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non-Western elements, such as lifetime employment, promotion according to age, familial management principles, and others. While not all traditional aspects of Japanese businesses were worthwhile, at least it held human and social elements lacking in American business organizations. Human beings must engage in productive activity in order to exist, but precisely because human beings participate in that activity, productivity must not be allowed to become non-human or inhumane. I recalled my job at the lumberyard at Fukagawa in Tokyo. The work there had been many times more severe and physically taxing than slinging beans in the factory at Seabrook. But that work had been made bearable because of the human warmth and concern shared by co-workers and by the owners ofthat business. In comparison, what could be said about Seabrook? I could only conclude that at a fundamental ~evel, over which we as workers had no control, something was definitely wrong and was distorting all relationships. Those Who Steal-Those Who are Stolen From The first two or three months at Seabrook were truly difficult. We had left the detention camp with only meager funds and almost immediately had to see to the survival of our family. If! had been alone it might not have been so difficult, but with a family ofseven, even small miscellaneous expenses added up everywhere . Since we were making a completely new start in the outside world, buying such necessities as pots and pans, beds, tables, dishes and cups, clothing, etc., added up to a staggering amount. Ofcourse, daily needs such as food, heat and lighting had to be taken care ofon a continuing basis. We considered every purchase carefully and put offgetting items we could manage without; that was the only way we could survive that initial trying period. Although still difficult, by winter our lives had stabilized. As winter progressed, our work hours were shortened until, finally, the factory closed down for its annual winter break. Our lives seemed to beless desperate. By that time, my wife and Ihad becomeaccustomed to ourjobs and ourcircumstances. The children had adjusted to their school and the children's center. A certain rhythm had become established in our daily lives. Although still unsure about many things in ourcommunity, we had come to know the town ofSeabrook. Our family could now breathe with a small measure of normality. One day, we went to Bridgeton to purchase some clothing. It was the firstAmericantown we could freely explore and come to know. We 188-HIGASHIDE had been in America for three years, but had never fully experienced a "normal" American environment. At that time Bridgeton was a small country town ofabouflO,OOO people. In spite ofits size, it served as thejudicial and administrative center of Cumberland County. Near the county office buildings, the streets were lined with a variety of shops. The people there were unhurried and relaxed; the town seemed to be peaceful and had an air of being long-established and settled in its ways. What first amazed us as we walked along its streets was the seemingly unending variety ofmerchandise available. Atthe clothing stores and in the markets, items were stacked in enormous quantities and our eyes opened wide at the many types ofitems offered. My wife and I were also amazed to find that, despite the large size ofthe shops, only a few employees were needed. A good example was Montgomery Ward which, based on catalog sales, had established a chain ofstores throughout the country. In its large store, an astonishing variety of merchandise was displayed. Many customers entered and left, but it had only three or four employees stationed at cashier's counters near its entrance. Customers freely inspected items, took them to the counter, made their payments, and left. I looked intently at the system and thought to myself, "So, this is what is called 'self-service.'" Even some ratherexpensive items were placedon displaycounters and shelves where the customers could handle them freely. Ifit had been Peru, I am sure the merchandise would have been pocketed by thieves and the store would have been emptied in less than a week. I was astounded and felt much admiration; I felt that this was only possible in America where private property was respected. I had heard that in America property was considered to be sacred, butI had not even dreamed that the capitalistic ethic would be so thoroughly instilled as this. In Peru, the accepted attitude was that those who were stolen from...

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