ing between the East and West, are asked to telephone me at 42-1179 for an appointment.

Tokyo

Nov. 12, 1959

To the Editor:

Dr. Hitoshi Aiba

Dr. Hitoshi Aiba sought to put the record straight concerning his research on some members of the foreign community in Japan when he wrote his lengthy letter, published in your paper under the title, "Homosexuality Among Foreigners." It is always gratifying to see such continued striving for scientific accuracy. I sympathize with Dr. Aiba, for he seems to be plagued by the inability of the press to report his views accurately.

Thus, he speaks of "other English language publications" whose reporters "distorted the meaning of the original article" which appeared in the Oct. 10 issue of The Japan Times. It would seem that even The Japan Times fails in accuracy in reporting Dr. Aiba's views, for the key word "Alien" does not appear in Dr. Aiba's letter of Nov. 2 in which he refers to the Oct. 10 article on "Homosexual Rate High Among (Alien) Residents Here." Surely, Dr. Aiba did not omit this word in his letter of Nov. 2!

Dedicated, like Dr. Aiba, to that science which "knows no national boundaries," I would like to ask for further clarification from Dr. Aiba.

First, what is the scientific evidence justifying the statement that "normal and wholesome" foreign residents are "not interested in coming into close contact with Japanese?"

Secondly, how is it that Dr. Aiba in his Nov. 2 letter refers to the subjects of his research as "those who do know the Japanese mind intimately" whereas in his interview with Patrick Killen, reported in the Oct. 21 issue

of The Mainichi, he refers to the same subjects as doing "a very poor job" of "submerging themselves in the Japanese culture." Has Mr. Killen failed to report Dr. Aiba accurately?

Thirdly, is it scientific to dismiss objections against inadequate sampling techniques with the reminder that depth interviewing is very timeconsuming? The objection should be answered in truly scientific fashion by disclaiming any desire or intention to extend the conclusion from depth interviews with 60 volunteer subjects to a larger population.

Fourthly, is there evidence that the "homosexual population is almost infinitesimal" among Japanese? I have no intention of disputing Dr. Aiba's contention to this effect, but I would be interested in the type of evidence he adduces for this rather sweeping generalization.

As things now stand, which of the two following statements is closer to the facts? 1. The rate of homosexuality is particularly high among Americans studying Japanese literature. 2. The rate of homosexuality is higher among a small group of volunteer American informants, some of whom are studying Japanese literature, than it is among a larger population of noninformants?

Like Dr. Aiba, I too am interested in "increased understanding between the East and West." It is this mutual interest which leads me to hope that Dr. Aiba will hew closely to the canons of recognized scientific procedure as he continues his valuable research and that the press will not distort his findings.

Tokyo

Nov. 25, 1959

My Dear Dr. Aiba:

John Blewett

Friends of mine are traveling in Japan. They sent me a clipping of

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