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nobody

16 Mar 2015 17:26



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Cu scuzele de rigoare, ultima parte:

   Kevin Kuhne wrote the chapter, 'Japanese Binoculars', for 'Militaerische Fernglaeser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe, und Marine', by Hans Seeger (Hamburg: Seeger, 1996).  A summary of this chapter follows:

   Toko and Nikko produced the largest number of large military binoculars during WWII.  Most eyepieces were variations of the standard 5 element Erfle design, with 60 degree apparent field and low eye relief.  The Japanese bought about 200,000 pounds of optical glass from Schott 1939 - 1944.  External, eyepiece mounted polarizing and haze filters were usually provided, and gas charging ports are found on all models, some with internal dessicant in a silk bag.  The U.S. giant binoculars used during WWII were mostly directly copied from captured Japanese models.
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   Models included:
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   On 20 February, 1947, the U.S. General McArthur signed the document SCAPIN 1535, which required all export items carry to carry the MIOJ mark for 'Made in Occupied Japan'.  (SCAP = Supreme Commaner for the Allied Powers).  Post-war control of Japanese exports was held by U.S. military offices until August, 1949. The MIOJ requirement was in force until SCAPIN 2061, 05 December 1949, (another source places this date at the treaty signed on 08 September, 1951, becoming effective 28 April, 1952).  After one of these dates, 'Made in Japan' or 'Japan' were used.  In 1952, the military occupation of Japan ended.

   The 'J-symbols' (JB and JL followed by a number) were used after November of 1959, for about 30 years, to indicate a product approved by the Japan Binoculars Export Promotion Association.  These marks, about 2mm in height, are usually next to the bridge, between the objectives.  JB, followed by 2 or 3 digits, identifies the maker of the finished binocular, and JE identifies the maker of the metal body.  The J shows a horizontal line from the middle of the J, combining L and J to mean Light Machinery of Japan.  The common oval paper label 'PASSED  JTII' means compliance with the export standards of the Japan Telescopes Inspection Institute.

   Tamron company was founded in November of 1950 as Taisei Optical Equipment Manufacturing, in Urawa, producing cameras and binocular lenses commences 

Japanese manufacturing and marketing businesses were permitted to deduct from their income taxes 80 percent of their income from exports.

   An important part of the history of binocular manufacture in Japan is the highly controlled nature of the business.  It is impossible to understand these circumstances without fluency in Japanese.  A sketch of the situation is found in a 2 page paper, "History of Binoculars, as outlined in Japan".  No author is given, but from the reference to Otsuka Optical, the source can probably be inferred: "From 1955 on, Japan could manage to share 95% of the world market of binoculars.  On the other hand, optical instrument manufacturers made their appearance one after another, going in for an excessive business competition. In January 1955, the Japan Export Binocular Industry Association was established and began demand-and-supply adjustment work (controls on the quantity of shipment, sales price and method) to eliminate the excessive competition, thus giving rise to the appearance of an era of cartels.  It was in those days that Otsuka Optical was born with an allocated production capacity of 200 binoculars a month.  Later, this adjustment work was extended to cover six lines of business, such as trading companies, lenses, molding, barrels, and cases, thus driving Japan's binocular industry into an era of cartels on a full scale."

   "For a further solidification of the cartels, the Japan Binocular Export Projects Association was established in August 1960 to engage in substantial buying and selling.  In March 1961, however, the substantial buying and selling were called off due to the backlog and dwindling fund.  The Association's debts amounted to 500 million Yen.  Without any constructive measures taken, the exports were suspended in April 1961, placing the Japanese binocular industry in the worst condition.  In an attempt to have access to an allocation, businesses purchased 20% of the backlog and shipped them although they were aware that the dealings would increase their deficits.  It is under such circumstances that many businesses went down."
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