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instruction to those aspiring to engage in industry, agriculture, commerce, etc. There are industrial schools, agricultural schools, and commercial schools; and in each there are three grades—lower, intermediate, and higher.

The number of the State higher technical schools is seven—two agricultural, two commercial, and three industrial. In 1903 there were 2,972 students, 509 graduates, and 236 instructors. The expenses amounted to £80,468. Technical schools of intermediate and lower grades are chiefly established and maintained by prefectures, counties, or cities, and granted a certain allowance of pecuniary aid from the national Treasury, which amounts to £32,000 for the current year.

Candidates for admission to technical schools of intermediate grade must be over fourteen years of age, and have received eight years’ education in primary schools. The minimum course of study extends over six months, the maximum over four years. There are also technical supplementary schools.

The technical schools in Japan comprise at present all possible kinds of technical schools, and each kind has three grades; indeed, it may be said that technical education in Japan has made steady progress. No expense is spared on the part of the Government to encourage the development of technical education. In 1902 there were 392 technical schools, of which 221 were technical supplementary schools, with 34,665 students, 5,633 graduates, and 1,986 instructors. The expenses amounted to £228,214.

In addition to those above mentioned, various schools of a miscellaneous character may be established by public communities or by private individuals, with the approval of the supervising authorities. In 1902 there were 1,474 miscellaneous schools, most of them being private establishments, with 96,184 students, 18,685 graduates, and 4,938 teachers. There were 15 blind and dumb schools, with 797 pupils, in 1902. Kindergartens in the same year amounted to 254, with 23,671 infants. The number of libraries does not exceed 50. There are very few at present, but it is highly probable more will be gradually established.