women and 73 g Yuan Tor Man finally there is  s obsession with Cunn sus and Compromise ii the Urban mainly were id impose ils will on the rest of the Natman by culling prices and ending Farmers privileges there could even be civil War. Kumon says Bui  s Dedica cd armies of salaried workers have begun to grumble a study by the Nippon Lita insurance co indicates Hal almost to thirds of 1 000 people polled Lell choir living  were  the most common complainls7 hauling time spell commuting and a Lack of Iron Limo. For Many people. Hie financial squeezes Goring lighter. And Aboul half of 10.000 while Collar workers polled in a labor ministry Survey in april said they could nut save the s1qo.ooo or More they need Lor Rittir Emertt Many now Musl choose Between children and of Merj a Home the Survey said Chirolo Fujikawa a Young father Balling to ,i .15 year mortgage on rvs Small Apar Merit Nordlt of Tokyo says we Don t have a very Good Standard of few info Many people who Don l know How to Mke some l-.ti3 Money Are Pelly unhappy " has  sacrificed living standards in at ail out Effort to become a world Industrial Power the stars and stripes Page 13