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MADAME BUTTERFLYAmericansContrary to the tragic ending ol the well knownformerJapan, watches as Gl-husband Walter Lutz, Clevelandsons on how things are done in the United States. The girls are Bonnie18 months.(VP-Acme Telephoto)MADAME BUTTERFLY’S DOING FINEEDITOR’S NOTE: The opera“Madame Butterfly” is beingsung at the Metropolitan Opera this season. It is the story of a marriage between an American naval lieutenant and a Japanese girl—a story that is being repeated these days between members of the American occupation forces and Japanese girls. This dispatch describes what is happening.BY EARNEST HOBERECHTTOKYO, Jan. 9—(U.P. You probably recall the opera “Madame Butterfly” in which the poor little Japanese girl committed hari-kari for the love of an American naval lieutenant. Save your tears. Butterfly is doing okay these days in the romance department.She is doing too well, in fact, to suit some of the American girls who work for the U. S. occupation forces and, on the side, keep their eyes open for a potetntial husband. One of them complained bitterly the other day: “Whathave these Japanese girls got that we haven’t got?Since 1945, there have been 6454 marriages between Japanese girls and American citizens in the occupation forces. So far, 3240 war brides have left Japan to take up life in the United States with their husbands.Most of these marriages were between Japanese girls and American citizens of Japanese ancestry —second generation Japanese born in the United States and known as “Nisei.” Some of these men are former members of Hawaii’s “Go For Broke” battalion which made such a fine combat record in World War II.ing of all concerned and gets a tremendous amount of help from the American community here.BETTER LIVING99THE ANSWERThe answer is: “Six thousand wedding rings.”ewe** e*7asAnytime 29c plus taxThree Features in ColorJapanese girls are attracted to the Americans because they offer a higher standard of living. The high marriage rate has brought some complaints from Japanese men that the Americans are “spoiling our women by treating them too democratically.”Many American soldiers like Japanese girls because “they are so thoughtful and considerate,” and they recite an old saying: The ideal way of life is to have a western style house, a Chinese cook and a Japanese wife.”The occupation authorities have set up several obstacles to Ameri-can-Japanese marriges in an attempt to prevent over-hasty action. Health certificates are required, permission must be obtained from officials and the man and girl must pass an interview with a chaplain. Once married,thn AAimlo hoc the hlncc.•iHOLD BRIDE SC HOOLSThe' Red Cross and the wives of American personnel conduct bride schools” to help prepare the Japanese girls for life in the United States.The Defense Dept, has announced plans to bring in a movie showing how? an American and his Japanese wife get along in the United States. The actors are Walter Lutz, veteran of the U. S. occupation forces, and the former Miwako Furuki. They have two children and operate a bamboo specialty shop in Cleveland.Not all the marriages have been successful. Some of the girls have returned to Japan, complaining they were over-sold on the United States. Their husbands weren’t millionaires and they had to do their own housework. The most widely publicized marriage that broke up was between the top-ranking Japanese movie actress, Misuko Miura and Lieut. George H. Goda. They went to the LTnited States in 1948, but things didn’t work out and they parted. Mitsuko is now back in Japan trying to make a comeback.*-4429THF R(1WI GAMK i
Newspaper Details
Long Beach Independent
Long Beach, California, US
Thu, Jan 10, 1952
Page 34
Full Page
Clipped by
Wilmette P.
IL, USA 27 Apr 2023
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